This means that runners who were unable to enter the 2017 Comrades Marathon during the official entry period (1 September – 30 November 2016) now have an opportunity to still be part of the world’s most famous ultra-marathon on Sunday, 4 June 2017 through the Substitution process.

 

The process runs for an extra week this year, opening on Tuesday, 14 March 2017 and closing on Friday, 14 April 2017. The Substitution Process allows for a runner who has not entered to substitute an entrant who has withdrawn, or intends to withdraw from the 2017 Comrades Marathon.

 

Substitutions can only take effect on a like for like basis, meaning SA runners can only substitute for SA entrants, Rest of Africa (ROA) for other ROA runners and International runners for International entrants.

 

Prospective substitutes are encouraged to do their applications online. Alternatively, they may send their completed applications via email to sub@comrades.com or hand deliver them to Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg. Please do not post forms.

 

The completed application forms as specified in the Substitution Rule must reach the CMA office by 14 April 2017. There will be no extension of this deadline and no postal applications will be accepted. The cost of the Substitution application is R150,00.

 

Athletes intending to submit Substitution application forms are advised to visit the official Comrades Marathon website at www.comrades.com for the downloadable forms and the comprehensive list of rules and regulations which govern the Substitution process.

 

Race Director Rowyn James says, ‘The Substitution Rule has been part of the Comrades Marathon entry rules for the past five years. It has been very well received by our runners and forms a tangible part of our Runners First initiative. With the 92nd running of the Comrades Marathon this year, we look forward to seeing many more athletes taking to the start line on Sunday, 4 June 2017.’