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Durban - Security at the Comrades Marathon on Sunday would be a practice run for the World Cup, which starts in two weeks, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Friday.
"The Comrades marathon will be seen as a bench-mark to show the police's state of readiness for the FIFA World Cup," said spokesperson Vincent Mdunge.
"We will be ready to deal with anything that threatens the event."
The 89.28km ultra-marathon is being held for the 85th time this year and 20 000 people entered for the run from Pietermartizburg to Durban.
Police would monitor the event from start to finish with officers in helicopters, on horseback and with dogs, said Mdunge.
Comrades Marathon spokesperson Craig Fry said there would also be 160 rescue buses on standby.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Jeff Wicks said paramedics were more than ready to provide medical assistance during the event.
The weather condition expected on Sunday were cloud with light wind.
A Weather Service spokesperson, Wiseman Dlamini, said: "Pietermaritzburg will be cold in the morning with fog.
"Weather conditions will warm up on the route to Durban and it will be partly cloudy in the afternoon," he said.
Hydrated
"More than 10 000 people finished the Comrade Marathon last year and we are hoping the number will increase," said Fry.
He warned first-time runners not to use up all their energy in the first part of the race and to make sure they remain hydrated throughout the race.
Runners should also listen to their bodies when in pain.
"Walk if needs be and get assistance. Most of all, people should enjoy the race," he said.
Metro police spokesperson Joyce Khuzwayo said motorists in Durban should not use any central streets between Monty Naicker road (formerly Pine Street) and Samora Machel street (formerly Aliwal street) during the marathon.
"The Comrades marathon will be seen as a bench-mark to show the police's state of readiness for the FIFA World Cup," said spokesperson Vincent Mdunge.
"We will be ready to deal with anything that threatens the event."
The 89.28km ultra-marathon is being held for the 85th time this year and 20 000 people entered for the run from Pietermartizburg to Durban.
Police would monitor the event from start to finish with officers in helicopters, on horseback and with dogs, said Mdunge.
Comrades Marathon spokesperson Craig Fry said there would also be 160 rescue buses on standby.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Jeff Wicks said paramedics were more than ready to provide medical assistance during the event.
The weather condition expected on Sunday were cloud with light wind.
A Weather Service spokesperson, Wiseman Dlamini, said: "Pietermaritzburg will be cold in the morning with fog.
"Weather conditions will warm up on the route to Durban and it will be partly cloudy in the afternoon," he said.
Hydrated
"More than 10 000 people finished the Comrade Marathon last year and we are hoping the number will increase," said Fry.
He warned first-time runners not to use up all their energy in the first part of the race and to make sure they remain hydrated throughout the race.
Runners should also listen to their bodies when in pain.
"Walk if needs be and get assistance. Most of all, people should enjoy the race," he said.
Metro police spokesperson Joyce Khuzwayo said motorists in Durban should not use any central streets between Monty Naicker road (formerly Pine Street) and Samora Machel street (formerly Aliwal street) during the marathon.
