A runner’s route guide to the virtual Comrades in Mbombela and surrounds

Runners young and old will celebrate the camaraderie and joy of 100 years of the “Ultimate Human Race” through their participation in the Comrades Centenary Hope Challenge this Sunday.

Traditional Comrades Marathon runners, their spouses, parents, children and even their pets will take to the streets and bring the magic of the world’s biggest, oldest and most famous ultramarathon to life in their neighbourhoods, towns, cities and countries across the world.

Many Lowvelders have confirmed their participation in this year’s second virtual event to be hosted by the Comrades Marathon Association since the onset of Covid-19 and the subsequent cancellation of mass participation events worldwide.

ALSO READ: The 2021 centenary Comrades Marathon has been cancelled

If you are looking for a safe route, coach Peter Smit suggested the below options. “This is merely an open invitation to runners, and because it is a virtual race, runners can start at their own time,” he said.

Celeste Oosthuizen, Delina Schatz and Steven and Gilda Mavromatis of Run Walk for Life, along with Sibusiso Vilane of Born to Win, have confirmed they would be taking on the 90 kilometres, starting at the Long Tom Cannon at 05:00 and ending at Hilltop.

• The 45-kilometre race runners are to start at 05:00, 1,7 kilometres after the Hendriksdal turn-off on the R37 Sabie/Lydenburg Road. Runners will then follow the route back to Mbombela where they will finish more or less at the traffic lights at the Halls Shell garage. “It will be clearly marked in yellow. Due to an extremely dangerous blind curve in the road, I had to move the start 200 metres back. Please confirm on your watch/device,” he said. See below:

• The 21-kilometre race runners are to start 1,3 kilometre after the White River turn-off (Brondal) at 06:00. Runners will also follow the route back to Mbombela where they will finish 80 metres after the entrance to where the Parkrun used to be held. “The start is painted on the road in yellow, and there will also be a marker. Once you have crossed the bridge on the ring road, do not turn left at the circle leading up to the stadium (Matsafeni Road). Turn right towards the traffic light, cross the road before the robot and keep to the left towards Halls. Turn left at the robot at the garage and stay on the pavement till you reach the finish. Confirm on your device/watch. See below: 

• For the 10 kilometres (starting at 06:30), runners have three options:

– Start 500 metres before the entrance to Eskom Distribution: Sterkspruit Technical Service Centre, Mbombela, on the R37. The number 10 will be painted in yellow and there will be a marker. (-25.40969494936825, 30.906800413407513). See below: 

– Start at the entrance to the Parkrun towards Samora Machel Road. Turn right, and right again at the next traffic light. Turn left at the circle and take the ring road towards Sabie. Turn around more or less 100 metres after the gravel turn-off towards Cairn on your left. See below: 

– Start at the exit of Halls after the MTPA, proceed for five kilometres towards Pretoria on the N4 and turn around at the Sterkspruit turn-off on your right. Finish more or less 50 metres before the start. Confirm on your device.

Smit reminded runners that Covid-19 regulations will apply, and there will be no water points.