Its Comrades weekend! When the beautiful undulating valleys and peaks of 1000 Hills will be on show world wide as 25 000 participants run through our magnificent countryside, when all roads lead to the start of The Ultimate Human Race outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.
Locals will know that the Comrades Marathon is the world’s oldest, largest and probably best known ultra-marathon of approximately 90 kilometers which is run annually between Durban and Pietermaritzburg – the direction alternating annually.
The spirit of the Comrades Marathon is said to be embodied by attributes of camaraderie, selflessness, dedication, perseverance, and ubuntu.
An in-person edition of the race was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid. This is the first in-person race since 2019.
Roadworks.
Due to ongoing roadworks along the N3 highway N3, especially for the first 30km of the race from Pmb to Cato Ridge., the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has advised runners to be mindful of traffic delays between Durban and Pietermaritzburg; and to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that they are on the start line in time for the 5:30am race start.
Another option for runners and spectators is to book into one of the many accommodation options around 1000 Hills area to give you a head start on Comrades morning.
Many roads will be closed from around midnight on Saturday 27 until 21h30 on Sunday, 28 August 2022.
For the detailed outline of road closures, visit:
https://www.comrades.com/blog/posts/comrades2022-road-closures-7b5d6b66-5659-4ea9-b3c2-3a9f80e3c208
Spectators.
Comrades supporters are advised to please take note that the usual spectator spots and associated parking areas at Lynnfield Park, Umlaas Road and Camperdown will be out of bounds on race day due to the roadworks. Cato Ridge will be the first available spot where supporters can gather and see the runners.
Shuttle buses.
In an effort to minimise the number of vehicles heading to the start on race morning from Durban and to provide safe and affordable transport to all athletes staying in Durban, the CMA has partnered with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) to provide runner shuttle buses on the day. Runners are urged to make use of the shuttle service and tickets are now available online at Ticketpro and a host of retail outlets.
Bus tickets back to Pietermaritzburg from the finish after the race are also available for purchase.
Buses will depart from the Durban Exhibition Centre in Durban from 2:30am onwards. Runners can opt for a one-way ticket at R130 or a return ticket at R250.
To find out more about the Shuttle Services: https://www.comrades.com/blog/posts/17
App.
Runners and spectators are urged to download the NEW official Comrades Marathon App. The App is fun and informative and contains the latest updates on the world’s greatest ultramarathon.
Some of the highlights include:
• Participant times, paces, estimates, and places in real-time;
• Interactive Course Map & Live Map Tracking;
• Easy tracking of multiple participants at the same time;
• Push Notifications as progress is made on course;
• Event Info and Messaging;
• Live Leaderboards;
• Social Sharing & Notifications
Athletes who have entered for the 2022 Comrades Marathon can now claim their individual runner profiles via the app, spectators can also select their favourite athletes to follow and track.
The app is available via the Google Play and Apple App Store.
https://www.comrades.com/blog/posts/download-the-new-comrades-marathon-app
The team from 1000 Hills Tourism wishes all Comrades Runners a fabulous run and God speed!