As you all may know, we have now entered race month with the countdown to the actual race just 13 days away. Comrades fever has gripped the country and participants from across the globe are putting their final preparations in place for race day. The Comrades team has also been hard at work for the past couple of months to plan what is promised to be one of the best Comrades Marathons ever.
Nedbank
When you're facing the long road ahead and feel like you're all alone, it's good to know that you have a constant friend and companion by your side. Nedbank remains committed to you, the athlete pounding the streets in pursuit of your passion, and are determined to be with you during every step of the 2010 Comrades Marathon.
How we plan to do this will remain our secret for now but we are confident that you will be delighted with what Nedbank has in-store for you.
In order to speed up the registration process, Nedbank in conjunction with the COMRADES MARATHON ASSOCIATION are giving away 260 gifts to those runners who register on Thursday 27 May at the Bonitas Comrades Expo, which takes place on:
27 May : 09h00 - 19h00
28 May : 09h00 - 19h00
29 May : 09h00 - 17h00
Nedbank hosts "must visit" spectator hot spot
Located along the Old Main Road section of the race route in Kloof, and just 26km from the finish, the stunning setting offers easy access off the Eastbound M13. Visitors to the Nedbank Spectator Spot can expect a memorable family day out with DJ's spread along the Green Mile, live entertainment, race commentary, supporters' grandstand seating next to the Kloof hall or beautiful lawns to picnic on. The Nedbank Spectator Spot is arguably the best location from which to watch all the running action on the Comrades route. Stilt walkers, face painters, balloon artists and a full kids play area will be available for the young at heart. Also on offer are liquid and food refreshments on sale via local charities, dancing girls including some of the Sharkettes and hundreds of lucky prize giveaways throughout the day.
Runners passing through the Nedbank Green Mile will not miss out either. Besides the electric vibe, all runners can look forward to the only Green Energade on offer on race day, the famous Nedbank high5 tree hangers. Ten lucky runners wearing their official Nedbank Race Cap will win cash prizes worth a total of R17 000-00 should they beat the gun.
All welcome, so come be part of the Action!
Donations
In true Comrades spirit, the CMA received a very kind donation all the way from Memphis, Tennessee in the United States. Rebecca Adelman, who is participating in her very first Comrades Marathon, has made a very special donation of $10 000 USD, as well as other supplies such as shirts and school supplies to the Enthembeni School situated at Drummond, on the Comrades Marathon race route. Our sincere appreciation goes out to Mrs Adelman for this special gesture.
Pedro Neto from Portugal also contributed a sizeable donation of R11 484.00 to the Amabeadibeadi 2010 charity drive.
The CMA wishes to thank all our International runners who have donated generously for our charities this year.
Bonitas Comrades Expo
The Bonitas Comrades Expo and registration will take place three days prior to race day, namely
27 May : 09h00 - 19h00
28 May : 09h00 - 19h00
29 May : 09h00 - 17h00
at the Durban Exhibition Centre and Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg. Runners are encouraged to register early.
KwaZulu-Natal Youth Run
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport & Recreation in conjunction with the Comrades Marathon Association and KwaZulu-Natal Athletics will be hosting a Youth Run at Hoy Park in Durban on the 29 May 2010. The race is open to participants over the age of 9. Entries will be accepted at the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics offices at the Kings Park Athletics Stadium, 41 Walter Gilbert Road, up to Wednesday, 26 May 2010. Entries will also be taken at the Bonitas Comrades Expo on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 May from 09h00 to 19h00.
Entries for the 10km Run/Walk which is for participants with a minimum age of 15 is R15.00 for licensed athletes and R25.00 for unlicensed athletes, starts at 09h00.
The 5km Run/Walk that commences 15 minutes later, with runners required to be a minimum of 9 years of age are required to pay a entry fee of R10.00, with scholars requiring R5.00 for entry.
Please note that no entries will be taken on race day.
Final Route & Distance
After careful consideration, due to the increase in entries for the 2010 Comrades Marathon the CMA has made a change to the Comrades race route in Pietermaritzburg. The slight route change allows for an easier flow for the runners and will facilitate a quicker exit from the Pietermaritzburg City Centre.
The new route from the Start will proceed down Chief Albert Luthuli (formerly Commercial Road), turn right into Alexandra Road, and then proceed to the Ritchie Road / Alexandra Road Intersection. The runners will then turn left into Ritchie Road and proceed to Washington Road where it will join the regular Comrades route.
This route offers a much wider and free flowing run and should alleviate congestion on the road.
Runners are cautioned to the fact that there are 3 traffic control "speed bumps" in Alexandra Road, but this should not cause any problems as this part of the road is very well lit.
The official route distance for the 2010 Comrades Marathon is confirmed as 89.28km.
Cut off points - Race Day
With the adjustments made to the official route, the respective cut off times have been changed slightly, please make note of the following cut off points and the amended cut-off times:-
Cato Ridge 5:10:00 (10h40)
Drummon Halfway 6:10:00 (11h40)
Winston Park 8:30:00 (14h00)
St. Johns Avenue 10:00:00 (15h30)
45th Cutting 11:20:00 (16h50)
Pietermaritzburg 2010 World Cup Walk
The Chairman of the Comrades Marathon Association Mr Dave Dixon and His Worship the Mayor of the Pietermaritzburg CLLR Mike Tarr invites you and your family to participate in the Comrades Marathon / Pietermaritzburg 2010 World Cup Walk on the 25 May 2010.
This walk is intended to be a build up to the 2010 Ultimate Human Race, the Comrades Marathon and a show of support by the City of Pietermaritzburg for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the national team Bafana Bafana.
This walk will start at the Voortrekker Höer Skool Grounds opposite the Royal Show Grounds in Pietermaritzburg at 11h00 in the morning of the 25 May 2010 and will finish at the Harry Gwala Stadium. Between 11h00 and 11h30, participants will be taught the 2010 FIFA World Cup Diski Dance before the commencement of the walk.
This walk is planned to follow this route: From the Royal Show Grounds down Chief Albert Luthuli Street towards the City Hall. The proceedings will stop for a few moments outside the City Hall where the start of this year's Comrades Marathon is.
From there the walk will continue down Albert Luthuli and turn right into Alexander Road past the Police Station and turn right at the traffic lights into Princess Elizabeth Drive leading to the Harry Gwala Stadium where the proceedings will finish.
There will an address by different speakers at the finish including the Chairman of the Comrades Marathon and His Worship the Mayor of Pietermaritzburg.
Participants are requested to wear their Bafana Bafana jerseys or those of their favourite South African teams, and also to bring their vuvuzelas and South African Flags to show their support and share in the excitement.
Wave your flag
The CMA invites all Comrades Athletes to bring their South African flag to the Start and Finish of the 2010 Comrades Marathon. At the same time all international athletes are requested to bring their national flag to the race where we will celebrate 85 years of the Comrades Marathon as part of the biggest sport celebration South Africa has ever seen, the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
WAVE YOUR FLAG IN CELEBRATION!
Comrades Supporters T-shirts
With all the attention on the runners, the supporters seem to be forgotten. Supporters form an integral part of the Comrades marathon as these are the people who give the runners that extra push towards the finish line.
Supporters can feel more valued during the Comrades with the Comrades Supporters t-shirts available at R70.00 (including postage).
With limited stock available, supporters are urged to get their hands on them as soon as possible.
More information on this and other queries can be submitted to thami@comrades.com.
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