Countdown to gruelling Comrades
After months of painstaking preparations, which includes running a “Comrades qualifier’, runners from all over South Africa and many other countries will begin their nervous countdown to the biggest and most gruelling ultra-marathon on the planet.
Many runners will just want to get to the starting line in Pietermaritzburg and start running already. All the training has been done and visions of running the race will pass through the minds and dreams of runners. Asijiki, there is no turning back.
As an ex-Comrades runner (and finisher), I know all about what goes on in the background whilst preparations are being finalised. You get that knot in your tummy, hoping and praying that all will go well on the big day. And if you have prepared adequately, then there is no real reason why you should not have a “good” run.
Described as The Ultimate Human Race, the Comrades Marathon which covers 90km between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, is renowned as one of the running world’s toughest tests of human endurance and willpower.
It is also the world’s oldest and largest ultra-marathon, with approximately 20000 runners taking part each year.
In its 93 years, the race has been the stage where South Africa’s running legends have been made.
While there are so many South African runners who have made their indelible mark on this prestigious race, one name that sticks to mind for most of us will be the legendary Bruce Fordyce. Nine gold medals is a huge statement indeed.
It’s a real pity that Fordyce did not go for the ultimate ten in his peak.
It’s not just about the 90.184km from the Pietermaritzburg City Hall to the Moses Mabhida Stadium, come Sunday, 10 June. It’s about the “gees” and the vibe along the undulating route with its many refreshment stations that will make the Comrades journey that much more exciting, exhilarating and rewarding.
It’s also about all the throngs of spectators that line up the route, literally from start to finish, to give the runners all the encouragement they need. Comrades will not be Comrades without these supporters.
Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Race Director, Rowyn James has confirmed that 44 well-stocked refreshment stations will offer the following refreshments:
Coke – 30350 litres Fanta / Crème Soda – 10650 litres
Coke paper cups (175ml) – 450 000
Energade sachets (150ml) – 750 000
Water sachets – 1.875 million Bananas – 9 tons (1000kg) Oranges – 8 tons Biscuits – 1 ton
Racefood honey nougat energy bars – 21 000 Cooked potatoes – 2 tons Energade (500ml) – 51360 RTD bottles
Mageu Number 1 (250ml) – 32640 RTD sachets
Charity
Comrades Marathon charitable fundraising is sitting at nearly twice the amount it was at this time last year. Nearly R2.5 million has been raised by the six Comrades Marathon Official Charities and their Race4Charity runners.
The CMA has confirmed that a total of R245524712 has been received through various fundraising initiatives. At this stage last year, the amount stood at R1 237 822 31.
At least 583 runners have signed up for the Race4Charity fundraising initiative. By signing up on this platform, runners have the opportunity to select a charity of their choice, run for them and fundraise for their projects. Alternatively, runners can choose to run for Amabeadibeadi, the proceeds of which will be divided equally among all six charities.
The 93rd Comrades Marathon on Sunday will be a Down Run, starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishing 12 hours later at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
A different venue finish, one that the organisers think will be in the best interest for runners and public alike. With just four days to go to race day, the Comrades Marathon Association Chairperson has responded candidly to criticism regarding the move of this year’s Comrades finish venue to its new landmark location.
CMA Chairperson, Cheryl Winn says the CMA Board and Race Organising Committee paid due diligence to all facets of the race and the venue before deciding to host the Comrades Marathon Finish at Durban’s acclaimed Moses Mabhida Stadium for the very first time.
Winn adds, “After having finished the last 21 Down Runs at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, the CMA’s main motivation for taking this giant leap into the future is the capacity for us to grow the number of entries we can safely accommodate in future, which is presented by the facilities offered at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium.”
When it comes to Provincial participation, Gauteng tops the boards with 9793 runners while KZN is in a modest second place with 4179.