Comrades: 'It comes from within'
9 November 2005
Following on a highly successful 2005 Comrades Marathon, which incorporated festivities to celebrate the 80th running of the world's most prestigious ultra-marathon, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has unveiled the theme which will be associated with the 2006 race.
CMA Chairperson Dave Dixon confirmed that the organisers were determined to capitalise on the momentum gained over the past year through aggressive marketing of the race.
Big increase in entries
In 2005, entries increased by 16%, including 26% increases in the number of women and foreign athletes and a 29% increase in the number of novices.
"We were particularly gratified by these figures as these are the specific target areas we had identified as being crucial to the future growth and sustainability of the race," Dixon said.
"We were able to catch a ride on the 80th celebrations this year, and together with our message that
'every South African should run the Comrades Marathon at least once in their lifetime' we were able to reach out and inspire thousands of people.
"For next year we have decided to focus on the spirit of the people who participate in this exceptionally challenging and uniquely South African event," Dixon said.
"What is it that defines a Comrades Marathon runner, setting him or her apart and enabling otherwise ordinary individuals to attempt and achieve what is an extraordinary feat?
'What lies within us'
"We need to look no further than the words of the 19th century American author, poet and philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote: 'What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us'.
"'It comes from within' is the catchphrase we have chosen to portray the challenge and spirit of the Comrades Marathon, an event which demands courage, character, commitment and camaraderie from its
participants."
The CMA will embark on an aggressive marketing campaign over the next four months, visiting clubs and races throughout the country, as well as promoting the Comrades Marathon at other sporting expos, through its official sponsors' in-house newsletters, radio and television networks, and through participation in a series of sponsors' and other organisations' Wellness Days and Clinics.
Announcements for 2006
At the launch of the 2006 theme, recently appointed CMA race manager Renee Smith made a number of announcements regarding the 2006 race.
The qualifying period for the 2006 Comrades Marathon will extend from 16 June 2005 to 8 May 2006. This means that all 2005 Comrades Marathon finishers automatically qualify to run in 2006.
The closing date for entries has been extended to 8 May to accommodate the Nedbank Johannesburg City Marathon on 7 May, which forms part of the recently launched ASA City Marathon and Short
Distance Road Race Series.
The Comrades Experience
The concept of the Comrades Experience, a sport and lifestyle expo which was an innovation introduced to South Africa in 1983, which has since been emulated by other sporting events, is being completely revisited.
The first stage of a completely revamped Comrades Experience will be introduced in 2006 with the emphasis on the word "experience" in terms of being interactive, entertaining, educational, informative and fun, as opposed to the traditional expo concept which the organisers believe has become somewhat stale.
The 2006 Comrades Experience will be a two-day event on 14 and 15 June at the Durban Exhibition Centre.
Certain innovations which formed part of the 80th Comrades Marathon Week of Festivities in 2005 proved both successful and popular, and the organisers have decided to retain them as supporting events. These include the Street Miles, Fun Run, and Wheelchair
and Disabled Race.
Back-to-Back medal
The Back-to-Back Medal, introduced in 2004, will now be a permanent feature of the race and will henceforth be awarded at the finish to runners who complete their first Up Run and Down Run in succession.
With regard to the route, at this stage there are no changes anticipated from that of the last Up Run in 2004. However, this could change as the organisers are presently engaged in a feasibility study to determine the most suitable finish venue in Pietermaritzburg.
Finally, the CMA will be introducing a ChampionChip mat at the start for the first time in 2006, in order to accurately record the number of starters and to eliminate cheating.
The organisers have stressed that this mat will be programmed to record a start only, and not a starting time, as the race will continue to be run "gun-to-gun" and there will be no concession made for runners who take two to six minutes to cross the
starting line.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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