Down - A Comrades Marathon Podcast
Join the Coach Parry team as they help you get the medal you're chasing at the 2027 Comrades Marathon
Your Legs Will FAIL at Comrades 2027 If You Ignore This
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Strength Training For Comrades Runners: https://www.coachparry.com/comrades-strength-training?utm_source=youtube-sa-races&utm_medium=video-description&utm_campaign=video-9
Training for Comrades is about far more than simply building mileage. There’s one part of preparation that many runners continuously push aside, yet it could make an enormous difference when your legs are taking a beating deep into the 2027 Down Run.
In thi...
Clement Manyathela’s Comrades Revenge
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Clement Manyathela is one of South Africa’s best-known broadcasters, but away from the microphone, he’s become completely hooked on the Comrades Marathon.
And his journey has been anything but straightforward.
In this episode of Down, Brad sits down with Clement to talk about how he went from running just a few kilometres to taking on Comrades, why running became such an im...
Comrades Qualifier Mistake You Can’t Afford to Make
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Submit Your Comrades Down Run for Coach Parry to analyse: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfItj9wBJzpriG1crtOvYjYjTN7ifiMMKFG-HEuCtlMUMRdIw/viewform
Today, the team dives into another Comrades Roast to uncover how a few seemingly small training decisions can add up to a costly race day.
From pushing too hard in a late qualifier to recovery, taper timing and mental energy, th...
You’re Starting Comrades Training Too Early
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
The road to Comrades 2027 has started, but that does not mean you should be training for Comrades just yet.
In this episode, Coach Lindsey explains what experienced Comrades runners and first-time runners should be doing in August, why qualifying too early can backfire, and the warning signs that you may still be carrying fatigue from Comrades 2026
The Comrades Strategy That Produced a Near-Perfect 6:32
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
What does a near-perfect Comrades Marathon look like?
In this episode, Coach Lindsey & Brad break down the pacing, training and race-day decisions behind Danie’s incredible 6:32 Down Run.
Danie started conservatively, maintained an exceptionally even effort and finished four minutes faster in the second half. The result was a huge PB and a performance that exceeded even Lindsey’s best predicted finishing time.
The Comrades Race Roast Every Runner Needs to See
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Submit Your Comrades Down Run for Coach Parry to Analyse: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfItj9wBJzpriG1crtOvYjYjTN7ifiMMKFG-HEuCtlMUMRdIw/viewform
She finished her first Comrades Marathon down run with just over six minutes to spare.
But was her race actually well paced, or was she much closer to disaster than the finishing time suggests?
In this Comrades Race R...
Comrades 2027 Ballot CONFIRMED (Everything You Need to Know)
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
The 100th Comrades Marathon is coming, and demand for 2027 is expected to be bigger than ever.
Comrades Marathon Association Chairperson Mark Leathers joins Brad to reveal what runners need to know about the 2027 entry process, the planned ballot, early entry access, the race cap and whether the announced race date is secure.
They also look back at the biggest issues from the 2026 r...
The Comrades Secret Nobody Talks About (Crazy Race Strategy)
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
In this episode of Down, the Coach Parry Comrades Marathon Podcast, Brad chats with Dave Ingram, a remarkable Comrades athlete who has earned 13 Vic Clapham medals by walking every step of every race. Dave shares how he qualifies for Comrades, his unique training philosophy, race-day pacing strategies, and why walking with purpose can be a powerful advantage. Whether you're planning to run, walk, or use a...
How To Start Training For Comrades 2027
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Comrades 2027 is officially on the horizon, and the excitement around the 100th running is already massive.
In this episode, Brad is back with Official Comrades Coach Lindsey Parry to look at how you should approach your Comrades 2027 training, whether you ran in 2026, are returning after a long break, or are hoping to take on Comrades for the very first time.
They talk a...
The Official Comrades Coach’s Brutally Honest Up Run Debrief
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
After 17 years away from running Comrades, Lindsey returned with a conservative race plan, serious strength training, smart pacing… and still had to battle brutal hills, blazing heat, cramping calves, and the mental chaos of Poly Shortts.
