Route change for Comrades Marathon

THE official distance of this year’s Comrades Marathon as well as changes to the route have been confirmed by the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA). CMA Race Director, Rowyn James said the officially measured and certified distance for this year’s down run is 90,184km.

The down run will be slightly longer than the previous down run route in 2016 which was 89,208km.

James has advised that some changes will be effected from the start at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.

“On race day, our runners will start their epic down run journey at the City Hall, running down Chief Albert Luthuli Street, heading east. From there they will continue along Alan Paton Avenue and then contraflow onto the N3 national freeway. From there, they will glide off right onto the Market Road on ramp and then left onto the slip road to CB Downes Road and then follow the traditional Comrades route towards Polly Shortts and onwards to Durban.”

“Regarding the route into Durban, athletes will follow the N3 under the Tollgate Bridge and then take the new fly-over into David Webster Street which becomes Bram Fischer Road. From there, our runners will turn left into Samora Machel Road which then becomes Masabalala Yengwa Avenue.”

James concludes, “Runners will then run contraflow in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue and cross to the north bound lane at Battery Beach Road. They will then take the pathway to the left between the bollards, pass the Virgin Active Gym and turn left into the tunnel before Nino’s and onto the field to the Finish Line at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.”

For more information visit www.comrades.com.