Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 57, April 2014 | Page 35

Comrades

o RUN?
Ready t
We hope you’re getting ready for the 1st of June, because the
world’s ultimate ultra-marathon is almost here. The gruelling
89km from Pietermaritzburg to Durban is always a test of the
human spirit, but that journey is one of the most memorable
in any runner’s life, and here at the Comrades Marathon
Association (CMA), we’re looking forward to once again
presenting this historic race. – BY DELAINE COOLS

DON’T WORRY, DATE
UNCHANGED!

NEDBANK SCORES!

The CMA congratulates Nedbank after the
premier banking institution walked off with a
coveted award last month at the Discovery Sport
Industry Awards, in the Best Live Experience
category for their 2013 Comrades Marathon
Spectator Spot. Now in its fourth year, the
Discovery Sport Industry Awards recognise the
outstanding work that is produced on a daily
basis by South Africa’s sporting industry.

Contrary to some media reports, the 2014 Comrades
Marathon will still be run on Sunday 1 June. The
89th edition will be a Down Run, starting at the
Pietermaritzburg City Hall and ending at the
Sahara-Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban.

SUBSTITUTING IN

The substitution rule governs the process of
withdrawing one athlete from the Comrades Marathon
and replacing the fully paid athlete’s entry with
another athlete’s paid entry and credentials – but note
that is only available to South African runners. The
substitution process opens on 1 April 2014 and all
applications must reach the CMA by no later than
30 April 2014. Go to www.comrades.com for more info.

THE ULTRA WEATHERMAN
A word from Derek Van Dam, Chief
Meteorologist for eTV & eNCA

Images: Lauren van der Vyver, Jetline Action Photo & Courtesy adidas

“My expectation for this year’s Comrades is to
come home and proudly
hang my Back-toBack medal on
my living room
wall. It is a
particularly
special
race
for me
because it
will be the
second time
I run the race
with the love of
my life.”

DON’T MISS OUT!

Are you running your first Comrades and have
questions about training, race strategy and more?
Don’t panic! There are several interactive, informative
Bonitas Comrades Novice Seminars this April, where
you can pose all those burning questions to the
Comrades Marathon Coach and other experts in injury
treatment, shoes, nutrition and training.
• 1 April – Alphen Centre, Main Road, Constantia,
Cape Town
• 2 April – Italian Club, 17 Harold Road, Charlo,
Port Elizabeth
• 5 April – Nedbank Head Office, 90 Ordnance
Road (now known as Braam Fischer Road),
Durban

BACK TO FINISH IT

Radio personality Koula Budler on why
she’s taking on Comrades 2014
“Making it to the top of Pollys last year and being
cut off there due to time was a very humbling
experience. It was my seventh Comrades and
I thought I knew the race well. I’d never had a
DNF prior to Comrades 2013, but it was the first
time I had flown in from the US to run it, though,
and I hope that I’m better prepared in terms of
handling the jetlag this year. I am a little nervous
attempting it this year, but Comrades truly is the
greatest ultra in the world and I can’t wait to be
part of this incredible race again!”

The Nedbank Green Mile is the only official
spectator spot on the Comrades Marathon
route and has become a ‘must visit’ destination,
synonymous with running in South Africa.
Serviced by 302 contributors, including 152
entertainers, plus volunteers and 24 local service
providers, the 2013 activation benefitted nine
charities through sales and services. Some
60 000 spectators and nearly 15 000 runners
were treated to the Nedbank Spectator Spot
experience last year.

EXCITEMENT,
NERVES AND DREAMS
Modern Athlete readers give
their expectations as their
Comrades journey nears.
•

•
•

•

•

CINDY NKOMO: “After Om
Die Dam, I can’t wait. My first
Comrades, not nervous yet, pure
excitement.”
RHONWYN BRAYLEY: “It’s my
first one! So terrified!”
WYNAND STRYDOM: “Hope it
goes all well in my 20th this year.
Hope for another silver.”
AMIT CHIBA: “Excited but
nervous. I already started planning
my run for the day.”
ERIKA BOSCH: “I can barely
contain my excitement! The only
reason why I can’t wait for this
day to come is to be even more
prepared than I am now! It would
be my second attempt, but first
finish.”

COMRADES ONLINE
www.comrades.com
Twitter: @ComradesRace
Facebook: ComradesMarathon

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