In this episode, we unpack his full race debrief: what worked, what nearly ruined the day, why strength training changed his recovery, how he ran a negative split, and...
The BEST Spots To Watch Comrades (Complete Seconding Guide)
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Kilometer Studios Space Bag: https://artofendurance.co.za/catalogue/space-bag/
At Comrades, the runner may cross the finish line, but the seconder can make or break the day.
In this episode, Lindsey and Hayley share what every Comrades seconder needs to know before race day: the pressure, the planning, the chaos, and the small moments that can change everything.
Whether you’re s...
How To SAVE 20 Minutes on Race Day (It's Race Week)
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Kilometer Studios Space Bag: https://artofendurance.co.za/catalogue/space-bag/
Grab your Aches & Pains party tickets here: https://shop.coachparry.com
In today's episode of UP, Shona and Lindsey will show you exactly how to save 20 minutes on race day. If you only listen to one podcast in the build-up to the 2026 Comrades Marathon, make sure it is this one.
Comrades 2026 Up Run ROUTE & STRATEGY
Order Your Comrades Aches and Pains After Party Ticket Here: https://shop.coachparry.com/shop/after-party/comrades-aches-and-pains-after-party-ticket-15th-june-2026/
Pre-order Your Custom Comrades Marathon Pacing Band Here: https://shop.coachparry.com/
Two weeks to Comrades, and this is where pacing mistakes can quietly ruin your race.
In this episode, we break down the Comrades Up Run route, the key climbs, where runners lose control, and how to use your pacing band properly on race day.
You’ll learn why the first 36km are not the place to take risks, where the ro...
The Biggest Comrades Taper Mistakes To Avoid
Order Your Comrades Aches and Pains After Party Ticket Here: https://shop.coachparry.com/shop/after-party/comrades-aches-and-pains-after-party-ticket-15th-june-2026/
Pre-order Your Custom Comrades Marathon Pacing Band Here: https://shop.coachparry.com/
It’s officially taper time, and with Comrades just around the corner, this is where smart decisions matter most.
In this episode of UP, we talk about what to do if you ran Cape Town Marathon three weeks out from Comrades, how to adjust your training if your legs are sore, and why recovery now is more important than squeezing in extra ki...
Comrades Marathon: The 3-Week Taper Explained
Order Your Comrades Aches and Pains After Party Ticket Here: https://shop.coachparry.com/shop/after-party/comrades-aches-and-pains-after-party-ticket-15th-june-2026/
Pre-order Your Custom Comrades Marathon Pacing Band Here: https://shop.coachparry.com/
Your biggest Comrades Marathon training weeks are done… but what you do next could make or break your race day.
In this episode, we talk through the final long run, how to recover from peak training, and what your Comrades taper should look like over the final three weeks.
Is Your Comrades Goal Realistic… Or Risky?
Order Your Comrades Aches and Pains After Party Ticket Here: https://shop.coachparry.com/shop/after-party/comrades-aches-and-pains-after-party-ticket-15th-june-2026/
Pre-order Your Custom Comrades Marathon Pacing Band Here: https://shop.coachparry.com/
Are you fit enough to run your Comrades goal… or are you about to sabotage it?
In this episode, we look at the dangerous “I’m feeling amazing” phase of Comrades training... when runners are at their fittest, but also most likely to overdo it.
We cover how to recover properly after your biggest long run, why silver runners need to hold back...
NEW Distance, NEW Strategy (Don’t Get This Wrong)
Pre-order Your Custom Comrades Marathon Pacing Band Here: https://shop.coachparry.com/
Ever wondered why some runners feel strong late in Comrades… while others fall apart?
It often comes down to what they did in the final few weeks.
This episode dives into pacing, long runs, and race-day prep that actually works. Get this right, and you give yourself a real chance.
Perfect Final LONG RUN Before Comrades
Pre-order Your Custom Comrades Marathon Pacing Band Here: https://shop.coachparry.com/
How far should your final long run be before Comrades?
In this episode, we break down how far your final long run should be before Comrades, when to do it, and why running too far can hurt your race.
Learn how to build confidence, test your nutrition, and arrive at the start line feeling strong.
