INLSA
Brazilian runner Francisco Porto may not be a contender for the top prize, but anyone can dream. Picture: GCINA NDWALANE
Durban – The Comrades Marathon will be bigger, safer, busier and 97m shorter this year with the race organisers promising Sunday will go off without a hitch.
“Comrades is on us again and we are well prepared,” said race director Johan van Staden at Thursday’s penultimate pre-race briefing.
“We are lifting the bar and supplying the runners with everything they will need from start to finish.”
The question on most journalists’ lips was whether the increase in safety measures was a direct result of the Boston Marathon bombing earlier in the year… a question which was not answered with a yes or no.
“We have stepped up our security in all aspects,” said Van Staden.
He said this was, in part, a result of “a lot of questions” they had received from the media after the tragic event in the US in April.
This year’s 88th race would see 352 police and road traffic officials along the course, four bomb sweeping vehicles, and police sniffer dogs at the start and finishing areas.
“From the intelligence the SAPS have received, there is absolutely no threat to the race,” said Van Staden.
With the safety of the race seemingly guaranteed, the attention shifted to the drug testing facilities and whether or not a repeat of the Ludwick Mamabolo saga was a possibility.
“This year all (testing chaperone) volunteers will be fully accredited by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport,” said Comrades general manager Gary Boshoff.
The 24 drug testing chaperones, some of whom were identified and suggested by the marathon association, had undergone extensive training, and the institute had guaranteed that all protocol would be observed to ensure no irregularities could crop up during testing this year.
Chief medic Jeremy Boulter was also on hand to outline the health services that would be available to tired and ailing runners.
“We have 90 doctors volunteering their medical services and more than 300 physiotherapists working at nine medical stations along the route,” said Boulter.
Nurses, emergency medical staff and trauma staff from Netcare 911 would provide their assistance on race day, too.
The 2013 course, 86.96km, was 97m shorter than the usual up run, said Van Staden, and was a “small change” which would allow those who just failed to finish last year a chance to finish the race.
The back markers will have to contend with sunny and warm conditions on Sunday, with Durban and Pietermaritzburg forecasting 30ºC and 28ºC with no cloud cover respectively.
“It is going to be hot. Take in a little bit more fluid than usual, but not in excess,” said Boulter.
“Professor (Tim) Noakes says drink to thirst, which is probably the best advice. A rough figure would be 500ml per hour, depending on the individual.”
Boulter said 30km/h winds were expected along the route, which would dry runners off and contribute to possible dehydration.
There are 19 722 runners who have entered this year’s race, up from 19 524 last
year. – The Mercury
ROAD CLOSURES
Samora Machel Street (Aliwal Street) between Monty Naicker (Pine) Street and Anton Lembede (Smith) Street midnight – 7am
45th Cutting 4am – 7.30am
Cowie’s Hill 4.30am – 8.30am
Field’s Hill 4.45am – 9.15am
Kloof 5am – 10am
Hillcrest 5.30am – 11am
Botha’s Hill 5.40am – 11.30am
Drummond 6am – 12.30pm
Cato Ridge 7am – 2pm
Camperdown 7.30am – 2.30pm
Umlaas Road 8am – 3.55pm
Lion Park 9am – 4pm
Ashburton 9am – 5pm
Polly Shortts 9am – 6pm
Pietermaritzburg: CB Downes, Washington, Oribi and Jesmond roads 9am – 6.30pm
