Possible change to Comrades route

THE Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has announced that it is considering a marginal change in the race route for the 90th Comrades Marathon on Sunday, 31 May.

CMA race director, Rowyn James, has explained that due to the GO!Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network roadworks in Josiah Gumede (Old Main) Road, Pinetown, a slight route deviation is being considered for Comrades race day. This is in keeping with the CMA’s strict protocol on runner safety.

“The eThekwini Municipality and its contractors had met with CMA representatives prior to the 2014 Comrades Marathon to discuss any potential disruptions that such construction would have on the Comrades Marathon race route. The CMA has therefore decided to consider amending the route accordingly and will communicate the final outcome to our runners and other stakeholders in due course,” he said.

James said the construction in Pinetown does not adversely affect the route or the race, and everything is being done by the CMA and the municipality to minimise the impact on the race.

“We understand the importance of the development of the GO!Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network, which we fully support for the citizens of Durban, and will be looking at how best we can reroute the Pinetown section with minimal impact on the athletes,” said James.

He said the CMA would be holding further discussions with the municipality to start finalising plans, but these plans were also determined by construction progress.

“We will only be able to release any developments in this regard closer to the time. After all, the safety of our runners is of paramount importance, hence the possible route deviation. As the CMA, we will also be working closely with our provincial athletics federation, KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, in terms of route measurement and other related contingencies. We look forward to an amazing race day for our runners and supporters alike,” he said.

The 90th running of the world’s biggest and oldest ultra-marathon will be an up-run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

More than 22 000 runners are signed up for this year’s race.