The Fastest Way Back After Injury/Illness (Most Runners Get This Wrong)
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
🥳Join the COMRADES ACHES & PAINS AFTER PARTY HERE: https://shop.coachparry.com/shop/after-party/comrades-aches-and-pains-after-party-ticket-15th-june-2026/
When training gets serious, things can go wrong.
In this episode, we tackle the reality every runner faces: illness, injury, and the mental pressure of pushing through peak Comrades prep.
Learn when to rest, when to push, and how to come back stronger, without losi...
Comrades Runners: Your Post Long Run Recovery Plan (CRUCIAL)
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Just ran Two Oceans (or any big race)? 🏃♂️
Before you jump straight back into training… watch this.
In this episode, we break down exactly how to recover after an ultra or marathon, so you don’t waste your race, lose fitness, or pick up an injury heading into your next goal.
From real post-race experiences to simple “rules of thumb”, we cover:
How t...Are You Training Too Hard for Comrades? (Big Mistakes Runners Make)
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
It’s peak Comrades training season… but are you actually training smart?
In this episode, we break down the biggest mistakes runners make in April, when mileage is high, fatigue is creeping in, and injury risk is at its peak.
We cover:
⚠️ Why intensity could be ruining your training
📉 How to balance mileage without burning out
🏃♂️ How to use Two Oceans as the...
This One Decision Will Decide Your Comrades Result
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
👉Pre-order your custom TTOM Pacing band here: https://shop.coachparry.com/
Peak Comrades training is here… and with Two Oceans just 2 weeks away, runners are asking the same question:
👉 Can I race both?
But that’s the wrong question.
In this episode, we break down exactly how to use Two Oceans as a powerful training tool, without compromisin...
The Silver Bullet for Comrades Success (No One Talks About This)
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
You’ve just smashed a big long run…
But what you do NEXT could make or break your Comrades.
In this episode, we break down:
👉 Exactly how to recover after big efforts
👉 What to do if you ran it TOO hard
👉 How to avoid injury in peak training
👉 The real “silver bullet” for race day success
Most runners think fitness...
This Can Cost You Weeks Of Comrades Training
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Peak Comrades training is here… but many runners are about to make a mistake that could cost them weeks of progress.
In this episode we talk about Om Die Dam, long runs, strength training, and the smartest way to handle niggles during peak training.
If you’re training for Comrades right now, this conversation could change how you approach the next few weeks
What Your Weekly Mileage Should Actually Be Now
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
After months of carefully holding back, building fitness, and qualifying, runners are now entering the most important phase of Comrades preparation.
But what should peak training actually look like? Are you running enough… or too much?
In this episode, Lindsay and Shona break down exactly where your mileage should be right now, depending on your Comrades goal, from finishing to silver medal ambi...
COMRADES TRAINING STARTS NOW
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Comrades season has officially begun!
March marks the start of the real build. But before you charge into peak training, there’s something you need to get right.
In this episode, we break down:
• What “big training” actually means
• The 3 long runs rule (and why more isn’t better)
• How to recover properly from marathons and training races
• Why chasing mileage c...
How Many Long Runs Do You REALLY Need for Comrades?
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Doing “all the long runs” for Comrades? Stop. Shona & Lindsey break down the real purpose of long runs, why 3 max is enough, what distance your longest one should be, and how “too hard” training runs can wreck your March consistency.
Your Comrades Nutrition Plan Needs Fixing
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
In this episode, coach Shona and coach Lindsey break down race-week prep, recovery after your qualifier, and a simple race-day nutrition strategy you can actually execute (without risky last-minute carb-loading). We also cover what to do if you miss your qualifier, and how to start practicing fueling so you’re ready for Comrades.
Something No One Saw Coming for Comrades
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
In this episode, Lindsey shares a carefully considered Comrades announcement, one that sets the tone for the training journey ahead.
From there, we dive into one of the most overlooked pillars of endurance performance: recovery. What it really means, why it’s essential, and why no amount of hard training can make up for poor recovery.
We cover:
- Why you onl...
