This benevolent message took centre stage at the official launch of the 87th edition of The Ultimate Human Race, which kicked off in Johannesburg on Thursday, 25 August 2011. As in past years, the exciting event attracted the nation’s top runners and personalities.
The Comrades Marathon 2012 fires off outside Pietermaritzburg’s City Hall on Chief Albert Luthuli Street on Sunday, 3 June 2012. The much-anticipated 89km race will be a ‘down-run’, starting in ‘The City of Choice’ and ending at Durban’s Sahara-Kingsmead Cricket Stadium!
Entries will officially open at midnight on Spring Day, 1 September 2011 and close on Friday, 30 November 2011 or as soon as the cap of 18,000 entries is reached. The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has introduced some novel features to the entry process of the iconic ultra-marathon. For the first time, local (South African) runners qualify for an "early bird" entry fee during the first month of the 90-day entry period.
Other great news for runners is that the CMA has also approved for implementation in 2012, a Substitution Rule, the details of which will be announced in due course.
Prospective Comrades competitors are urged to enter the great race early in order to avoid disappointment, as entries are strictly on a first come first serve basis. Aspiring entrants are further reminded that entry requirements, which are clearly spelled out on the entry form, must be strictly adhered to at all times.
You may enter as follows:
- online on the Comrades Marathon website http://www.comrades.com/Entries/Online-Entry.aspx
- at Mr Price Sport, Home and Clothing stores countrywide (for South African Entrants)
- through the post by posting your completed entry form with proof of payment to the CMA office in Pietermaritzburg: P.O. Box 100621 Scottsville, 3209.
- Comrades Marathon House: by handing the completed entry form together with payment at the CMA office in Pietermaritzburg.
The spirit of giving is high on the Comrades Marathon’s social agenda. Hence, its major drive to give back to the millions of South Africans who make the race the icon that it is today. To this end, runners and supporters alike have been urged to foster the spirit of sharing and caring, and contribute to the Comrade’s charitable outreach initiative, the Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive.
Six nation-building charities namely, Starfish, Community Chest, The Sports Trust, Pink Drive, Wildlands Conservation Trust and World Vision have been appointed as the official charitable organisations which benefit from Amabeadibeadi fundraising initiatives, and in turn are involved in bringing meaningful change to the lives of disadvantaged South Africans.
By focusing on such issues as community development, care for the aged, health, Aids care and support, the environment and sports development, the respective charities through the Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive is in a good position to bring the intended meaningful change to affected communities across the Rainbow Nation and elsewhere.
Further to that, the CMA has for over a decade been making dreams come true for disadvantaged runners through its Underprivileged Runners Programme. This project provides material and moral support to about 800 Comrades runners every year, who would have otherwise been unable to participate in the ultra-marathon and share in the camaraderie and excitement of this epic event.
CMA Chairman, Peter Proctor says: ‘We at the CMA are determined to make a positive impact on the lives of underprivileged South Africans and the Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive is a definite way forward. It is wonderful to know that with every step you take a mouth is fed, with every mile you run a tree is planted.’
He adds: ‘We are committed to staging a superior event come 2012. We have visited marathons across the world and are confident that ours is by far, The Ultimate Human Race, as attested to by runners, both locally and globally, as well as the absolute authority on record-breaking achievements, namely The Guinness World Records. In this great spirit, we look forward to welcoming you to another spectacular Comrades Marathon in 2012.’
MEDIA RELEASE: Launch of Comrades Marathon 2012
Statement release, Thursday, 25 August 2011