Comrades deadline tomorrow

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has decided to close the entry process tomorrow, effectively a day prior to the originally planned closure, due to the cap of 18 000 entries being reached ahead of schedule.

The cap was implemented in the recent past for logistical and organizational purposes - with the race being oversubscribed since 2009.

However, the CMA will allow Comrades Marathon enthusiasts who have not yet entered the iconic race to make their entry before close of business tomorrow (29 November 2013 at 16h30) at which time online entries and in-house entries at the Comrades Marathon offices will close.

CMA General Manager, Chris Bruwer said: "We will still accept postal entries but they must be postmarked by the Post Office with tomorrow’s date, 29 November 2013. Entries made after this date will be rejected."

Runners who are going to submit their entry via post are reminded to submit their entry form and proof of payment, using one of the following options: cheque, postal order or direct deposit.

All cheques, postal orders and direct deposits must be made payable to the Comrades Marathon Association. Please post your entry to Comrades Marathon Association, PO Box 100621, Scottsville, 3209. No late entries will be accepted.

South Africa’s most celebrated running event has experienced a heightened interest since its recognition by the Guinness World Records for being the planet’s biggest ultra-marathon in 2010, as well as being the winner of the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards for South Africa’s Best Sport Participation Event.

The iconic road running race also enjoys its recognition as Africa’s oldest marathon and ultra-marathon at the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

The 2014 Comrades Marathon will be run for the 89th time since the race was first staged in 1921.

The start gun will be fired in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 1 June 2014 and the race will end 12 hours later in Durban.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

- Delaine Cools

Twitter - @ECRSportswave @SportswaveAndre