AllAfrica.com in Pretoria reports — Cramps, muscle ache, tears and the joy of accomplishment are what thousands of athletes can expect on Sunday when they set off on the grueling annual Comrades Marathon. The Comrades Marathon, which usually takes place on 16 June (Youth Day) has been moved to 24 May.Organisers say that they had decided to bring the 89km race earlier to make way for the FIFA Confederations Cup which will be played in the country in June.
The annual race also known as the "Big Five Hills" will this year be a "down run", starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 5:30am and finishing in Durban's Sahara Stadium at 5:30pm.
Thousands of athletes from across the globe are expected to descend on the province this week to prepare for this fascinating race which is seen as a cherished national treasure and attracts thousands of runners, spectators and television.
The fact that the large contingent of regular Russian visitors, such as defending men's champion Leonid Shvetsov and the Nurgalieva twins Elena (four time winner) and Olesya (one win) are the overwhelming favourites to continue their domination of the race is probably not helping in terms of trying to generate excitement ahead of the event [Independent SA reports]. While not overlooking their undoubted brilliance as ultra-distance runners, the Russians have found Comrades particularly to their liking for one main reason.
Shvetsov, who holds the down record of 5hr20min41, could walk away from the race with over R750 000 (~70,000 US$)in prize money and incentives over and above sponsors fees, with the twins not too far behind. In fact, Comrades has turned into a one-off yearly payday for them. You could say it's a race they live for.
There are more than 12 800 individuals taking part in this year's 89km epic run.
Yes, in 2009 there are South Africans around who are capable of beating the Russians, including 2003 winner Fusi Nhlapo and Gauteng North's Riana van Niekerk. However, as far as the pundits are concerned Sunday's race is again set to be an all-Russian affair.
Having said that though, there are more than 12 800 individuals taking part in this year's 89km epic with individual reasons for doing so and ultimately they're all winners. For these runners Sunday sees the culmination of months of hard training and dedication being put to the test in an event which can definitely not be described as easy.
Some Comrades faces and figures:
Dave Rogers from KwaZulu-Natal will run his 44th race
Riel Hugo from Western Province will run his 41st race
Down run records
5hr20min41 by Leonid Shvetsov in 2007
5hr54min43 by Frith van der Merwe in 1989
Medals
Gold: First 10 Men and Women
Wally Hayward: Position 11 to six hours
Silver: Six hours to 7hr30min
Bill Rowan: 7hrs30min to nine hours
Bronze: Nine hours to 11 hours
Vic Clapham: 11 hours to 12 hours
Prize Money (Open) men and women
Position 1 - R220 000 (~20,000 US$)
Position 2 - R110 000
Position 3 - R82 500
Position 4 - R44 000
Position 5 - R33 000
Position 6 - R20 000
Position 7 - R17 600
Position 8 - R15 500
Position 9 - R13 200
Position 10 - R11 000
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