Comrades broadcast to set all-time SuperSport record

The Comrades Marathon on Sunday will represent the biggest broadcast in SuperSport’s history.

Over 230 people will be involved in the broadcast, which will for the first time offer variety in how viewers consume the race with a combined 28 hours of live action.

Apart from the main 13-hour broadcast feed, which will take in much of the day’s drama and front-running action, there will be a women’s only feed on SuperSport.

With a pair of cameramen riding pillion with two motorcyclists, they will track the women’s race (5am to noon) which could be very special this year. In-form Gerda Steyn, who holds the up-run record of 5hr 58 min 53 sec, will attempt to smash the 5:54:43 mark set by the incomparable Frith van der Merwe in 1989, two years before she was born.

Van der Merwe herself has said that she expects the record to fall, chiefly on account of Steyn’s speed, which was evident when she broke the up-run record in 2019.

Apart from the two main feeds, there will be an OTT feed at the finish line, perfect for the second-screen experience and for those hoping to witness friends and family completing the 87,7km race epic. Viewers can set up their phones or laptops to stream the finish (OTT channel 246), which won’t have commentary but rather the ambient audio effects of runners finishing what is commonly known as the Ultimate Human Race.

Commentary on the 45-camera operation will be anchored by the experienced crew of Gerald De Kock, Cuan Walker, Mosibodi Whitehead and Bruce Fordyce, who lends a unique analytical voice to proceedings. Jenna Challenor, who was so heroic in last year’s race but had to pull out this year due to illness, will also be on the SuperSport microphone and will no doubt add depth and insight into Steyn’s record attempt, and much else.

Presenters will be OG Molefe, Thato Moeng, Toks van der Linde, Candice Naidoo and Mbali Singidi. Shaun Pollock, the esteemed former SA cricketer, joins this year’s team to hand out the roses to the top 10 men and women and engage with runners at the finish venue.

Meanwhile, there is a vibrant scene-setter available on Catch Up, “Down”, a revealing documentary that tells the remarkable history of the race, first run in 1921, with last year’s event weaved in to give a modern twist to a race layered in history and heroes.

BROADCAST DETAILS

• Main Feed Channel Variety 4 (209/229): full commentary; integrated men’s and women’s coverage (available from Premium to Access package). From 5am CAT to 6pm.
• Dedicated women’s feed on SS Variety 2 (207) with dedicated commentary team. From 5:15am CAT to 11:30am.
• Dedicated finish camera feed on OTT channel (246). From 10am CAT to 6pm.