Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 52, November 2013 | Page 31
Comrades
The Biggest
& The Best
Have you entered next year’s Ultimate Human
Race yet? The tally of entries is already on 11 000
runners – and only 18 000 will be taken – so make
sure you secure your entry for Africa’s oldest and
the world’s biggest ultra!
– BY DELAINE COOLS
MAYORAL AWARD FOR
COMRADES
The Comrades Marathon Association’s contribution
to the City of Msunduzi-Pietermaritzburg was once
again highlighted at the inaugural Mayoral Tourism
Awards at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on 27
September. Hosted by the Msunduzi-Pietermaritzburg
Tourism Association (MPTA), these awards have
been launched to recognise those that strive to
make Pietermaritzburg the ‘City of Choice,’ and the
Comrades Marathon was awarded together with the
UCI World Cycling Champs in the City International
Events category.
In his opening address, Mayor Chris Ndlela said,
“The Comrades Marathon always either starts or
finishes in the City of Pietermaritzburg, and I am
looking forward to firing the gun at next year’s
start.” Responding to the award, CMA General
Manager Chris Bruwer said, “This is a wonderful
acknowledgement of the deep-seated relations that
the Comrades Marathon shares with the city. We
thank Mayor Ndlela for initiating this awards gala and
look forward to maintaining our collaboration with
the city.”
VISIT THE COMRADES
SHOP
Treat yourself to a beautiful range of Comradesbranded New Balance sportswear. Check out
www.comrades.com for more info.
COMRADES CHARITY
Do you Dare to be a Devil?
The Community Chest is geared up for the
DaREDevil Run in Pietermaritzburg on Friday 8
November. This is a men’s only event that aims to
raise money for cancer research and treatment,
with 100% of the money raised going to the
Pietermaritzburg Branch of CANSA, and to create
awareness for the need for men to be vigilant of
prostate and testicular cancer.
Venue: Maritzburg College
Time: 4:30pm
Cost: R100 (includes your red Speedo)
Entries: Online at www.daredevilrun.com.
Manual entries at the Community Chest offices,
12 Stranack Street, Pietermaritzburg.
More info: Angie 033 3941031
2014 ENTRY PROCESS
Images: Lauren vd Vyver & Courtesy CMA
Runners can enter for Comrades 2014 through one
of three channels:
•
Online via the Comrades Marathon website:
www.comrades.com
•
By posting your completed entry form, with
proof of payment, to the CMA Office in
Pietermaritzburg: P.O. Box 100621, Scottsville,
3209
•
By handing in your completed entry form,
with payment, at Comrades Marathon House
in Pietermaritzburg: 18 Connaught Road,
Scottsville
Entry forms are available at local running clubs,
provincial sporting federations and the CMA as well
as select qualifying races, which the Comrades
team will be attending until November. The entry
fees are R350 for local runners, R550 for athletes
from the rest of Africa, and R1 800 for international
entries.
The number of participants will be capped at
18 000 and there will be no extensions of the
entry process, but great news for runners is
that substitutions will once again be available –
details at www.comrades.com.
MY COMRADES
by Solomon Mkhubedu
I have done four Comrades races, but each
experience is different! The first one (Down) was
just about finishing the race, and the second
one (Up) was with a target, and I only made a
10-minute improvement in 8:34. My third one I
finished in 8:44, even though I wanted to improve.
The 2013 race was terrible, due to bad weather,
and I finished in 9:24. I felt bad and in the last
4km, I decided never to run it again, but I was
later challenged by an old man in my club at
Foskor who got his green number this year, and
I’m looking forward to getting one myself! Thank
you Comrades – I can’t wait!
Social Networking
We invite you to take a peek into the wonderful
world of Comrades Marathon social networking.
Tweet about us, like us or browse the web for all
things Comrades Marathon related at:
www.twitter.com/@ComradesRace
www.facebook.com/ComradesMarathon
www.comrades.com
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