Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 50, September 2013 | Page 21

Enter the World’s Greatest Race! September means it’s time for you to enter the 2014 Comrades Marathon. So, to avoid disappointment, enter early and start visualising that ?nish line on next year’s gruelling yet rewarding ‘down run.’ Take this opportunity to challenge yourself! – BY DELAINE COOLS Comrades 2014 Comrades Entry Process With 2014 entries opening on 1 September, runners are reminded that entries will no longer be done in-store at Mr Price. Entry forms will be available at local running clubs and provincial sporting federations, as well as through the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA). Alternatively, prospective participants may hand-deliver their completed entry forms and proof of payment to the CMA offices in Pietermaritzburg, or post them to P.O. Box 100621, Scottsville, 3209. Online entries can be done via the official CMA website, www.comrades.com, and as always, entry to the race is on a first come, first serve basis. Please note that there will be one entry window period for all athletes, so novices and former Comrades runners alike are urged to enter early to avoid disappointment. The number of participants in Comrades 2014 has been capped at 18 000 and there will be no extensions of the entry process once that number is reached. 2014 AIMS World Congress Preparations for the the 2014 AIMS World Congress, to be hosted in Durban from 28 to 31 May, are coming along well. The AIMS Local Organising Committee is planning a fabulous event and the Congress is set to do wonders in profiling the Comrades Marathon, the City of Durban, our beautiful province and our rainbow country to the many international delegates and visitors. CMA Supports Women’s Day The Community Chest hosted a vibrant Women’s Day Breakfast to honour the many beautiful women in our lives and the CMA was happy to support the initiative. CMA Presents Printers to Local Schools Visit the Comrades Museum 2014 Comrades Marathon Launch The CMA is upbeat about next year’s ‘down run’ on 1 June 2014, and that outlook was central to the vibe of the official 2014 Comrades Marathon Launch, held in Johannesburg in August. The CMA recently did the official handover of two digital printers to local schools in the Pietermaritzburg area as part of its Greater Edendale Race Schools Category competition. CMA Vice Chairman, Macdonald Chitja, together with CMA Marketing Coordinator, Thami Vilakazi, presented the printers to the principals of Esigodini Public Primary School and Henryville Primary School. Both schools are based in Edendale, and were the recipients of the state-of-the-art printers after they won the schools category for most entries in the Greater Edendale Race and Fun Run event. “Our goal is to be all-inclusive and to get our young ones to also participate in the activities of the Comrades Marathon Association,” says Macdonald Chitja, who is also the convener of the Greater Edendale Race Organising Committee. “We are grateful to all educators at the various schools who showed an interest and took part in the Schools competition category. Over the past six years, our local event has continued to show growth and to attract new runners into the sport of road running. This is very encouraging, as it is an indication that our efforts are appreciated by the community and our local school children.” Comrades Museum Curator Sian Theron invites Comrades runners and enthusiasts to come and check out our awesome museum. For more information, please e-mail [email protected]. Social Networking The Comrades good news is spreading all around the world, thanks to our passionate Comrades Marathon ambassadors and runners – and our local and global media. Thank you all! We invite you to take a peek into the wonderful world of Comrades Marathon social networking. You’ll catch all things Comrades-related here: www.twitter.com/@ComradesRace www.facebook.com/ComradesMarathon www.comrades.com Images: Lauren vd Vyver & Courtesy CMA 21