Latest news with #Dalais
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
All systems go for Comrades Marathon
This year's Comrades Marathon promises more than just a gruelling test of endurance — participants can expect a 'buffet' along the route and a 'jol' at the finish, according to the organisers. At the final media briefing held in Durban yesterday, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) declared that it's all systems go for the iconic ultramarathon, which starts in Pietermaritzburg and ends in Durban tomorrow. The Witness reports that CMA general manager Alain Dalais assured athletes that the route is fully prepared, with water stations fully stocked to keep runners hydrated. 'There will be about 47 water stations between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. They are all well-equipped and fully stocked with everything [runners need] until they cross the finish line. 'I can offer assurance that all the water tables will be loaded with every type of hydrating liquid you can think of. 'We also brought in plenty of bananas, potatoes, snacks and different kinds of bites or eats that are needed to keep the runners going or energised until the end. So, the runners are expected to have a buffet on the route while they enjoy the race,' said Dalais. He added that the finish line will offer a party atmosphere, with innovations designed to enhance the overall experience. 'Also, at the end of the race, our new changes and innovations at the finish will be exciting and everybody will enjoy it,' he said. One of the most significant changes is a street finish, bringing the Comrades in line with other major global marathons. 'I am glad to announce that this year's Comrades Marathon finish will be on the street. We all know that it is already happening with other international marathons like the London Marathon, New York Marathon and others,' Dalais said. The event is expected to be the largest in the race's history, with CMA chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo confirming a record-breaking 22 000 runners are set to take part. 'We have never experienced anything like this before, and that's why we spent long hours and weeks making sure that everything is in order,' Ngcobo stated. He emphasised that the latest changes were implemented with runner safety, security and enjoyment in mind. The KZN Tourism and Film Authority anticipates a significant economic boost, projecting an increase on last year's R600m economic spin-off. Hotels and other accommodation across Durban and Pietermaritzburg are expected to be fully booked. Msunduzi Municipality has undertaken extensive preparations for the start of the race, including road repairs, verge clearing and stormwater drain maintenance. 'Msunduzi Municipality has completed all route preparations and is ready to welcome thousands of athletes and spectators to Pietermaritzburg,' said municipal spokesperson Ntobeko Mkhize. Dalais confirmed a record number of international participants, with 3 063 runners from outside South Africa — 1 282 from the rest of Africa and 1 781 from overseas. An additional 3 000 international supporters are expected to accompany them. 'Many runners and their supporters — particularly the international visitors — spend extra time in the province after the race, booking game drives and safari visits to wildlife conservation areas,' Dalais added. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The South African
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Comrades Marathon confirms LONGER route for 2025 'down' run
Home » Comrades Marathon confirms LONGER route for 2025 'down' run The Comrades Marathon Association has announced the route distance for this year's 98th edition of The Ultimate Human Race. Image: CMA / Supplied The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has officially announced that the route distance for the 98th edition of The Ultimate Human Race is a challenging 89.98km. This year's race will be the 49th Down Run, taking place on Sunday, 8 June, with the race starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishing 12 hours later with a street finish outside Durban's People's Park. The 2025 race will be slightly longer than the 87.701km of the previous Down Run (2023), as the finish has been moved from the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead to a new street finish outside People's Park, in the northbound lanes of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue. This will include a finish-line grandstand for spectators erected in the southbound lanes of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, as well as a hospitality and entertainment area in People's Park, and space allocated for running club tents on either side of the finish. The longest Down Run in the history of the Comrades was 92km in 1971. The new street finish will create a more inclusive and celebratory atmosphere, as more people can gather to cheer on the participants, while also allowing better flow of runners and spectators, reducing congestion, and ensuring a smoother finish experience for all. Runners will not doubt be pleased to know that no steps will need to be climbed after they finish, with a short, flat walk from the finish-line to either the Club Tent hospitality area, or nearby parking areas – and a free shuttle service throughout the day will make getting to cars even easier. This precise distance of the route has been meticulously confirmed following thorough route measurement conducted by the CMA's Route Portfolio team, in close collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport's Road Traffic Inspectorate and the Durban Metro Police. 'The Comrades Marathon Association is incredibly proud to announce the official 89.98km distance for the 2025 Down Run,' said CMA General Manager, Alain Dalais. 'This carefully measured course embodies the spirit and tradition of The Ultimate Human Race, promising an unforgettable test of endurance and resilience for all participants. 'The route from the start will leave the City of Pietermaritzburg via Chief Albert Luthuli Street, turning right onto Alexandra Road and left onto Ritchie Road, which becomes Washington Road, and proceeding through Mkondeni to Polly Shortt's. 'These first 8km of the route are wide, spacious and well lit, thus ensuring safer running conditions for all participants.' 'We are really excited about the new finish venue, because it will provide both runners and spectators with a unique experience and inspirational end to the day's running,' added Dalais. 'The runners will enjoy an easier, smoother finish process, while loved ones and supporters will be right there to welcome their runners in, and the venue will help create a terrific finish-line atmosphere.' Two things drive the 2025 Comrades Marathon organisers: To improve both the runners' safety and race-day experience. With the largest ever field of around 22 000 Down Run starters expected, this prompted the CMA's decision to split the Start into two groups, with a slightly later start time to ensure more light and better visibility in the early kilometres, notably coming down Polly Shortt's. This will see the first group start at 05:45 and the second group setting off at 06:00. The two-batch start will ensure that runners experience similar free, open road running of the races in the 1990s and early 2000s, and the last runners in each start group are expected to cross the start line in under five minutes. Runners' start batch and seeding information will be finalised and shared shortly after the qualifying window for the 2025 race closes on Monday, 5 May. The two start groups will have different coloured race numbers – orange or purple – and there will be two similarly coloured finish chutes in Durban. Both start groups will have the traditional 12 hours to complete the race, and all the normal medal cut-off times at the finish, with volunteer 'spotters' and signage to ensure that runners enter the correct chute and receive the correct medals. A special sound will be played at the finish for the Group 1 race-end at 17:45, and the traditional final cut-off gun will be fired by the CMA Board Chairperson for the Group 2 race-end at 18:00. To further ensure the runners' safety and overall experience towards the end of the 12-hour race, the last 10km of the route will be well lit by both existing streetlights in Durban, as well as a large number of generator-powered mobile floodlight masts provided by the CMA. These will be positioned at darker points of the route from Westwood/45th Cutting to the finish precinct, as well as at all race-day parking areas, and all sidewalks and side streets from the finish to Jacko Jackson Drive (outside Hollywoodbets Kings Park). Furthermore, a large security response team will be in place in all the aforementioned areas until late in the evening of race-day, working with the finish venue security team and the SAPS to ensure the safety and protection of runners and spectators. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
