Comrades Standard Package

Comrades Marathon Hotel – Standard Package

Comrades Tour Itinerary

Comrades Marathon Information

The first Comrades Marathon took place on 24th May 1921, Empire Day, starting outside the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg with 34 runners. It was established in memory of the fallen soldiers from South Africa in World War I and has continued since then every year with, the exception of the war years 1941-1945, with the direction alternating each year between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, the so called up and down runs.

The course varies from uphill (Durban to Pietermaritzburg) to downhill (Pietermaritzburg to Durban) depending on the year, with the downhills being run on even numbered years and uphill on the odd numbered years.

Less than an hour’s drive from the hotel you can access local Game Farms, visit the quaint Kwazulu-Natal Midlands and experience the local Zulu Culture at traditional Zulu cultural villages. Talk to us about the options for your stay in South Africa.

ENTRIES
Entries for the Comrades marathon open on 1 September. Entries will close on 30 November for all runners, including internationals.

COURSE
2020 is an DOWN RUN starting in Pietermaritzburg finishing in Durban.

QUALIFICATION
All entrants must comply with the Comrades Marathon qualifying criteria. If you do not supply qualifying details with your entry, you must submit your club name, license number and qualifying details by no later than 2 May 2018 (tbc).

All entrants must qualify by completing an officially recognized race, technically approved by the local athletics federation, according to the following table during the period of 1 August 2017 to 2 May 2018 (tbc).

AGE RESTRICTION:
The minimum age requirement is that the athlete must be 20 years or older on the day of the race (ASA Rule 11). Please note that the athlete must be 20 years of age on the day of running the qualifying event.
 

RESTRICTION ON ENTRY:
The Comrades Marathon is restricted to club registered runners only. South African entrants must be current 2018 licensed members of a club, affiliated to Athletics South Africa through their provinces. The domicile rule will be strictly enforced. No athlete may run for a club other than a club registered in the Province in which they domicile, unless they are registered on the current ASA National List. No runner may run with an animal under any circumstances. Athletes will not be in possession of their 2018 licenses at the time of entry. They will be able to enter, however they MUST submit their club name and license number to CMA no later than 16h30, 02 May 2018. Failure to submit these details will result in the entry being rejected. INTERNATIONAL ENTRANTS WHO MAY BE IN CONTENTION TO WIN A CATEGORY PRIZE MUST PRODUCE A CLEARANCE LETTER ON SUBMISSION OF ENTRY, FROM THEIR COUNTRY FEDERATION.
 

FOREIGN ATHLETES:
Foreign athletes must strictly observe IAAF Rule 4 paragraph 2. Foreign athletes, particularly those who hope to win any prize, must note that in order to take part in the event, written approval (a permit) from their own federation is required. All foreign athletes, particularly those who hope to win any prize, should hand over their permits (as per IAAF Rule 4 paragraph 2) to the event organisers any time before the event takes place. All foreign athletes who violate IAAF Rule 4 or who do not produce permits on demand, will not be eligible to win any prize. In a case where a foreign athlete is entered through a South African Athletic Club, it is the responsibility of the club to secure the permit from the athlete, and hand it over to the race organisers before the event takes place. Event organisers reserve the right to stop any foreign athlete who does not hold a permit required under IAAF rule 4, from taking part in their event. If a foreign athlete violates IAAF rule 4 or ASA rule 4 and accepts a prize without producing a permit, and the athlete has entered the event through a South African Athletic Club, then the club in question will also face disciplinary action by ASA.
 

RUNNING KIT, SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING:
Runners are encouraged to wear club colours officially registered with their provincial bodies (however this is not compulsory), or unbranded running kits (ASA Rule 13.1). In the event of a team competition, athletes must wear their club colours as officially registered with their provincial bodies. THE TWO OFFICIAL 2018 COMRADES MARATHON RACE NUMBERS MUST BE WORN ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF YOUR UPPER BODY GARMENT THROUGHOUT THE RACE, AND NOT ON YOUR RUNNING SHORTS, AS THIS WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION. The sponsored cap which, which you will receive in your runner’s goodie bag, is the PREFERRED (but not compulsory) branded heargear permitted on race day. Runners must familiarize themselves with and abide by the advertising rules as per the IAAF and ASA Rulebooks. (IAAF Rule 143 and ASA Rule 13.1 and advertising regulations.) These provisions apply for the duration of the race including warming up, all race ceremonies and official press conference. Under no circumstances may a runner display a political slogan in any matter or form. (IAAF Rule 2(a)).
 

SECONDING \ PHYSICAL ASSISTANCE:
The no mobile seconding rule will be very strictly enforced. No seconds may drive, cycle or run alongside any athlete on the route. The stand and hand rule, whereby a runner’s seconds may stand at any point on the route and hand refreshments to their athlete while they remain stationary, will apply. No seconds may travel on the route. No pacing will be permitted. Any transgressions will lead to disqualification. Any athlete being found carried along the route and/or before the finish line will be liable for disqualification. (IAAF Rule 144). With reference to IAAF Rule 144.2(b) athletes who are contention for any position or category prize are not allowed to be in possession of or use any form of mobile or similar device.
 

INTERNATIONAL BUS TOURS:
Bus tour tickets are NOT included in the international entry fee. The tour is limited to a runner and two guests. Tours can be booked with your entry. Tour tickets will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. The cost of the bus tour is R400.00.
 

TIME LIMITS & CUT OFFS:
The race is run from “gun to gun”. The cut-off times for these points will be confirmed in the final race instructions. The CMA reserves the right to alter these positions. Runners will be required to board a rescue bus and be transported to the finish venue should they not have reached the cut-off points within the specified time.
Athletes MUST retire once ordered to do so by an official medical delegate or medical staff. [IAAF Rule 240 7]. Failing to obey these officials WILL lead to your exclusion in entering or participating in the 2018 race.
The cut-off points will be clearly sign posted and do not relate to the location of any timing mats or other markers along the route.
 

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