With nearly 25,000 runners set to line up at the start in Pietermaritzburg for the Comrades Marathon, there are a number of key stats ahead of this year’s down run to Durban on Sunday.
The 89km race starts at 5.30am, with the cut-off time coming 12 hours later at 5.30pm.
One of the biggest changes this year will be a new two-group start. This first group of the fastest qualifying runners in the field, with the elites at the front, will go off first. This first group will have around 12,500 runners taking off at the gun.
Each group will be further divided into batches, with around 1,500 runners in each batch.
The second main group will feature around 10,000 athletes.
Key Refreshment Details for the Ultramarathon: Hydration, Nutrition, and Volunteer Support
As for the food and drinks available at refreshment stations throughout the route, here are the key numbers.
Hydration Supplies
• Thirsti Water Sachets: 2.2 million
• Thirsti Sports Drink Sachets: 600,000
• Coca-Cola: 30,350 litres
• Fanta / Crème Soda: 10,650 litres
• Coca-Cola Paper Cups (175ml): 450,000
• Asemzansi Amahewu: 45,000 servings
• Bavaria 0.0% Beer (150ml cans): 22,000
Food & Energy Provisions
• Cooked Baby Potatoes: 2 tons
• Bananas: 600 boxes
• Oranges: 4.5 tons
• Energy Biscuits: 500 kg
• Salticrax (Crackers): 500 kg
At the refreshment stations there will be around 5,000 volunteers to assist runners as they make their way through the gruelling ultramarathon.
Over 80 different nations will take part in this year’s edition.
The men’s and women’s champions will each pocket R874,000 with R550,000 also on offer for breaking the down run record.
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
