The founder of the Comrades Marathon was Vic Clapham, who served with the 8th South African Infantry and endured a gruelling 2,700-kilometre route march through East Africa during World War I. He wanted to create a lasting tribute to the soldiers who never returned and to raise funds to support returned veterans living in duress. Clapham believed that if infantrymen could march vast distances carrying heavy packs, trained athletes could endure the demanding road journey between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

The race was first run on 24 May 1921, with 34 runners starting in Pietermaritzburg. Sixteen runners finished within the 12-hour cut-off, with Bill Rowan taking first place. The start alternates each year between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, known respectively as the “Down Run” and the “Up Run”. Today, the Comrades Marathon is recognised as the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon, covering approximately 90 kilometers between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal.

Vic Clapham later joined the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (M.O.T.H.) and became an extremely active member. The connection between the M.O.T.H. and the Comrades Marathon lies in the fact that both were created by First World War veterans to honour those who lost their lives in the war and to preserve the camaraderie forged during military service. Although all surviving World War I veterans have now passed on, both the Comrades Marathon and the M.O.T.H. continue to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The event symbolises hardship, endurance, and the deep bonds forged during wartime.

During his lifetime, Moth Vic was responsible for opening 15 Shellholes and later took up as Custodian of the Warrior’s Gate Museum, the M.O.T.H. Shrine in Durban, from May 1960 to July 1962.

The M.O.T.H. has maintained a century-long connection with the Comrades Marathon. Shellholes have manned numerous watering points and served as route marshals. Perhaps most significantly, the M.O.T.H. traditionally played a role in closing the 12-hour race, which included a lone bugler sounding the Last Post as the final moments of the race unfolded.

The M.O.T.H. will celebrate its centenary in 2027, while the Comrades Marathon will celebrate its 100th race. As we prepare for 100 years of Mothing, we are immensely proud to be one of the eight beneficiaries of the Comrades Marathon Charities Programme in 2027.

We intend to make our presence felt during these celebrations, as the M.O.T.H. has been involved with the Comrades Marathon for a century and hopes to strengthen that involvement in the years ahead. We also see this partnership as an excellent opportunity to raise public awareness of the work undertaken by our 4,300 Moths and Supporters, as well as the valuable contribution they continue to make within their communities.