Bruce Fordyce is a household name in South Africa and is considered to be one of the world’s greatest ultra marathon runners. Bruce Fordyce ran his first Comrades Marathon in 1977 and has since won the Comrades nine times in succession - 1981-1990. No other runner in the history of the Comrades has ever achieved this feat. Bruce Fordyce currently holds the record times for both the up and down run.
Bruce Fordyce is also the world record holder for the 50 mile, which he set in 1983 while running the famous London - Brighton race.
Educated at Woodmead School, Bruce Fordyce obtained his BA Degree in 1977 and his BA Hons in 1979. During this time at University he was a member of the Wits SRC, and All Sports Council and a Committee Member of the Wits Athletic Club.
Bruce admits that “genes” do, to some degree, play a part in his running success. Compared to many other runners he would not appear to have the athlete’s perfect build. What then makes Bruce Fordyce so successful? His attributes epitomise the self-achiever. Beneath a friendly, almost gentle exterior he has a will of iron. Guts, determination perseverance, careful planning and self-discipline are the qualities Bruce relies on to achieve results.
On a day-to-day basis Bruce Fordyce is involved in endorsements, motivational talks to businesses, sports clubs, schools and charity work. Bruce has delivered talks to most major South African corporations, i.e. Insurance Industry, Car Companies, Computer Industry, Accountants, Pharmaceutical Companies, Estate Agents, Banks, Furniture Trade and the Clothing Industry - to name a few.
Bruce delivers two light hearted, humorous, but inspirational messages to
his audiences, one applying the principals of success in marathon running to everyday life, and the other in an interesting address entitled "Why should you want to leave South Africa"?
It takes an individual with special qualities to achieve what Bruce Fordyce has, and it is these special qualities that he shares with his audiences in establishing a strong parallel between success in marathon running and achieving in life. |
