Join the Comrades Legend virtual race

Regarding the cut-off time, it should be noted that runners need to complete their run any time on June 14 within their respective time zones.

June 9, 2020

Johann Badenhorst 3 minutes read

Many Striders athletes like Stanley Seisani will be looking forward to this unprecedented event.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has issued need-to-know information to aspirant participants in the recently launched ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ virtual race.

CMA chairperson Cheryl Winn says, “It may seem new age to traditional Comrades Marathon runners, but ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ virtual race works pretty much the same way as any other type of running with the only difference being that the participant can run at any location, especially in the comfort of their own home, on a treadmill, outside in their garden or neighbourhood, all at their own pace.”

If you are an entrant in the 2020 Comrades Marathon it is free, and you would have received an entry voucher via email or SMS to redeem your entry.

Should you not have access to email and require a voucher code or assistance, please call the CMA office on 033 897 8650.

All other participants pay an entry fee of R150 for South African or R470 for international entries.

The stipulated age restrictions are as follows:

Distance minimum age on race day:

• 5km (Fun Run) nine years

• 10km 15 years

• 21km 16 years

• 45km 20 years

• 90km 20 years

The significant difference of being part of ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ is that all finishers will be emailed a virtual medal and certificate, as well as a real medal which will be delivered to them.

Participants also get to run for a cause and can make donations to an official Comrades Marathon Amabeadibeadi

Charity as well as purchase commemorative products to denote their participation in a one-of-a-kind virtual race.

The overriding aspect of ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ is that participants are not confined to any specific race route or location.

Also read: Striders relieved with extended workout hours

Participants should feel free to run the course of their choice but are asked respect the government regulations in their area pertaining to Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing.

Athletes must not run on the official Comrades route as there is no official route closure and it will create issues with people using this course on the day of the event.

The Springs Striders Athetics Club hosted the Manjoh Race in January. Although many other events have been postponed or cancelled, the club encourages all athletes to keep fit until they can compete, hopefully later this year.

Regarding the cut-off time, it should be noted that runners need to complete their run any time on June 14 within their respective time zones.

Other than that, they can run in their own time and at their own pace, but will have 24 hours to complete their selected distance.

Those opting to run the 90km race will need to plan their run wisely and ensure their safety.

Runners are advised to stock up on sufficient nutrition, water and energy drinks or plan ahead so that their chosen course covers the nutrition and fluid needed on race day.

With respect to timing, participant’s smart phone, smart watch, fitness watch or activity tracker will be their personal ‘virtual timing chip’.

Start the session and run your marathon.

When runners reach the distance for which they have entered, they can stop the session and simply link their Strava, Garmin, Polar or Suunto account to their runner profile afterwards.

Also read: Striders Athletic Club and Springs Platinum Refinery Athletic Club compete in Comrades Marathon

CMA also support session file import for GPX, TCX and FIT formats and will also accept manual entry of times recorded on any watch, so no one is excluded from participation and nothing is holding you back from being an official part of the race.

Runners can also time themselves on any watch and do a manual time entry on the site.

Their times will be updated to the official ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ results for the distance they participate in.

Please also note, that even though the participant’s watch or phone may deduct pauses which they may have taken during their session, the CMA does not.

They measure from start to finish!

Race numbers will be emailed to every entrant.

Entrants are encouraged to print out the race number and attach it to their running kit on race day.

Runners also have the option of changing their race distance on the day if they feel their selected distance is too short or too long by logging into their personal profile.

The CMA asks that runners honour the time limit for uploading race data which must be done by 11.59pm on June 14 to qualify for the finisher’s medal.

Running in your club kit is not required, but encouraged.

All entrants will have the option of purchasing a commemorative mrpsport T-shirt upon entry at a cost R250.

There will be no refunds or T-shirt swapping.

It is important to note that your ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ finish will not count towards an official Comrades Marathon finish.

Also read: Comrades veteran shares fond memories