Introducing the "Callies Comrades Legends"
This brand new format honours great achievements by Callies runners
at the Comrades Marathon.
A five year commemorative medal series is planned in recognition of
these achievements.
The series commences with the great Wally Hayward (5 wins), followed by
Jackie Mekler (5), Alan Robb (4),
Mercer Davies (1), and George Claassen (1).
Wally Hayward – Comrades Permanent Number 2
There were many challenges, achievements and records for Wally
over the years but here
we concentrate on his incredible Comrades history.
Wally may only have run seven Comrades but goes down in Comrades
history having won
five out of five starts which began in 1930 and spanned 24 years, then amazingly coming
back a
further 34 years later to create a new age record at 79 that left the running
fraternity standing in awe.
That run in 1988 Wally referred to as "My greatest day".
Comrades for Wally concluded in 1989 with his 7th run
aged 80; another record and a grand
finale to a career spanning 59
years.
In the last 2 runs Wally won the "Founders Trophy" as the oldest
competitor; but believe it or not
he first won that trophy at the 1954 run at the age of 45 in addition to winning the race!
Comrades Statistics
|
Year |
Age |
Time |
Position |
|
1930 |
21 |
7;27;26 |
1 |
|
1950 |
41 |
6;46;25 |
1 |
|
1951 |
42 |
6;14;08 |
1 |
|
1953 |
44 |
5;52;30 |
1 |
|
1954 |
45 |
6;12;55 |
1 |
|
1988 |
79 |
9;44;15 |
5489 |
|
1989 |
80 |
10;58;03 |
10408 |
Wally Hayward
10/07/1908 – 28/04/2006 A true Callies Comrades Legend
Jackie Mekler
–
Comrades Permanent Number 9
Jackie Mekler made an early start to his Comrades career at the age of 20 coming 7th in his first run. The first win was achieved in 1958 where he finished 45 minutes ahead of the field.
In 1960 the
golden moment belonged to Jackie who became the first man to break
through the 6 hour barrier on the up run – in those years
considered unachievable.
In 1963 he also set a new down record; to hold both up and down records at that time.
Jackie’s 5 wins and 5 other top 5 positions over a 16 year span were achieved against very competitive fields proving his worth as a world class runner.
|
Run |
Year |
Age |
Time |
Position |
|
Up |
1952 |
20 |
7;45;03 |
7 |
|
Down |
1953 |
21 |
6;52;59 |
5 |
|
Up |
1958 |
26 |
6;26;26 |
1 |
|
Down |
1959 |
27 |
6;35;52 |
3 |
|
Up |
1960 |
28 |
5;56;32 |
1 |
|
Up |
1962 |
30 |
6;04;04 |
2 |
|
Down |
1963 |
31 |
5;51;20 |
1 |
|
Up |
1964 |
32 |
6;09;54 |
1 |
|
Down |
1965 |
33 |
5;56;19 |
2 |
|
Up |
1968 |
36 |
6;01;11 |
1 |
|
Down |
1969 |
37 |
6;01;30 |
3 |
|
Up |
1985 |
53 |
8;23;33 |
1588 |