THERE will be a few minor tweaks to this year’s Comrades Marathon with marginal changes made to the route. According to the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) this year’s up-run will be slightly shorter.

Race Director, Rowyn James says, “The officially measured and certified distance is 86.73km. The 2017 Comrades up-run will be slightly shorter than the two most recent up-run routes. The 2013 route was 86.86km long while the 2015 route measured 87.72km.

“With regards to the route changes, we will return to the original up-run course through Pinetown without any detours and follow the traditional route from the start outside the Durban City Hall all the way to Pietermaritzburg, except for the last 7 kilometre or so.”

“Just after the top of Polly Shortts, a revised route will be followed to the new finish venue of Scottsville Racecourse. The route is similar to the one of the 1998 and 2000 Comrades Marathons, with a few minor tweaks here and there.”

The Scottsville Racecourse will serve as the finish venue for this year’s race. The landmark location served as the finish venue of both the 1998 and 2000 editions of the marathon.”