Bruce Fordyce

Born in Hong Kong, Bruce Fordyce's family moved to Johannesburg when he was 13 years old.  He completed his school career at Woodmead High School and subsequently attended the University of the Witwatersrand, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977 and his Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979.

During this time he was also a member of the university’s Student Representative Council as well as a committee member of the Wits Athletic Club.

In 1977, when Fordyce first ran the Comrades Marathon, he placed 43rd out of 1,678 entries.  He places 14th in 1978, 3rd in 1979, 2nd in 1980, and was the winner for an unprecedented eight consecutive years from 1981 to 1988;  he won it again in 1990.  

No other runner in the history of the Comrades has achieved this feat.  Bruce Fordyce also held the record time for the "up" run (Durban to Pietermaritzburg) and his record of 5:24:07 for the "down" run (Pietermaritzburg to Durban) stood for 21 years from 1986 until it was broken in 2007 by Russia's Leonid Shvetsov.

Bruce delivers an insightful presentation called “In the Long Run”.

It is an inspiring 40 minute talk incorporating exciting visuals of South Africa and the World Cup.  In it, Bruce invites his fellow South Africans to remember how great we were in 201 0 and encourages us to maintain that positive energy. 

He points out how shortly after the World Cup South Africans shifted from hosting a great World Cup, to our seemingly favourite ‘sport’ of running the country down. Whilst admitting our flaws as a nation, Bruce’s presentation encourages South Africans to focus on our strengths.  

He lists the good news about our country, the high esteem in which we are held in international circles and our membership of the (BRICS) powerhouses (Brazil, Russia, India and China). 

Using images of the bushveld and fynbos amongst others, Bruce emphasises our versatility, adaptability and tenacity.