Comrades Marathon at a glance: A look at the race by numbers

The Comrades Marathon is not only challenging for the participants, but also for the organisers, with the 87km point-to-point course requiring a significant amount of preparation.

Ahead of Sunday’s race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, we take a look at some of the logistics involved, and the magnitude of the event, with a glance at the race in numbers.

Entries

9 — All of SA’s provinces will be represented, led by Gauteng (7,398), KwaZulu-Natal (3,491) and the Western Cape (1,517)

84 — Countries which will be represented by participants in the race, including India (403), Zimbabwe (255), the UK (224), the USA (173) and Brazil (142)

ALSO READ: Entering the Comrades Marathon is not cheap, so where does your money go?

2,354 — International runners taking part

17,920 — Runners who have qualified to take part in the race, though a couple of thousand entrants are expected not to line up for various reasons

General

12 — The cut-off, in hours, that runners must dip under to earn a medal

48 — Finishes achieved by 71-year-old Dolphin Coast Striders runner Barry Holland who will target his 49th successive medal this weekend

87.701km — The route distance, which is more than 2km shorter than last year’s race

These volunteers plays an integral part to the success of #TheUltimateHumanRace.. We are forever grateful for their willingness to make the Comrades Marathon a success. #ThisIsIt #Ziyasha #Comrades2023 pic.twitter.com/67n474gqmj

— ComradesRace (@ComradesRace) June 3, 2023

95 — The number of times the annual race has been held, with the 96th edition taking place this weekend

500,000 — Bonuses on offer, in rands, for the men’s and women’s course records, on top of the R500,000 in prize money for the race winners

Safety

2 — Advanced life support practitioners to help runners at the finish line

8 — Paramedics on hand to assist finishers at Kingsmead Stadium

ALSO READ: Fordyce’s Comrades tales: Some superstitions do work

63 — Nurses from Netcare who will be available on the day to assist runners

32 — Ambulance staff who will transport runners who need to be hospitalised

Broadcast

2 — SuperSport channels which will broadcast the race live, with one (SS Variety 4) following the elite men and the mass participation event, and the other (SS Variety 2) focusing on the top women

9 — Outside broadcast vehicles needed to show live coverage of the race

45 — Cameras required to broadcast the event, including two low-light cameras to show the race build-up and the conclusion

200 — Members of the broadcast crew who will be on the ground to provide coverage throughout the event

NOW READ: Five things to know about the 2023 Comrades Marathon