The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has announced the final race distance for the 90th Comrades Marathon. CMA Race Director, Rowyn James has confirmed that the route measurement has been finalised and the official distance is 87,72km, making it one of the longer Up-Runs in recent history.
James has explained that due to the GO!Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network road-works in Josiah Gumede Road (Old Main Road), Pinetown, the route has deviated slightly for Comrades race day. The CMA took the decision in accordance with its strict protocols on runner safety. The deviation occurs between the 69km – 67km to go Bonitas Kilometre marker boards and means an extra 877 meters has been added onto the same route as the 2013 Up-Run.
James continues, “The construction in Pinetown does not adversely affect the route or the race and everything has been done by ourselves and the Municipality to minimise the impact on the event.”
Runners coming down Cowies Hill into Josiah Gumede Road (Old Main Road) in Pinetown will turn left into Beviss Road just beyond the SAPS Building, then right into Bamboo Lane, cross over St. Johns Avenue and then turn right into School Road, cross over Josiah Gumede Road, and turn left into Kings Road crossing over Crompton Street and Glenugie Road before turning left into Anderson Road and then right back into Josiah Gumede Road to resume with the existing route towards Fields Hill.
James has stressed that Pinetown is the only place where the route deviation will occur. The remainder of the 87.72km route will stay the same as per the up-runs of the recent past.
James concludes, “The CMA has worked closely with our provincial athletics federation, KwaZulu-Natal Athletics in terms of route measurement and the deviation; and will continue to do so with regard to other related contingencies. We look forward to an amazing race day for our runners and supporters alike.
James has advised that the following cut-off times will be in place at various points along the route and that runners need to factor this into their overall race day plan.
The new cut-off introduced is at the base of Cowies Hill – corner of Josiah Gumede Rd (Old Main Road) and Otto Volek Road intersection (opposite Sandy Shopping Centre).
The 90th running of the world’s biggest and oldest ultra-marathon will be an ‘up-run’ from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 31 May 2015. For details on the race, please visit www.comrades.com