The dates for the 2009 and 2010 Comrades Marathons were announced by the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) at a special media briefing in Johannesburg today. The 2009 ‘down’ run will take place on Sunday, 24 May and the 2010 ‘up’ run will be held on Sunday, 30 May.
Comrades Marathon Association Chairman, Dave Dixon explained that it would have been unfeasible to stage the Comrades Marathon during the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup. “The first World Cup match is on 11th June 2010, so we simply cannot hold the Comrades during June, as we normally do - It will be impossible to obtain essential resources. The SAPS and traffic authorities will be fully occupied, attending to thousands of visitors while most of the country’s broadcast facilities will be tied up in the coverage of football matches”.
President of Athletics South Africa, Leonard Chuene further explained the reason for the shift in dates. ‘In 2010, we have the FIFA World Cup from 11 June until 11 July, and in 2009, the FIFA Confederations Cup is currently scheduled for 14-28 June. The Comrades Marathon Association thus applied for date changes for both these years through KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, and in consultation with the relevant local and provincial governments, Athletics South Africa has approved the new dates.’
“The CMA is hugely indebted to KZNA and ASA for their support throughout this process. In 2007 the leadership of the two federations negotiated with other key stakeholders when the race was threatened – a potential crisis was averted thanks to their intervention. Since January this year ASA and KZNA have facilitated the consultations with the two host cities, Pietermaritzburg and Durban in order to secure the new dates,’ said Dixon.
The CMA would also like to congratulate the President of ASA, Leonard Chuene, with his re-election as President of the national federation and pledge our support for the President and his executive on their initiatives to develop athletics in South Africa.
The CMA believes that the new Comrades dates will benefit the sport in that the national attention will remain focused on the Comrades Marathon ahead of the Confederations Cup in 2009 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
“We therefore felt it appropriate to move the race forward in anticipation of 2010”, explained Dixon.
The CMA must thank Athletics South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Athletics and the municipalities of Msunduzi and eThekwini for their assistance in making this change possible.
(source Comrades Marathon Association)
Comrades Marathon Association Chairman, Dave Dixon explained that it would have been unfeasible to stage the Comrades Marathon during the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup. “The first World Cup match is on 11th June 2010, so we simply cannot hold the Comrades during June, as we normally do - It will be impossible to obtain essential resources. The SAPS and traffic authorities will be fully occupied, attending to thousands of visitors while most of the country’s broadcast facilities will be tied up in the coverage of football matches”.
President of Athletics South Africa, Leonard Chuene further explained the reason for the shift in dates. ‘In 2010, we have the FIFA World Cup from 11 June until 11 July, and in 2009, the FIFA Confederations Cup is currently scheduled for 14-28 June. The Comrades Marathon Association thus applied for date changes for both these years through KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, and in consultation with the relevant local and provincial governments, Athletics South Africa has approved the new dates.’
“The CMA is hugely indebted to KZNA and ASA for their support throughout this process. In 2007 the leadership of the two federations negotiated with other key stakeholders when the race was threatened – a potential crisis was averted thanks to their intervention. Since January this year ASA and KZNA have facilitated the consultations with the two host cities, Pietermaritzburg and Durban in order to secure the new dates,’ said Dixon.
The CMA would also like to congratulate the President of ASA, Leonard Chuene, with his re-election as President of the national federation and pledge our support for the President and his executive on their initiatives to develop athletics in South Africa.
The CMA believes that the new Comrades dates will benefit the sport in that the national attention will remain focused on the Comrades Marathon ahead of the Confederations Cup in 2009 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
“We therefore felt it appropriate to move the race forward in anticipation of 2010”, explained Dixon.
The CMA must thank Athletics South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Athletics and the municipalities of Msunduzi and eThekwini for their assistance in making this change possible.
(source Comrades Marathon Association)