Of the 21 635 runners who qualified for this year’s Comrades Marathon, the organisers expect at least 20 000 to turn up on the day.
Comrades Marathon Association general manager Keletso Totlhanyo told City Press that “24 600 runners were registered before the deadline, but only 21 635 qualified. We will know the actual number only after registration as some runners qualify but do not attend registration.”
It is the 94th edition of the world’s largest and oldest ultra-marathon race. It was the vision of World War 1 veteran Vic Clapham and only 34 runners took off outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on May 24 1921 – then known as Empire Day.This year’s entry fees were broken up in this way: South Africans R600; foreign athletes from Africa/SADC countries R1 500; and international foreign athletes R3 800.
. R14.7 million – the amount that would have been raised from registration fees if all 24 600 runners had paid a registration fee of R600;. 200 000 – the smallest crowd attendance along the route on race day to date;. R1 245 000 – the amount the winner can take home if he/she is from KwaZulu-Natal.
To some, the above makes “cents” to take to the road for 87km over five or more hours. But for most, it’s the achievement of running the race and becoming a true Comrade.