2 October 2013
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has announced that early bird entries for the 2014 Comrades Marathon have closed with 8 556 entries so far received since the entry process opened on 1 September.
This means that less than 10 000 entries are available before the overall entry process is closed.
Prospective entrants have until 30 November or until the cap of 18 000 entries has been reached to get their entries in. Thereafter, no entries will be accepted.
Entry costs
CMA Race Director Johan Van Staden said in a statement on Tuesday: “Runners had the opportunity to take advantage of the ‘early bird’ entry fee of R320 for the entire month of September. From now until the close of the entry process, the entry fee will be R350 for South African runners.”
Runners from the rest of Africa will be charged an entry fee of R550 and the cost to International athletes is R1 800.
How to enter
There are a number of ways to enter the world’s greatest ultra-marathon:
• Online at the Comrades Marathon website: www.comrades.com
• Through the post by posting a completed entry form with proof of payment to the CMA Office in Pietermaritzburg: P.O. Box 100621, Scottsville, 3209
• At Comrades Marathon House: by handing in the completed entry form together with payment at the CMA office in Pietermaritzburg.
Runners may enter the race before running a qualifying race (which must be a minimum distance of 42.2km).
Qualifying details must be submitted to the CMA by 6 May 2014.
2014 date
Next year’s race, the 89th edition of the Comrades Marathon, takes place on Sunday, 1 June 2014.
Being a “down-run”, the traditional gunfire goes off outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 05:30 and again 12 hours later at the Sahara-Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban to signal the end of the 89km road-running challenge.
Defending champions
South Africa’s Claude Moshiywa will be defending the men’s title after claiming his first victory earlier this year. Ludwick Mamabolo, also of South Africa, won the last “down run”.
Elena Nurgalieva of Russia will be defending the women’s title and was also the last winner of the “down run”.
If she wins in 2014, Nurgalieva, the women’s record holder with eight Comrades Marathon wins will equal Bruce Fordyce’s men’s record of nine victories.
SAinfo reporter
