IntroductionMid August! As they say “time flies when you are having fun” and that’s exactly what seems to be happening here at the CMA offices. 1st September is approaching rapidly, which is the official launch date of the 2010 and 85th Anniversary of Comrades Marathon.
85th Anniversary Launch
The 1st September 2009 will see the official launch of the 85th Anniversary and Comrades 2010. This coincides with opening day for entries. The CMA will be hosting dignitaries and invited guests at Montecasino in Johannesburg for this special occasion. Look out for all the details in your local press or visit www.comrades.com after 16h00 on 1st September.
Entries for 2010
With just two weeks to go, the CMA offices have been inundated with faxes, emails and telephone calls from runners wishing to participate in next years 85th Anniversary race.
Entries will be cut off at 20,000 runners, and no extensions will be entered into. We urge all runners and potential runners that wish to run in 2010 to take careful note of the entry process and the cut-off dates. We therefore urge you to enter early to avoid disappointment. Entries will be done in 2 phases.
Phase 1: Entries Open - 1 September TO 31 October 2009
On the 1st of September 2009 entries will open to all previous Comrades Runners ONLY. Phase 1 will be capped at 15,000 entrants and will close on 31st of October 2009, or whichever comes first (eg. if we receive 15,000 entries by the 10th of October 2009 then no further entries will be accepted for previous Comrades runners for 2010).To qualify as a “previous runner” you must have started in a previous Comrades Marathon, even if you didn’t actually finish within the 12 hour time limit.
Phase 2: Calling All Novices - 1 November TO 30 November 2009
On the 1st of November 2009 entries will open to all Novices ONLY and will be capped at 5,000. Entries will close on 30 November 2009, or whichever comes first (eg. if we received 5,000 novice entries by 15th November 2009 then no further entries will be accepted).
No entries will be accepted after the cut off dates! No entries will be taken in 2010!
Qualifying period for 2010 will be as follows: 24 May 2009 to 26 April 2010.
Runners who finished the 2009 Comrades Marathon can use their finishing time as a qualifier for 2010. As in 2009, runners will be able to enter before they qualify. This means while all entries will have to meet the entry criteria above, runners will still be allowed to qualify in official qualifying races up until the month of April 2010, with the 26th April 2010 as the final cut-off date. Upon qualification, runners simply need to submit the time and details of the qualifying race through to the CMA office. Upon receiving the qualifying information the runner’s entry will be confirmed.
Club & Licenses Information for 2010
(for South African athletes only)
With the new opening and closing dates of entries for Comrades 2010, athletes will not be in possession of their 2010 licenses by the time of entry, however athletes will still have to comply with the rule that they must be licensed through an officially registered athletics club affiliated to Athletics South Africa in order to run the 2010 Comrades Marathon. As with the new qualifying criteria, you will be able to enter for Comrades 2010 before having received your 2010 license. You will however have to submit your club name and license number to the CMA before or by the 26th April. Failure to submit these details will result in your entry being rejected. Please note that the CMA will verify your license details with your club.
CMA Road Shows
The CMA Marketing department will embark on a mammoth road show project around South Africa during September and October. There will be 25 road shows in total. Please visit www.comrades.com to find out when and where the team will be. These are hugely beneficial to all runners and if you are able to attend, we suggest you do. The Comrades Coach, Lindsey Parry will be in attendance to assist with all your training requirements.
Comrades Guide 2010
The CMA has partnered with Runners World Magazine again this year, and we will be producing a 2010 Comrades Guide which will be bagged in the October edition of Runners World. Comrades tips, news, and schedules as well as various articles will all be in this exciting edition. The October edition will be on sale at your local news agency on 16 September 2009.
Win Your Entry Into Comrades 2010
Here is your chance to win your entry into the 2010 Comrades Marathon by simply entering this competition!
SMS “2010” to 38275
The prize guarantees your place in the 2010 Comrades Marathon and includes your entry fee. Subject to qualifying. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.
All SMS proceeds are donated to the Comrades Amabeadibeadi Charity Campaign. SMS charged at R10.00
Rules:
This competition is open for previous Comrades runners ONLY.
Competition opened on the 1st August 2009 and close at noon on the 31st August 2009.
The draw will take place and winners will be announced at the 2010 Launch on the 1st September.
The draw will be audited by BDO Spencer Steward.
Winners must still comply with the qualifying criteria.
10 winners will be selected and these entries will be over and above the 20,000 entry allocation.
AUDITED BY BDO SPENCER STEWARD
Mike Bath Retires
Mike Bath, a ‘hands on’ CMA member since 1982, Green Number 1260 with 10 medals, and the Curator of the Comrades Museum for the past 14 years, has decided to become a history statistic. His excellent committed service association with the Comrades Marathon ended in July, when he crosses the finish line of employment, to begin his next goal of well deserved retirement. With his justified departure, his vast history knowledge and experience of the Comrades Marathon will follow in his shadow.
Retire with confidence and pride Mike. You, your wife Gill and family, can look back with gratification and satisfaction at your service to the CMA, and all of which, will become another chapter in the ongoing events of The History of Comrades Marathon. In the context of your contribution, “Winners come and Winners go”, but they are never forgotten.
Comrades Wall of Honour
The Comrades Wall of Honour is situated on the Comrades route, Drummond. Please note that the price for the Wall of Honour memorial blocks has been set at R300.00 per block. This includes the block, plaque and engraving as well as maintenance and upkeep of the block and site for posterity. In order to qualify for this you must have completed at least one Comrades Marathon. Should you wish to purchase a block, please contact the CMA offices or send a request to info@comrades.com.
Spirit of Comrades Awards – Sponsored by GOLD FIELDS
The Gold Fields Spirit of Comrades Award is presented to a maximum of three people per annum in recognition of individuals who are esteemed to embody the “Spirit of Comrades”. The criteria are fairly wide but as a guideline the following factors may be considered:-
The candidate will have run the Comrades Marathon, most probably on numerous occasions.
The candidate may in some way be associated as an integral player in the history of the Comrades Marathon.
Most importantly the candidate may have exhibited a particular act of selflessness, sacrifice, courage or perseverance in a particular race or over a period of years.
You will be able to nominate your candidate for the Gold Fields Spirit of Comrades Awards by completing the nomination form.
Awards will be awarded at the discretion of The Board.
With the Annual Awards Function in October, we invite you to submit your nomination. Please complete the nomination form and forward to the CMA by 31 August 2009.
Click here to download the Nomination Form.
Laingsburg Karoo Ultra Marathon
The Lainsburg Karoo Ultra Marathon consists of three races, namely the 80km, 21km and a 10km. The 21km event features nine times Comrades Marathon winner Bruce Fordyce. He invites runners from all over South Africa to enter to run the Laingsburg Karoo Ultra Marathon and support a great race in the making. The race is run on tarred as well as dirt roads. The Karoo Ultra Marathon is also an official Comrades Marathon qualifier.
The event takes place on Saturday 12 September 2009. For more information please visit http://www.comrades.com/predefined.aspx?Page=150.
Closing
Until next month, training should be in full swing for most, remember not to do too much too soon.
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