The Comrades experience for all Nedbank Running Club members.
This year's Comrades Marathon promises to be bigger and better than ever and the same applies for the support and involvement of the Nedbank Running Club. You, the 770 (final number still been clarified by the CMA) odd members that complied with the qualification requirements, stand to benefit the most.
This year's Comrades draws a record amount of International athletes and you can be proud to be part of this historic and iconic major ultra marathon - `The Ultimate Human Race.'.
There are several benefits for a Nedbank Running Club participant this year:
1. The national club will coordinate a massive seconding point at the 54km mark just before Kearsney College and the descent of Botha's Hill. ALL Nedbank RC members are free to use the services of the tent. On Saturday 29 May 2010 you can drop your special bag with all your goodies that you want us to hand to you at the Nedbank Gazebo at the 54km mark. This seconding point will be manned by 7 people and they will make sure they do their best to get your stuff to you as you request of it at drop off.
Important: Please make sure your stuff is in a clear plastic bag and clearly marked with your race number and name visible. Johan Palm and staff will be at the Bonitas registration Expo at the Durban Exhibition Centre at the Nedbank stand. They will take deliveries on Saturday morning till closing at 17h00 to receive your special seconding goodies. His tel no 076 7909 791. Please be considerate, as this service is only available on Saturday, so please make arrangements to send with a club mate or friend to the expo should you not be able to meet those times.
The seconding spot is just as you finish climbing past the Rob Roy Hotel on the back side of Botha's Hill out of Drummond (the half way point) and close to the 54km mark / garage 100m before the Kearsney College gates.
The seconding point will be clearly marked with two Nedbank Gazebos and some Nedbank feather flags. See map below
2. We will have a dedicated seconding team looking after the potential gold medallists (men and women) running in the top 25 positions per gender at 7 other spots on route, each about 10km a part. If you believe you meet these criteria and haven't already made contact with the team or plans of your own, you are welcome to please contact our office at 012-541 0577 OR MYSELF ON 082 454 2222 to arrange for us to include you in this squad.
There will be a meeting at the Elangeni Hotel in Durdan at 18h00 on Saturday 29 May 2010 for all top athletes and the seconding team.
3. The best part of the Comrades Marathon is making it to finish and celebrating your efforts.
We will have our Nedbank hospitality tent ready for you and it will be stocked with food, cold drinks as well as nice beers and coolers to celebrate your achievement.
The tent will be on the right hand side (Northern Main Grandstand side-see map) of the finish straight, just as you go out at the finish area.
Please come and enjoy yourself while exchanging war stories with fellow Nedbank Running Club athletes. There will be a TV as well to watch your team mates running the Comrades and a lot of chairs to sit on. This is an ideal opportunity to meet your fellow Nedbank runners from all our clubs across the country. We will bring our top Nedbank athletes to the tent to meet you too.
See map below of the finish and where our Nedbank tent will be waiting for you.
%20Comrades%20tent%20site.jpg)
Comrades Race Day Tips
Here are a few tips courtesy of Don Oliver - 19 Medals
1. Make a clear plan to meet your running partners near the start.
2. Enter your seeding pen by 5.00a.m.
3. Wear a disposable long sleeve tee shirt for 1 degree C
4. Don't try to move up in your seeding. They will be too fast for you.
5. Walk early on, before 6.30a.m.Check the "kms to go" boards.
6. First check on Pacing Chart is "80kms to go" after Polly Shortts.
7. Get your drinking pattern right. Three sachets Powerade/hour plus one squeezie.
8. Control your speed. It's a long way and a long day.
9. Don't follow a novice or green number. Choose a yellow number. They will finish for sure.
10. High Five the pupils at Ethembeni and then walk up part of N'Changa.
11. Go carefully down into Drummond. Check your halfway time.
12. Best times for halfway; Bill Rowan, 4hrs 10m; Bronze 5hrs 00mins; Vic Clapham 5hrs 20mins.Too early you will blow in the second half, Too late you will be too tired to catch up. Wave and smile for the T.V.cameras.
13. Walk at least half way up Alverstone and halfway down Bothas Hill and Fields Hill.
14. Have a couple of rubs in the second half. Have something to eat.
15. Keep on moving towards Durbs.
16. Remember where the cut-offs are on the course. Keep well away from them.
17. Go easy on the pain killers. Only one for each half of the race.
18. Help any runner that needs your support. Make a friend at Comrades.
19. To bail lasts forever; pain eventually goes away.
20. If you hit a bad patch, stop for a drink and something to eat, maybe sit down, and catch the next runner's bus. You will soon be up and away again.
21. Draw strength from the crowd. They are right, you do look good!
22. You are the star of the day. Wave and acknowledge the deafening cheers round the stadium track.
23. Smarten up as you pass under the finish banner Smile for that most important photo with your Comrades medal round your neck.
Tell your spectators: Nedbank hosts must visit spectator spot
As proud sponsors of the Comrades Marathon, Nedbank will once again show their appreciation to runners and their supporters by staging the popular Nedbank Supporters Spot and Nedbank Green Mile.
Located along the beautiful leafy Old Main Road section of the race route in Kloof, and just 26km from the finish, the stunning setting offers easy access off the Eastbound M13 alternative highway, also allowing followers to move onwards towards Kingsmead after their runners have come through.
%20map.png)
Determined to build on their past successes, Nedbank have upped their investment this year. Visitors to the Nedbank Spectator Spot can expect a memorable family day out with three stages with DJ's spread along the Green Mile, live entertainment, race commentary, supporters' grandstand seating next to the Kloof hall or beautiful lawns to picnic on. The Nedbank Spectator Spot is arguably the best location from which to watch all the running action on the Comrades route. Stilt walkers, face painters, balloon artists, a full kids play area including the revolutionary new sand art activity corner and the traditional jumping castles will be available for the young at heart. Also on offer are liquid and food refreshments on sale via local charities, dancing girls including some of the Sharkettes and hundreds of lucky prize giveaways throughout the day.
Runners passing through the Nedbank Green Mile will not miss out either. Besides the electric vibe, all runners can look forward to the only Green Energade on offer on race day, the famous Nedbank high5 tree hangers. Also, don't forget to wear your Nedbank Race Cap as ten lucky runners stand to win cash prizes worth a total of R17 000-00 should they beat the gun.
A reminder, easy access to the Nedbank Supporters Spot can be gained from the M13 Hillcrest - Pinetown alternative highway travelling east towards Durban at the Pioneer off ramp. Look out for the map in your souvenir race brochure. All welcome, so come be part of the Action!
Finally, we wish you all an awesome run.
Nick Bester - National Manager of the Nedbank Running Clubs
