marathon

Mention the Comrades Marathon, the world-famous 90-kilometre run between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, and one name still springs to mind: Bruce Fordyce, the "Comrades King", and one of the all-time greats of ultra-marathon running.

The latest edition of the world's greatest ultra-marathon takes place on Sunday. Catch up on the history - along with some fascinating facts and anecdotes - of a race that's internationally recognised for the body-sapping challenge it poses and the camaraderie it fosters among its thousands of participants.

Popular British comedian Eddie Izzard is in the midst of running 27 marathons in 27 days around South Africa for charity, to end at the Union Buildings. The number 27 was chosen to commemorate the number of years Nelson Mandela spent in prison.

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is the only run in Africa to receive Silver Label status from the International Association of Athletics Federations. It's also been declared as carbon neutral. The scenic run will take place on 20 September, and organisers hope to reach Gold Label status soon.

Apartheid pervaded every facet of life in South Africa, and sport was no different. Black sportsmen and women were unable to compete on an equal footing, and the sports boycott made the country a pariah state. But marathons offered an open road to all.

At just 34, one of the country's best runners died in a car crash on his way to an athletics meeting. A shy guy off the track, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was aggressive and competitive when he was running, a mental toughness that brought him medals aplenty. He had turned his talents to coaching young rural athletes before his death.

Eight days, 800 kilometres and some seriously steep ravines – this is the Absa Cape Epic, one of the most extreme things a person can do with a bicycle. The hors catégorie event is the most televised mountain bike stage race in the world. Each year a new route is chosen, as difficult and as beautiful as the last.

In one of the most exciting men's races at the Berg River Canoe Marathon in years, event novice Andy Birkett managed to hold off Western Cape ace Graeme Solomon to claim his maiden Berg title, while Abby Adie stormed to a convincing win in the ladies' race.

The Berg River Marathon is probably the most gruelling way to spend four days in mid-winter. The canoe race sets off from Paarl and ends 240 kilometres away in Velddrif, in the Western Cape. Throw in howling wind, driving rain and lots of portage, and you've got a recipe for extreme sport.

While most people are tucked up warmly indoors during winter, a group of dedicated extreme athletes is out riding the Freedom Challenge. The mountain bike race takes riders more than 2 000 kilometres across some of South Africa's harshest but most beautiful scenery.