On Sunday 8 June, Philip Bosman (58) became the first-ever runner from local athletics club In Touch to earn a coveted Comrades Marathon green number, awarded to those who complete this gruelling ultramarathon ten times.
Bosman, a pastor at AFM Gen-to-Gen Church in Kuils River, ran his first Comrades in 2012.
He says when In Touch started, it was mostly a “ladies club” doing walks, hiking and later running.
“(Running) was more my wife’s sport. I was playing soccer for Highbury United for the over-forties.”
In 2010, he decided to enter a 10km run, followed by more races in 2011 when he became a member of In Touch. The running bug had bitten, and the next year, at age 44, Bosman lined up for his first Comrades.
His initial plan was to run the Comrades twice. But after skipping 2014, he entered again. “I said, ‘Lord, just give me the strength, like Samson. Give me the strength to run it one more time – then I’m done’.”
Bosman recalls that it’s easy to say you’re done shortly after the race, but when the entries open in September, it’s another story.
“Then there’s a new zeal of excitement – I want to do it next year.”
He skipped 2017, but after doing his fifth Comrades in 2018, the initial “I’m done” turned into a goal of seven.
“Then I would be done, as seven is my perfect number.”
Because of the pandemic, there was no Comrades in 2020 and 2021. Bosman ran number seven in 2022. It would have been his swan song but he changed his mind (again) after chatting to a 68-year-old man who was going for his 28th Comrades.
Now, he has completed number 10 – something he says he never imagined achieving in his “wildest dreams”.
“It was very satisfying – after how many times saying, ‘This is the last one’ – to eventually get this green number. I’m over the moon.”
Philip Bosman
Bosman says it wasn’t just about crossing the finish line, but the encouragement and support along the way.
“As everyone knows you are going for green and you are going to be part of an elite group of people who have conquered the Comrades ten times – that made it special.”
One step at a time
“If I think how many times during the race I was down and out… I said: ‘Lord, if You don’t come through now, I’m not sure I’m going to make it.’ That is just proof to me of the human spirit – how you can get through difficult situations if you can just focus on the task at hand. Just take one step at a time.”
Bosman also drew encouragement from words on kilometre boards along the way.
“When I saw that board – ’68km to go. One step closer to triumph’ – that really encouraged me. It said: ‘Philip, you need to move.’
“In those difficult times, there is no time for self-pity. Everybody is in the same boat – it’s a struggle. That’s probably why we go back every year. It is so painful, but that satisfaction… Firstly, it’s a privilege to participate, and then there’s that satisfaction of finishing it.”
Bosman says that though the Comrades is painful, it would be more painful for him to watch it on TV without being able to run.
Although his tenth was special, his first Comrades remains the most memorable.
“At 7km I was ‘out’ – for probably 20 minutes I sat at a water point where people assisted me. I was dehydrated. Luckily, there was enough time to regain my strength. I was grateful – I still finished it in time. Finishing that first one was proof to me: okay Philip, this is doable.”
To those who still wonder, he says:
“Beware the limitations you put on yourself – it’s within your mind. It is mind-boggling to see how far we can take our bodies. If you believe, it is possible.”
Philip Bosman
But it does take work – and many kilometres of training.
“Yes, it’s a sacrifice. It means being on the road for hours. As Bruce Fordyce says: Comrades is a very jealous race – it asks all of you. It doesn’t want to be shared with any other hobbies or other stuff. You need months of focus and dedication. From January to June, you’re consumed – everything revolves around Comrades: everything you think, talk, plan, weekends… It requires discipline and sacrifice.”
If you’re keen to run Comrades (the 100th running will be in 2027), Bosman suggests doing a qualifying marathon early (in 2026).
“Come to us at In Touch, become part of the group. If you want to get to Comrades 2027 and you’re in Kuils River, we have training groups – we will get you to Durban.”
Just get in touch with In Touch (or a running club near you).
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