Another new development at refreshment stations is the provision of Pepsi Cola. As from this year Pepsi Cola will partner with the Comrades Marathon Association as the race’s official carbonated-drink supplier and will provide Pepsi Cola, Mountain Dew and Mirinda along the route on race day! Athletes are urged to do the switch sooner rather than later as Pepsi Cola has agreed to sponsor the Comrades Marathon up to and including the 2013 Comrades Marathon.
The majority of the Comrades runners spend in excess of ten hours on the route and require solid food in the second half of the race. These refreshment stations will be adequately stocked with foods such as cooked baby potatoes, chocolates, bananas, oranges and biscuits. Comrades Marathon Race Director Johan Van Staden stressed the importance of adequate nutrition while running the world’s top ultra-marathon: “We at the CMA, pride ourselves of the fact that we make sure that the interests of the athletes are always paramount. The race can be extremely unforgiving and if an athlete is not well-nourished for the full duration of the race, he/she can easily get into trouble. We have made provision for enough food and drinks for everybody,” he said.
The table that follows lists the magnitude of the sustenance that will be available to Comrades runners on 29 May 2011.
DESCRIPTION QUANTITY
Pepsi Cola, Mountain Dew and Mirinda 38,000 litres
Water 2,000,000 150ml sachets
Energade 660,000 150ml sachets
Mega Load 62,000 units
Energade Sports Jellies 300kgs
Bananas 600 boxes
Oranges 784 bags
Mageu Number 1 10,000 -150ml sachets
Chocolates 1,2 tons
Biscuits 800kg
Vaseline 240 tubes 500g
Sunscreen 300 tubes 500ml
Arnica Ice 600 tubes 500ml
Loobit 600 tubes 500ml
Potatoes 7 tons
***ENDS***
Statement Released on Friday, 13 May 2011