POLOKWANE – The marathon, set to start at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and conclude at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on August 28, received 15 226 entries as of May 10.
The majority of entries are from South Africa (13 813), while 1 413 international runners have submitted their entries thus far.
Polokwane Athletic Club (PAC) chairperson Corrie Calitz said they have not yet completed their list of runners who will participate. “Other athletes still have to participate in qualifying events but we aim to have more than 100 runners at the event.”
PAC runner Rocky Maropeng said he looks forward to his 13th Comrades Marathon. “I registered immediately when they opened the entries last year and I can’t wait for the event. We missed competing in the race these past two years. My duty as the bus driver or the pace setter is to help the runners finish the race. On the day of the marathon I will lead 100 athletes for the entire race and I look forward to the spectacle.”
Richard Bilisi, chairperson of Mzansi Athletics Club, said they will be represented by 62 runners who have registered, while more are expected to register before the due date of May 16.
Local runner Rufus Photo, who finished fifth in 2014 and 2016, said he aims for a top three position. “I entered last year and I have been preparing well for the event. I participated in a lot of local running events. I am fit, ready and aim for a podium finish.”
Race director Rowyn James said they urge runners who have not yet entered to get their entries in.
“We are planning a fantastic day of road running for both South Africans and international entrants. We have the lion’s share of international entries coming from the UK, India and Zimbabwe.”
James added that due to the considerable enquiries and demand from athletes, both locally and internationally, to secure an entry for this year’s down run, the Comrades Marathon Association decided to increase the entry cap from 15 000 to 20 000.
“We understand that our runners look forward to running the world’s greatest footrace again after the cancellation of both the 2020 marathons and the 2021 Centenary edition. We want to ensure that they have every opportunity to do so. We look forward to having as many runners as possible be part of this year’s Comrades down run and we have some big plans in place to make it a truly memorable event.”