HUGE Interval Training Myth in Comrades Marathon Prep
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Think intervals will make you faster at Comrades? Think again.
In this episode, Coach Lindsey breaks down why interval training isn’t about speed for Comrades, how much intensity you actually need, and how to avoid the biggest training mistakes that lead to injury, burnout, and walking far more than you should on race day.
The Truth About Early-Season Comrades Training
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Everyone’s panicking… but should they be? 🫣
In this episode of UP, Shona and Comrades coach Lindsey Parry calm the January chaos, break down what actually matters right now, and explain why doing less early could be the secret to your best Comrades yet.
This ONE Habit Saves Your Comrades
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Train for Comrades 2026 with us: https://coachparry.com/comrades-marathon-roadmap/
Subscribe to the audio podcast here: https://coachparry.transistor.fm/subscribe
Strength training isn’t a “nice to have”; it’s the game-changer for Comrades.
In this episode, Lindsey & Shona break down:
- The real reason runners get injured
- Why more running isn’t always better for Comrades performance<...
The First Step to Comrades 2026
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Welcome to the first UP episode for 2026, where Brad and Lindsey kick off the Comrades journey, unpack the two big January “training camps” (steady runners vs holiday-hit panickers), and explain when Comrades training officially starts.
Plus: a huge change to the podcast lineup is revealed, and it sets up a whole new dynamic for the season.
Emergency Update From Brad
An important update on Brad
Why Koula Is Coming Back to Comrades
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
In this episode, Brad chats to Koula Budler, a former 5FM and Top Billing presenter, now living in Texas, running a home bakery, juggling four kids, and training for her 8th Comrades as she chases that long-dreamed-of green number before 50.
She shares what it’s really like to train for Comrades with zero family support nearby, crazy early-morning treadmill sessions, the massive gap in fem...
70-Year-Old Barefoot Runner Crushes Comrades
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
He started running in his mid-50s… and ran Comrades at 70. Barefoot.
In this episode, Brad chats to Dr. Sidy– a retired French diplomat turned barefoot ultra runner who has:
- Run 500+ marathons and ultras
- Raced on every continent
- Finished his 4th Comrades just after turning 70
He shares how a joke at the Chicago Marathon changed his life, why h...
Trail Queen to Tar: Landie Greyling’s Back-to-Back Comrades Journey
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Back-to-back Comrades finisher, SA marathon champ, and trail-running icon Landie Greyling joins Brad to unpack the leap from mountains to 90 km of tar. She shares the exact switches that build road speed, how she juggles training with motherhood, and why the up-and-down runs feel like two different sports.
We talk pacing vs. terrain flow, strength work after 40, crowd energy, shoe choices, and whether a Co...
The Comrades Comeback You HAVE To Hear: Liv & Albert's INCREDIBLE Story
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
What does it take to chase a dream for a decade and finally nail it on attempt number ten? In this goosebump-filled Comrades story, Albert Fayard sets out for his 30th finish and that coveted triple green number… but he doesn’t go alone. His physiotherapist, Olivia 'Liv' Schiller, swaps the treatment room for the start pen, pacing, nudging, and downright dragging him through doubt, cramp...
Comrades 2026 just got REAL
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Today’s episode is a big one: Comrades 2026 entries open for CMA/Green Number members — and we’re sharing exactly how to use the next few weeks wisely (especially after the Cape Town Marathon cancellation) so you keep your fitness, get qualified early, and set up a stress-free build to Comrades.
We’re also running a limited-time special on our Comrades Marathon Training Roadmap t...
Cracking the Ultra Code with Carla Molinaro
Grab our Comrades Training Plans here
Resources mentioned in this podcast:
Grab your spot in our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass here: https://coachparry.com/lkz8-Faster-Beyond-50-Masterclass
Comrades-bound and cake-fueled! 🏃♀️🎂 Ultra star Carla Molinaro - LEJOG record-smasher, Two Oceans podium finisher, and 2025 Comrades Top 10 - opens up on racing with joy, riding the pain waves, and why passing cyclists on Chappies might be tougher than gold. Lessons on grit, play, and the mindset to go very, very far.
