Athletes prepare for 90th Comrades up run
This year’s up run is an extra 877m longer, due to the route deviation through Pinetown.
AMANZIMTOTI Athletics Club recalls how, after the First World War, Vic Clapham conceived the idea of a race to commemorate the South African soldiers killed during the war.
The first Comrades Marathon was run on 24 May 1921, with 48 runners and only 16 finishers.
In 2010 on the 85th anniversary of the race, Comrades gained a place in the Guinness Book of Records with 14,343 athletes finishing the race in the allowed 12 hours
This year sees the 90th comrades up run, with a special medal to all finishers. This year’s up run is an extra 877m longer, due to the route deviation through Pinetown. The halfway cut-off at Drummond has been extended to six hours 15 minutes so as to factor in the additional 877m, making it the longest up run to date.
Should a runner not make any of the cut-offs within the allowed time, they will not be able to complete the race within the overall 12 hour cut off.
Family members who plan to support runners along the route on the morning can gain access to these spots from the N2/Pavilion, Hillcrest 30km into the race access from N2 toll/Shongweni, Camperdown 60km into the race. Avoid from Pinetown with the route deviation as this will be chaotic.
This year’s Bonitas Comrades Expo takes place from 28 to 30 May. Athletes will have the opportunity to see the latest shoe brands, running watches and gadgets, the latest sport supplements and nutrition and of course time to register and collect the goody bag. The expo opens at 9am and closes at 7pm, except Saturday when closing time will be at 5pm.
A bus service will be available to bring runners and family back to Durban. Tickets can be purchased at the Comrades Expo.
Toti Athletics Club has booked a tent at the finish area, the tent number is 103. Family and friends are welcome to join members as they cheer the runners across the finish line. The Toti supporter tent, the big orange one, will be at Camperdown, with only 25km to the finish. The vibe is always great as runners get a few words of encouragement from the Toti fan base and there is always something to eat and cold to drink.
Toti Comrades runners are reminded to meet at the Toti Spur on Monday, 1 June at 10.30am for an aches and pain breakfast. The official aches and pain party will be on Saturday, 6 June at the club house. This is a bring and braai with the official Comrades club prize giving. Friends and family are welcome. It starts at 11am.
The chairman and committee wish all Toti AC’s Comrades runners all the best as the journey starts in Durban and ends in Maritzburg, have a safe run and enjoy the Comrades experience.
