The Nedbank Running Club wants to pass our condolences on to Irvette Van Blerk and her mother Adelene with the sudden death of their father and husband.

Regards

Nick Bester-National Manager of the Nedbank Running Clubs.

 No late entries will be accepted and no correspondence will be entered into. Runners that have posted their entry form by close of business today, Tuesday 27 October2009 which has been postmarked by the Post Office will still be accepted. The CMA will release the official entry figure once these entries have been received and captured.

Gary Boshoff, CEO, Comrades Marathon Association, "I am ecstatic at the positive response from the loyal Comrades runners, in reaching the 15,000 threshold with 4 days to spare before 31 October. This is indicative of the strength of the Comrades brand and the special place the Comrades Marathon occupies in the local as well as global sport arena.

"We are however mindful of the thousands of disappointed runners that have missed the cut off, however they can take heart from the fact that the Comrades Marathon is here to stay and that there will be many more opportunities to run The Ultimate Human Race" said Boshoff.

A reminder to all novices that are wishing to run the 2010 Comrades Marathon, that entries open on the 1st November at 09h00 and will close on 30 November 2009, or when 5,000 entries have been received by the CMA office. Enter online www.comrades.com or at any Mr Price retail store countrywide. We urge all potential runners to enter early to avoid disappointment.

Ends.

___________________
Statement Released 27 October 2009
Issued by Comrades Marathon Media & Communications, Craig Fry
For further information contact Comrades Marathon on 033 8978650

ENTRIES FOR 2010 COMRADES MARATHON
Entries will be cut off at 20,000 runners, and no extensions will be entered into. We urge all runners and potential runners that wish to run in 2010 to take careful note of the entry process and the cut-off dates. We therefore urge you to enter early to avoid disappointment. Entries will be done in 2 phases.

PHASE 1: ENTRIES OPEN - 1 SEPTEMBER TO 31 OCTOBER 2009
On the 1st of September 2009 entries will open to all previous Comrades Runners ONLY. Phase 1 will be capped at 15,000 entrants and will close on 31st of October 2009 at 18h00, or whichever comes first (eg. if we receive 15,000 entries by the 10th of October 2009 then no further entries will be accepted for previous Comrades runners for 2010).To qualify as a "previous runner" you must have started in a previous Comrades Marathon, even if you didn't actually finish within the 12 hour time limit.

PHASE 2: CALLING ALL NOVICES - 1 NOVEMBER TO 30 NOVEMBER 2009
On the 1st of November 2009 entries will open at 09h00 to all Novices ONLY and will be capped at 5,000. Entries will close on 30 November 2009 at 18h00, or whichever comes first (eg. if we received 5,000 novice entries by 15th November 2009 then no further entries will be accepted).

No entries will be accepted after the cut off dates! No entries will be taken in 2010!

Qualifying period for 2010 will be as follows: 24 May 2009 to 26 April 2010.
Runners who finished the 2009 Comrades Marathon can use their finishing time as a qualifier for 2010. As in 2009, runners will be able to enter before they qualify. This means while all entries will have to meet the entry criteria above, runners will still be allowed to qualify in official qualifying races up until the month of April 2010, with the 26th April 2010 as the final cut-off date. Upon qualification, runners simply need to submit the time and details of the qualifying race through to the CMA office. Upon receiving the qualifying information the runner's entry will be confirmed.

Yours in running

Comrades Marathon Association

Tel: +27(0)33 897 8650
Fax: +27(0)33 897 8660
info@comrades.com
www.comrades.com

Athletics South Africa's flagship race has moved back to the Nasrec complex, just across the N1 from Soweto.
Known as "The People's Race" the Nedbank Soweto Marathon allows participants to experience all the warmth and history that embodies both the residents and the city of Soweto.

"Although the previous sport complex was in the heart of Soweto the logistics didn't work to the best advantage of the event, it was just too difficult getting the equipment out onto the route plus getting the thousands of athletes in to the start lines and then out again to run.  The race has also grown in magnificent number this year hence the bigger venue," explained Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane, Events Manager for ASA.

The twenty kilometre walk has been dropped in favour of the 10 kilometre distance which is believed to be a fairer representation of South African walking. However the popular marathon has been retained with a whopping R 100, 000 first prize for both the men and women. The prize money goes ten deep in the seniors race with the tenth runner taking home R  2, 000, once again for both categories.

"Over the past four years the Nedbank Soweto Marathon series of races has seen participant numbers swell by nearly 43% and we are looking forward to another record turn-out this year. Nedbank, together with our organising partners Athletics South Africa, remains committed to delivering yet another memorable instalment of this historic race," said Patrick Baransky, Sponsorship Portfolio Manager for Nedbank.

The usual ten kilometre run is still there with three separate sections: the wheel chair race kicks off proceedings at 6h20, followed by the run at 6h30 which traditionally draws the country best short distance athletes and then finally the walk which gets away at 6h40.

There is equal first prize of R 5,000 for all three categories, with the wheel chair race having the normal T53 and T54 classes in category 1 plus T33, T34, T51 and T52 in category 2.

Last year the popular 5 kilometre fun run drew the second highest field of the day and the organisers are catering for a 30% increase of those numbers.

Entries can be obtained from most sports stores or online at Nedbanksponsorships.co.za or by contacting ASA on (011) 880 5800. The Marathon gets underway on Sunday, 1 November 2009 at 6h00

Nedbank Running Club tent will be at the race
Nedbank Athletes can hand tog bags in before the race at the tent
Afterwards Nedbank Athletes can join us at the Nedbank Running Club tent for refreshments
See you all there

If there is one marathon every South African runner (and Citizen) needs to do it is this one. Known as the People's Marathon, it could equally be called the Friendliest Marathon based on the ever-present crowd support and encouragement. The streets are lined by the community, cheering, chanting and encouraging runners.
 
Date: 01 November 2009
Time: 06h00
Organisers: Athletics South Africa/Central Gauteng
Distance: 42.2; 10; 5; 

Start: MTN Expo Centre
NASREC
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Central Gauteng Athletics
(W) 011-8732726
(H) 011-8702266
(F) 011-8732786
(Email) cgauteng@intekom.co.za

Contact 2: Athletics South Africa
(W) 011-8805800
(F) 011-7886872
(C) 082-9909470
(Email)asa@athleticssa.co.za
 
 
Entry Details:
You can also enter online at www.nedbanksponsorships.co.za, or at leading local sports stores. Postal entries for the marathon event will be accepted up to two weeks before the event. Hand-delivered entries are accepted at the offices of ASA or the Central Gauteng offices up to one week before the race. No entries are taken on the day of the race. Grand Masters enjoy free entry. All events, except the five-kilometre dash, require pre-entry. Registration takes place at the various venues during the prior week.
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular

As an appetiser, this is what you will experience on the route: ".....to tour the most famous section of the township - Vilikazi Street in Orlando West. This is the only street in the world to be home for two Nobel Peace Laureates - Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As runners wind and climb the hill they also pass Uncle Tom's Community Hall and see the Hector Pietersen Museum and memorial that commemorates the 1976 student uprising. Coming back through to Vilikazi street a simple brick wall marks the spot where Hector Pietersen was shot, which contrasts strongly with the rapturous welcome runners can expect just 300m up the hill at Nambitha pub and restaurant where patrons will enjoy breakfast as runners commence their drop down past Winnie's house."......  With acknowledgements and thanks to Norrie Williamson.