Changes add nearly 900m to Comrades route
Due to the GO!Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network roadworks in Josiah Gumede Road (Old Main Road), Pinetown, the route has deviated slightly for Comrades race day.
COMRADES Marathon Association (CMA) has announced the final race distance for the world’s biggest and oldest ultra-marathon, the 90th Comrades Marathon up-run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 31 May.
CMA race director, Rowyn James, confirmed the route measurement’s official distance is 87. 72km, making it one of the longer up-runs in recent history.
James explained that due to the GO!Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network roadworks in Josiah Gumede Road (Old Main Road), Pinetown, the route has deviated slightly for Comrades race day.
The CMA took the decision in accordance with its strict protocols on runner safety. The deviation occurs between the 69km and 67km to go Bonitas Kilometre marker boards, and means an extra 877 metres have been added onto the same route as the 2013 up-run.
“The construction in Pinetown does not adversely affect the route or the race, and everything has been done by ourselves and the municipality to minimise the impact on the event,” added James.
Runners coming down Cowies Hill into Josiah Gumede Road in Pinetown will turn left into Beviss Road, just beyond the SAPS Building, then right into Bamboo Lane, cross over St Johns Avenue and then turn right into School Road, cross over Josiah Gumede Road, and turn left into Kings Road, crossing over Crompton Street and Glenugie Road before turning left into Anderson Road and then right back into Josiah Gumede Road to resume with the existing route towards Fields Hill.
James stressed that Pinetown is the only place where the route deviation will occur. The remainder of the 87.72km route will stay the same as the up-runs of the recent past.
“The CMA has worked closely with our provincial athletics federation, KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, in terms of route measurement and the deviation and will continue to do so with regard to other related contingencies. We look forward to an amazing race day for our runners and supporters alike,” added James.
The following cut-off times will be in place at various points along the route and runners need to factor this into their overall race day plan.
The cut-off time for Cowies Hill is at 8.10am, Winston Park is 10am, Drummond (halfway) is at 11.30am, N3 subway-Cato Ridge is at 1.30pm, Umlaas Road interchange is at 3pm and the Top of Polly Shortts is at 6.40pm.
The new cut-off introduced is at the base of Cowies Hill, the intersection of Josiah Gumede Road and Otto Volek Road (opposite the Sandy Shopping Centre).
