174. Rosemary Mitchell | A Story of Pain, Tradition, and Community in South Africa’s Most Iconic Ultramarathon

Rosemary Mitchell is a 62-year-old ultrarunner whose story with the Comrades Marathon is as powerful as the race itself. In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Rosemary for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about endurance, tradition, and what it truly means to run with purpose.

We explored her personal journey—how challenges and setbacks shaped her path—and what it took to conquer the emotional and physical demands of Comrades. Rosemary opened up about the meaning behind the Green Number, the incredible community that surrounds this race, and how running continues to transform her life at every age.

We also talked about the legacy of Comrades in South Africa, the camaraderie of ultra running, and how age can become a source of strength, not limitation. Her wisdom is a reminder that running is as much about heart as it is about speed.

🎧 If you’ve ever dreamed of running Comrades—or just want to feel reconnected to why we run—this episode is for you.

Use code RUNNINGLONG30 for 30% off your first month of Vert.run training.

👉 Follow @vert.run
👉 Download the app and sign up at: app.vert.run

Francesco’s links: Instagram | Twitter | Strava | Website