Comrades Marathon postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic

THIS year’s Comrades Marathon has been postponed to an unspecified date announced Athletics South Africa (ASA) on Friday.

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The race was originally supposed to be run on 14 June but ASA said a suitable date is still to be determined between the athletics association, KZN Athletics and the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA).

“As a responsible national federation, ASA accepts that the protection of all lives outweighs everything else. We also note that everyone is affected the same way by this law and this include athletes, coaches, event organisers, athletes’ representatives, administrators and communities,” said Aleck Skhosana, President of ASA.

“As it stands, however, let us prioritise the safety and health of every person, so that we can all return to our athletics programmes once it is considered safe to do so. We urge everyone to join hands with the Government to fight this pandemic by obeying regulations of the lockdown.

The decision to extend the postponement includes the following:

• All schools athletics activities including the ASA National Primary Schools T&F Championships scheduled for Pietermaritzburg. The event will remain at the same venue on a new date.
• All clubs and provincial activities, including, Fun Runs, Park Runs, Road-Running, Cross Country, Trail Running and Track & Field events.
• All ASA championships including the ASA Twizza National U16 – U20 Track and Field Championships, the 2020 ASA Athletics Grand Prix Series and the 3Sixty Life & Sizwe Medical ASA Senior T&F + Combined Events.

Chairperson of the Comrades Marathon Association, Cheryl Winn, said the association welcomed the announcement by ASA.

“CMA’s position is that there is no priority greater than the health, safety and welfare of our runners, volunteers, supporters, stakeholders and the lives of our fellow South Africans. Therefore, any decision on the eventual fate of the 2020 Comrades Marathon will be taken in conjunction with ASA and KZN Athletics.

“CMA also reiterated its advocacy for complete compliance with all regulations, guidelines and directives pertaining to the National State of Disaster, as well as pledging its total cooperation and support for ASA towards restoring some sort of equilibrium to the sport of athletics in South Africa in the coming weeks and months.”

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