Route change for Comrades 2017
There has been a minor adjustment in the last 7 to 8km of this year's up run route.
AS runners prepare themselves for this year’s Comrades Marathon up run, the race’s association announced the official distance of the 2017 Comrades Marathon as well as marginal changes to the route.
CMA race director, Rowyn James, said, “The officially measured and certified distance is 86.73km. With regards to the route changes, we will return to the original up-run course through Pinetown without any detours and follow the traditional route from the start outside the Durban City Hall all the way to Pietermaritzburg, except for the last 7km or so.”
“In line with the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2010, he also confirmed that the Scottsville Racecourse will serve as the finish venue for this year’s race. ”
James said: “Aligning with the requirements of the Events Act necessitated the move to the racecourse. The landmark location served as the finish venue of both the 1998 and 2000 editions of the Comrades Marathon. The route is similar to the one used in the 1998 and 2000 Comrades Marathons, with a few minor tweaks here and there,” said Rowyn.
The 2017 Comrades up-run will be slightly shorter than the two most recent up-run routes. The 2013 route was 86.86km long while the 2015 route measured 87.72km.
Rowyn said, “We are working closely with the owners of the Scottsville Racecourse, Gold Circle, to ensure the facilities and other arrangements align with Comrades Marathon standards as well as meet the needs of our runners and spectators on race day.”
In 2015 the route was amended to accommodate the Go!Durban development. The changes added nearly 900 metres were added to the route that year.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with only your name and surname to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
