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Everything you need to know - Comrades 2023

athletics30 May 2023 12:05| © SuperSport
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The 96th Comrades Marathon takes place on Sunday 11 June and like 2022, the 2023 edition will start in Pietermaritzburg and conclude in Durban.

The down-run makes a second consecutive appearance on the schedule but unlike last year, the finish line has a new finish line, at the Kingsmeade Stadium.

Just like last year every second of the race will be broadcast on SuperSport with three channels for fans to enjoy.


COMRADES MARATHON BROADCAST DETAILS

Sunday, 11 June 2023

Main Feed
5am-6pm | GOtv Select 2, Maximo 360, Variety 4
5am-12pm | SuperSport Liyu

Women’s Race
5am-12pm | Variety 2

Finish Line
12pm-6pm | OTT2

 * Stream it LIVE on DStv *

 


THE ROAD AHEAD

Runners from 84 nations around the world will descend on Pietermaritzburg to participate in the 96th edition of the world-famous Comrades Marathon, a ‘Down Run’. Besides South Africa, the UK, Zimbabwe, and India are the most represented nations with over 200 runners from each country.

The Pietermaritzburg City Hall will host the start of the race which will conclude 12 hours later at Durban’s Kingsmead Stadium.

START PROFILE

* click to enlarge*

ROUTE

* click to enlarge*

FINISH PROFILE

 * click to enlarge*


END OF THE LINE

The official race distance of this year’s Comrades Marathon Down Run is 87.701km which means that Comrades runners will effectively run 2.2km shorter than they did in the 2022 Down Run, which measured 89.885km.

Unfortunately, though, not everyone will reach the Kingsmead Stadium as many runners will fail to reach each of the six cut-off points in time to continue their pursuit of the finish line.

CUT - OFF RUNNING TIME TIME OF DAY
Cato Ridge 04:30:00 (10h00)
Drummond 06:10:00 (11h40)
Winston Park 08:10:00 (13h40)
Pinetown 09:20:00 (14h50)
Sherwood 11:00:00 (16h30)

 


THE CONTENDERS

Last year's winners Tete Dijana and Alexandra Morozova will out to defend their titles in 2023 but face stiff competition from strong fields.

Gerda Steyn will be the biggest threat to Morozova with the South African chasing a race Comrades-Two Oceans double after claiming the Cape Town title earlier this year. Former champ Ann Ashworth along with the 2022 podium finishers Dominka Stelmach and Adele Broodryk will too have their eyes set on the prize which should make for an intriguing women's race which will have a dedicated broadcast channel.

On the men's side, Dijana will once again have to fend off the challenge of Dan Matshailwe and Edward Mothibi, who finished on the podium in 2022. Elsewhere three-time champion Bongmusa Mthembu will be out to regain his moniker as 'The Greatest Ultramarathoner' by claiming his fourth title at the Kingsmead Stadium.

There is more than just the titles on the line with medals and prizemoney up for grabs.

MEDALS
Gold First 10 Men and Women
Wally Hayward (Men)
Isavel-Roche Kelly (Women)
Position 11 to sub 6hrs 00min
Position 11 to sub 7hrs 30min
Silver (Men Only) 6hrs 00min to sub 7hrs 30min
Bill Rowan 7hrs 30min to sub 9hrs 00min
Robert Mtshali 9hrs 00min to sub 10hrs 00min
Bronze 10hrs 00min to sub 11hrs 00min
Vic Clapham 11hrs 00min to sub 12hrs 00min

 

PRIZE MONEY
POSITION MEN WOMEN
Position 1 R 500 000,00 R 500 000,00
Position 2 R 250 000,00 R 250 000,00
Position 3 R 180 000,00 R 180 000,00
Position 4 R 90 000,00 R 90 000,00
Position 5 R 70 000,00 R 70 000,00
Position 6 R 40 000,00 R 40 000,00
Position 7 R 35 000,00 R 35 000,00
Position 8 R 30 000,00 R 30 000,00
Position 9 R 25 000,00 R 25 000,00
Position 10 R 20 000,00 R 20 000,00

 


BRUCE FORDYCE INSIGHTS...

- Talent trumps shoes and supplements

- You’ve got to be pretty dumb to try and cheat

- High altitude essential for Comrades success

- Why Caster Semenya wouldn’t cut it at Comrades

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