out before then . Entries for the 2016 Comrades sold out before the closing date , and judging by the 6000 entries received in the first week of the entry window for 2017 , the next race will also be sold out . And those 20,000 runners can look forward to another incredible experience . As CMA Race Director , Rowyn James , said at the launch ,
“ We have amazing plans in place to ensure a great race day come Sunday 4 June 2017 .”
His words were echoed by CMA Chairperson , Macdonald Chitja , who said , “ We are excited to unveil our 2017 Comrades Marathon campaign . Comrades Marathon runners are a unique band of individuals who will attest to the demanding nature of this ultimate human race . We welcome all of our runners , supporters and stakeholders to share in the indomitable Comrades spirit of camaraderie and goodwill on race day on Sunday 4 June .”
Runners are urged to get their entries in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment , given that entries for the 2017 race may well sell out before the closing date on 30 November . Go to www . comrades . com to for all the relevant info and to complete an online entry .
For the first time in 16 years , participants in the 2017 Comrades Marathon will finish their Up Run at the Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg . The 130-year old racecourse will serve as the finish venue for the 92 nd edition of The Ultimate Human Race , having last served as the finish venue of both the 1998 and 2000 editions of the Comrades Marathon .
CMA Race Director Rowyn James says , “ We are working closely with the owners of the Scottsville Racecourse , Gold Circle , to ensure that the facilities and other arrangements are in keeping with Comrades Marathon standards and to meet the needs of both our runners and spectators on race day .”
It is worth noting that the definitive 2000 Millennium Comrades Marathon netted the highest number of participants at 24,500 , in what has been the biggest Comrades event to date . The runners who finished inside the racecourse grounds that year still speak of that incredible day in awed tones , especially the sheer numbers of runners that filled the roads on the day . With a cap on entries of 20,000 , the 2017 race will not be quite as big , but the same unique Comrades spirit will be seen on the roads from Durban City Hall to the Scottsville Racecourse .
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