Athletics
Huge field for 2010 Comrades
2010-03-16 18:05
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Durban - The Comrades Marathon Association have received 23 565 entrants for this year's race.
This is the second largest "potential" field of runners in history of the Comrades Marathon. In 2000 24 500 started the race. The CMA expect to have a decrease of 8% from runners that do not make the starting line due to not qualifying, or injuries obtained etc, but expect no fewer than 20 000 to line up at the start on May 30.
The cut off date for runners to submit their qualifying details is April 26.
After careful consideration due to the increase in numbers running in this year's event, it was decided at a meeting between the PMB Traffic authorities and the Comrades Marathon Route Committee, to effect a change to the exit route from PMB.
The slight route change will allow for an easier flow for the runners and result in a quicker exit from the PMB City Centre.
The new route from the start will proceed down Chief Albert Luthuli (Commercial Road), turn right into Alexandra Road, and then proceed to the Ritchie Road / Alexandra Road Intersection.
The runners will then turn left into Ritchie Road and proceed to Washington Road where it will join the regular Comrades route.
This route offers a much wider and free flowing run and should alleviate congestion on the road.
There are three traffic control "speed bumps" in Alexandra Road, but this should not cause any problems as this part of the road is very well lit.
The CMA Route Committee, is in the process of measuring the new exit from PMB, but in all likelihood, will not change the final distance by any substantial manner. It is expected that the final distance will change by +-300 metres from the 2009 route.