COMRADES MARATHON MEDIA RELEASE 2010/ 19

COMRADES MARATHON’S DISADVANTAGED RUNNERS PROGRAMME 2010

The Comrades Marathon is celebrated as “the Ultimate Human Race” and this year the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) will again be demonstrating its spirit of humanity by providing material support to indigent runners wishing to participate in the 2010 Comrades Marathon. 

Through its Disadvantaged Runners Programme, the CMA will be providing 1000 runners with a roof over their heads, a comfortable mattress to sleep on, and blankets to keep them warm. Ablution facilities, a substantial meal on the evenings prior to and after the 2010 Comrades Marathon, will be provided.  In addition, breakfasts on race day and the morning thereafter, will also be provided.

“The Comrades Marathon is regarded as an exceptional challenge, but we recognise that for many of our runners, the greatest struggle is overcoming poverty and simply; to get to the starting line.  This year many runners are experiencing particularly tough times and are unable to afford paying for accommodation and transport to Durban or Pietermaritzburg. The CMA appreciates their courage and commitment and feels that the least it can do is to ensure that these runners have a roof over their heads, are well-rested and have had decent sustenance when they get to the start,” said CMA Marketing Coordinator, Thami Vilakazi

“A critical component of CMA’s vision is to retain our position as South Africa’s most inclusive sporting event and this entails catering for runners across the socio-economic spectrum and affording them an opportunity to experience the camaraderie of being part of the Ultimate Human Race,” commented Vilakazi

This year accommodation for disadvantaged runners will be made available at the YMCA in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday 29 May and Sunday 30 May 2010.  Dinners will be provided on both Saturday and Sunday evenings, as well as breakfasts on Sunday and Monday mornings.  Transportation will be provided from the Bonitas Comrades Expo in Durban on Saturday 29 May to the YMCA in Pietermaritzburg from 18h00 and from The Finish in Durban on 30 May back to the YMCA in Pietermaritzburg after the Race from 18h30.

There is no charge to the runners for the facility.  However for control and planning purposes disadvantaged runners wishing to utilise the facility must apply to the Comrades Marathon Association by Friday 30 April 2010. The CMA will only be able to accommodate 1 000 runners.  Only runners who have applied will be accommodated and applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis.

Applications should be addressed to Thami Vilakazi, CMA Marketing Co-ordinator. PO Box 100621, Scottsville 3209 or thami@comrades.com or fax 033 897 8660

The CMA has been providing similar support to disadvantaged runners for the past 10 years.

A further benefit from the programme is that following each year’s race, the mattresses and blankets utlilized are donated to worthy charities in the Pietermaritzburg and Durban areas.

Statement Released 15 April 2010

Issued by Comrades Marathon Media & Communication

For further information contact Comrades Marathon on 033 8978650 or Craig Fry on 084 816 4178