Comrades 2019

• Litter
• Stop/park on the N3 national freeway
• Leave getting into the Pietermaritzburg area too late
• Forget to wear suitable headwear – it can get warm out there
• Disregard any municipal bylaws
• Be abusive towards traffic officials they are there to ensure your safety and that of your runner
• Try an gain access to the running route or finish line area
• Go anywhere near the medical tent at the finish, a medical  waiting area is provided
• Allow children to run or be carried with daddy/mommy over the finish line
• Make open fires e.g. for braaing along the route

• Get to the finish early to avoid the traffic congestion on the highway
• Obey any  race officials e.g. marshals, traffic officers, referees etc.
• Enjoy the day – it’s a long one but you can!
• Make use of the litter bins
•  Make use of the toilet facilities provided
• Cheer on and encourage all the runners
• Be mindful of residents and their property
• Plan your day in advance, where you want to be, when and how to get there
• Note the road closure times
• Park in designated areas

Twelve years after the last Comrades Marathon medal was introduced, the Comrades Marathon Association has included two new special medals into The Ultimate Human Race and has increased prize money for the Top 7 finishers.
The CMA has confirmed that the women’s equivalent of the Wally Hayward Medal (which is awarded to those runners who finish outside the gold medals, but under 6 hours i.e. Position 11 to sub 6 hours) will now be a part of the race going forward.
This medal will be named the Isavel Roche-Kelly Medal and will be awarded to those Women finishing in Position 11 to sub 7 hours 30 minutes (ie outside the gold medals, but under 7½ hours).
Roche-Kelly won both the 1980 and 1981 editions of The Ultimate Human Race and was the first woman to break the 7½-hour barrier in 1980, finishing her Comrades race in 7 hours and 18 minutes.  She went on to finish in 6 hours and 44 minutes the following year.
Sadly she passed away in a cycling accident in her native Northern Ireland at the age of only 24, just 3 years later.
The Robert Mtshali Medal will be the second new addition to the Comrades Medal Collection and will be awarded to those runners finishing in 9 hours to sub-10 hours.
Mtshali was the first unofficial Black runner in the 1935 Comrades Marathon, finishing his race in 9 hours and 30 minutes. This medal will be made of titanium.
Prior to 2000, only gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded. The Bill Rowan medal was introduced in 2000 and named after the winner of the first Comrades Marathon in 1921. The time limit for this medal was inspired by Rowan’s winning time in 1921 of 8hrs 59min.
A new copper medal, the Vic Clapham medal (named after the race founder), was added in 2003. This medal coincided with the increase in the time allocation for completing the event from sub 11hrs to sub 12hrs.
The Wally Hayward medal, named after five-time winner Wally Hayward, was added in 2007 for runners finishing in under 6hrs.

• Make the most of your time in Durban and set aside a date to visit the largest aquarium in Africa; see the magnificent dolphins in action or get Wet N’ Wild and enjoy  world class entertainment.  There is a Comrades special for runners  so contact 031 328 8000 or visit www.ushakamarineworld.co.za

• An icon of Durban, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, offers a variety of experiences for fun-seeking couples and families. This is your chance to see Durban like you’ve never seen before. What’s available: sky car rides , big rush big swing, sky car rides, stadium tours, Segway gliding tours, adventure walks, and people’s park. From 9am to 5pm. For more Info contact: 031 322 9955 or visit www.mmstadium.com

• The KZN Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence is mandated to be a global leader in bather protection against sharks while minimising environmental impact. The KZNSB protects bathers against shark attacks, conducts biological research on sharks and educates the public about the role of the sharks board and the role of sharks in the marine environment. What’s available: Audio-visual shark dissections, boat tours and a museum. For more Info contact: 031 826 6000 or visit www.shark.co.za

• With its incomparable harbour views, Wilson’s Wharf is Durban’s trendiest fusion of fun food, top shows and crafts, blended with the rustic interface of a boating marina and working slipways and including cruises, fishing, whale and dolphin watching. Sea cruises are over weekends at 12:30 and 14:30 costing R150 adults and R100 children. Harbour cruises are 30 minutes starting at 10:00 every hour on the hour until 16:00 for R80 adults and R50 children. Go to www.isleofcapri.co.za for more info or contact: 082 851 4787

• The beachfront Fun World Amusement Park on the Marine Parade provides entertainment for the whole family. Take the cable car to enjoy a scenic view of the beachfront from the air and then enjoy rides such as the Breakdance, Hully Gully, Tilt-a-Whirl or Swingboat. Younger children can the Elephant Ride or the Carousel to look forward to. For more Info contact: 031 3329776 or visit www.durbanfunworld.co.za

• Hailing from Bulwer in KwaZulu-Natal, Bongmusa Mthembu is the first South African to win both the Comrades Marathon Down Run (2018) and Up Run (2017) since 1987.
  Mthembu will undoubtedly be the main man to watch at the 2019 Comrades Marathon after his fabulous win at Two Oceans in April. His flawless victory en-route to Durban last year saw him become the first athlete since the legendary Bruce Fordyce (1988) to win back-to-back races.
  The 34-year-old won a bronze medal at the IAU 100km World Championships staged in Croatia last October. In addition to his three victories, Mthembu has another four gold medals to his name and will be on the hunt to become the first athlete since Stephen Muzhingi to win the race three times in a row. Mthembu also won the Comrades in 2014.

• After stunning the women’s field last year as she crossed the finish line at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in a time of 6:10:04, Anne Ashworth from Gauteng, is well prepared for the 2019 Up Run.
  Ashworth is in good form after leaving her career as an advocate to focus full time on this year’s race.
  She achieved a marathon PB of 2:35 at the Valencia Marathon in December and is a genuine contender to become the first female to win back-to-back races since Elena Nurgalieva.

• This is a niche cut into the bank of the cutting at the site of the Wall of Honour and is reputed to have been a favourite resting spot for the legendary Arthur Newton, 5 times winner of the Comrades Marathon in the 1920’s. Legend has it that runners who pay tribute to Arthur as they pass by placing flowers in the niche and doffing their peak with the greeting “Good morning Sir”, will enjoy a strong second half of the race.

• This wall is situated near Drummond, the halfway point, overlooking the Valley of 1000 Hills and was created to serve as a permanent landmark to commemorate the achievement of Comrades runners who have completed the epic journey between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Runners may purchase a block upon which is mounted a plaque recording their name, and number.

• The highest point on the course (820m) is situated at Umlaas Road, about 19km from Pietermaritzburg, and is unremarkable as it is not reached by any noticeable hill and probably goes unnoticed by most runners. A landmark is a concrete water tower on the other side of the freeway which passes near the route at that point.

• This named after the British 45th Regiment of Foot (Sherwood Foresters) stationed in Natal between 1843 and 1859 and who constructed a cutting through the hill near the present Mayville and is situated approx. 8km from Durban. On the up run this offers a moderately taxing ascent from the bottom of Mayville to the summit at 45th cutting.