Those up for the 2012 Comrades Marathon challenge should take heed – the entry process is nearing its end, with just one week to go till the final countdown! The three month entry period for the world’s biggest ultra-marathon opened on 1 September and closes on 30 November 2011.
Having already amassed close on 16.000 entries to date, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has urged regular Comrades runners to make hay while the sun shines and enter within the week if they are not already part of next years exciting race day.
Top athletes from the Rainbow Nation and the rest of the continent have signalled their intention to compete in the 87th running of South Africa’s most gruelling road-running event. Nearly a thousand runners from more than 50 countries have already entered The Ultimate Human Race, thereby showcasing the historic road-running contest as an all-inclusive international affair.
Next year’s June third event is a down-run starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 5h30 and ending twelve hours later at Durban’s Sahara-Kingsmead Stadium. For logistical purposes, the enduring ultra-marathon has been capped at 18.000 participants.
Runners may enter at all Mr Price stores countrywide. To collect an entry form, please visit Sportsman Warehouseoutlets, local running clubs, provincial sporting federations and the CMA. Alternatively, prospective participants may hand deliver or post their completed entry forms and proof of payment to the CMA offices in Pietermaritzburg. Online entries can be accessed on the CMA website, www.comrades.com
Qualifying for the 2012 Comrades Marathon is applicable as of 29 May 2011 until 7 May 2012. Runners have been urged to take careful note of the entry criteria. For more details, please visit www.comrades.com
CMA Race Director Johan Van Staden says: ‘We at the CMA truly value the continuing support of all our runners and I want to use this opportunity to remind them of the limited time and places available. There will be no additional entry period after the cap of 18.000 or 30 November has been reached, whichever comes first. ’
It is worth noting that the Comrades Marathon is endorsed by the Guinness World Records as the biggest ultra-marathon on the planet!