By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
With less than 30 days to go, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has revised the cut-off times to be applied during this year’s race.
This move signals increased efforts by the CMA to be both runner-focused and responsive to fresh ideas and input related to the growth and improvement of this iconic national event.
CMA Race & Operations Manager, Ann Ashworth has confirmed the removal of the first cut-off point at St. Johns Avenue, Pinetown.
This amendment has been made to account for the time taken for athletes to cross the start line, the ongoing roadworks at Sherwood and public recommendations made regarding the correct pacing to be applied by athletes in the first half of the race.
Being an Up Run, the first 38km of which involves solid climbing, runners will be well advised to start the race more slowly, conserving their strength for the more undulating second half.
For this reason, changes have been made to the cut-off times to be applied at Winston Park and Drummond.
The following cut-offs will be applied at the 97th running of the Comrades Marathon on 9 June 2024:
Winston Park (Caltex Garage) – 29.6km in, clock time 4:45:00
Drummond (Halfway) – 42.6km in, clock time 6:20:00
Cato Ridge (N3 Subway) – 56.6km in, clock time 8:10:00
Umlaas Road – 67.5km in, clock time 9:40:00
Mkondeni (Top of Polly Shortts) – 79.1km in, clock time 11:10:00
Finish line – 85.91km in, clock time 12:00:00
The Comrades Marathon will be the 49th Up Run on Sunday, 9 June 2024, starting at the Durban City Hall at 05h30 and ending 12 hours later at the HollywoodBets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg, covering a distance of 85.91km.