Sweat, tears and camaraderie as 20,000 runners take on world’s largest ultramarathon

Every June, a big race happens in South Africa. It is called the Comrades race. About 20,000 people run in this race. It is a very long race, an ultramarathon. Runners sweat and sometimes cry, but they also feel friendly feelings with each other. This is called camaraderie.

The race is special because it helps people forget about problems in South Africa. People from different groups come together. On this day, the usual differences between people, like racial inequality, seem to disappear. Everyone runs together as one big team.

Before the race starts, it is still dark. Thousands of runners wait. They move close together with excitement. First, South Africa's national anthem plays. Then, a special song called Shosholoza plays. This song comes from old goldmine workers. Finally, music from a movie called Chariots of Fire starts. Then, the big race begins!