Don Oliver

One only needs to look at the late Don Oliver’s Comrades track record to appreciate how committed he was. Nineteen medals tell a story on their own, two of them silvers. Don’s love affair with the Comrades Marathon spanned two decades as a runner. But this is not the real story of Don’s connection with the world’s greatest ultra-marathon. One needs to dig a little deeper for that. The backbone of this book is Don’s real achievement. The Comrades Panel Talks was started by Don and his fellow club member, Denis Tabakin of Rocky Road Runners in 1979.

Knowledge is the great teacher. Behind the Johannesburg-based club’s Panel Talks was simple idea, get seasoned campaigners to help nervous novices to achieve their own Comrades glory. The advice was practical; it worked and helped many thousands of runners to achieve the ultimate goal in South African road running, a Comrades medal.

Speakers were invited to give expert advice. Doctors, surgeons and physiotherapists came and taught. Comrades winners and novices who made last year’s journey inspired. Behind it all Don, the maestro, conducted the Panel Talks symphony and gave hope and understanding to a generation of ultra-distance runners. There was one rule strictly enforced at the Talks; none were invited to speak unless they had a Comrades medal. Experience is the only real teacher in Don’s classroom.

Don was uncertain of how many exactly he has successfully trained to run the Comrades Marathon but one thing is certain, over the decades it ran into more than 10 000. Make Sure of Your Comrades Medal is the essence of Don’s experience, a practical way to make the finish line a reality.

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