All systems go for Comrades
19 May 2006
It's all systems go for the Comrades Marathon after local authorities gave the event the green light for the running of the 81st running of the race from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on Youth Day, 16 June.
Like the running of the 80th anniversary race last year, security will be enhanced throughout the route – from outside the Durban City Hall through to the Oval in Pietermaritzburg on the day.
Local assistance
As in the previous years the locals have come out to assist the Comrades Marathon Association in the smooth running of the race. The area between Umlaas Road through to Alverston has been one of the problem areas for the Comrades Marathon officials regarding security and since Nkosi Mlaba, the Chief of the area, came on board to allay the fears of the race officials, there have been little or no incidents on race day.
Every year Mlaba, the brother of the eThekweni Mayor, Obed Mlaba, has recruited
approximately 70 community marshals to assist in manning the stretch between Umlaas Road and Alverston.
"We are delighted that the community has joined hands with us in producing a world class event on the day. The marshals have been outstanding and we are extremely grateful to Nkosi Mlaba and his community for assisting us on the day. We are after all running through their area and we bring to a standstill all their activities on race day each year. We are extremely thankful to everyone concerned for allowing the Comrades Marathon to continue running through that area," Dave Dixon, Chairman of the Comrades Marathon Association said.
An appeal to cyclists
Meanwhile, the various local authorities and the South African Police Services, together with the Comrades Marathon Association, are to appeal to cyclists to keep off the Comrades route during the course of the race or face the possibility of being pulled off the course. The route is
closed to traffic on race day and those transgressing may have their bicycles impounded.
Race Manager, Renee Smit said: "We would like to appeal to cyclists to stay off the route, cooperate with the police, the race referees, and the local authorities for a smooth running of the race. This is the only way we can eliminate congestion on the road – it's extremely busy on the day – and the important factor is that we will be able to eradicate illegal seconding on race day."
Seconding during the Comrades Marathon is not permitted. There are more than 50 refreshments tables on the route, providing all the necessary liquid drinks plus other essentials for the runners.
There is no change to the route whatsoever since the last "Up Run" in 2004 and the distance has therefore been confirmed as 87.5km.
Source: Source: Comrades Marathon
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