Entries for the 2013 edition of the 90km race between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, which will be run for the 88th time, closed on Friday when the cap of 18 000 entries was reached.
“The enthusiasm and desire to run the Comrades Marathon has reached record levels, not only in South Africa, but across the globe," Van Staden said.
"However, it is mainly thanks to the South African runner that we have managed to maintain our position as world leaders in road running”.
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) said runners still had an opportunity to enter on Friday afternoon if they could submit their forms by going to the CMA office in Pietermaritzburg or by posting their completed entry form before close of business.