Press Release

Comrades Marathon & IPL – 27 March 2009

COMRADES WILL GO AHEAD ON 24 May 2009

Pietermaritzburg to Durban

Official Statement from the Comrades Marathon Association

Following on successful negotiations and announcements made earlier this week by the IPL (Indian Premier League) and CSA (Cricket South Africa) regarding the staging of the 2009 IPL Tournament in South Africa, it has emerged that both the 2009 Comrades Marathon and IPL Tournament matches are scheduled to be staged at the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, during the same period in May 2009.

Regardless of the fact that the two events are taking place during the same time period, the CMA has an agreement in place with KZNCU, for an extensive period prior to and including the 24 May 2009 for the running of the Comrades Marathon. Setting up the finish of the Comrades Marathon takes a minimum of 14 days, as various infrastructure, IT, and Medical facililities are required to be erected and installed to cater for a race of this magnitude.

The CMA has had initial discussions with KZNCU and has sought legal advice from the CMA Attorneys and Advocates alike. All options are currently under consideration. The CMA Board Members will be meeting today.

CMA Chairman Mr. Dave Dixon has specifically refuted a reckless and negligent statement attributed to him in a major Daily Newspaper report, that the Race might have to be scrapped. He has categorically denied certain statements attributed to him and Mr Dixon is considering his legal options arising from the misrepresentation.

2009 will mark the 84th running of the Comrades Marathon, renowned as the world’s greatest ultramarathon and one of South Africa’s most inclusive sporting events, with the only years that the race was not run since its inception in 1921, being the period 1941 – 1945 during World War II.  

The Comrades Marathon alternates direction annually between the KwaZulu-Natal cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg.  On the last 16 occasions on which “Down Runs” from Pietermaritzburg to Durban have been staged, the Comrades Marathon has finished at Kingsmead Stadium.

During this time, the CMA and KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union (KZCU) have enjoyed an outstanding relationship, a period in excess of 35 years of mutually-beneficial cooperation.  Discussions are currently being held between CMA and KZNCU to find a solution to accommodate both events.

The CMA acknowledges the importance of the IPL for South Africa and the benefits of hosting a tournament of this nature for CSA. The IPL Tournament presents a fantastic opportunity for South Africa to showcase its professionalism, readiness and ability to host major sporting events of this nature at short notice.

The Comrades Marathon is also a world class event in its own right, attracting the best ultramarathon athletes not only locally but world-wide as well. With both major events happening in the same month, it is testament that Durban as a host city is truly a world class venue as a whole.

The Comrades Marathon is also an event which is cherished as a national institution for reasons which transcend sport.  It has prospered despite the ravages of time and overcome major challenges including war, depression, apartheid, isolation, advent of professionalism, commercialization, transformation and globalization.  Few events on the South African calendar (sporting or otherwise) engender support across such a wide spectrum of society, transcending cultural, racial, gender, socio-economic and age barriers.

The CMA has taken the initiative to discuss an amicable solution with KZNCU as a matter of urgency. The CMA has in the past and of late always sought a solution that is beneficial to all parties.  To this end dates for the 2009 and 2010 Comrades Marathons were brought forward in order to avoid clashing with the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup – the 2010 Comrades Marathon will be the 85th running of the event.

The CMA does however have responsibilities to, first and foremost, its Runners, as well as sponsors, partners, supporters and literally thousands of volunteers.   The CMA would like to assure runners, sponsors, partners, supporters and volunteers that there will definitely be no date change and that the race will definitely be run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.   

The CMA will make an official announcement early next week as to the outcome of discussions with KZNCU.

Important dates to remember:

31 March 2009 – Entries Close

28 April 2009 – Qualifying results submission closes

24 May 2009 – Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban

Ends.