All runners to run a qualifier for 2015 marathon
The Comrades Marathon Association reminds runners that they have to run a qualifying race to run in this year's event.
ALL runners are to run a qualifying race to be eligible to run in the 2015 Comrades Marathon. Runners can qualify for the 2015 Comrades Marathon until 4 May.
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) advised runners that the 2014 Comrades Marathon will not be an automatic qualifier for this year’s race.
Race director, Rowyn James, said: “The reason for this is two-fold. We want to encourage runners to be fit and healthy for race day. Furthermore, we want to support all other road-running races in the country, especially the Comrades Marathon qualifying races, by driving Comrades runners to participate in those running events.”
The substitution window period will be from 1 to 21 April.
In a first for South African road-running, R1.5-million is up for grabs to the first man and woman respectively who break the current male and female up-run records, thereby making the Comrades Marathon by far the most lucrative race on the local athletics scene.
Leonid Shvetsov holds the male up-run record of 5:24:47 for his 2008 win, while Elena Nurgalieva’s 2006 victory in a time of 6:09:24 stands as the women’s up-run record.
CMA chairman, Macdonald Chitja, said: “We are pleased to unveil our 2015 Comrades Marathon campaign and invite the nation to be a part of it. The 90th edition of this world-famous ultra-marathon promises to be the best one yet.”
This year’s Comrades Marathon starts at the Durban City Centre on Sunday, 31 May.
