Times Of Swaziland: COMRADES MARATHON VIRTUAL RACE CONTINUES

COMRADES MARATHON VIRTUAL RACE CONTINUES
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Pholsile Hlophe on 17/02/2021 08:09:00


MBABANE – All is not lost.
Runners who were looking forward to breaking records in the 21st century
Comrades marathon that was cancelled for a second time in a row due to COVID-19
can still fulfill their goals by joining the virtual race. The 95th running of
the iconic 90 mile race between the South African cities of Pietermaritzburg and
Durban was due to take place on June 13. The virtual race is proposed for June
13, but runners were advised to be on the lookout for other developments that
will be disclosed via the CMA website and Facebook page. “There are some good
news though. After the success of last year’s virtual event, in which 43 788
runners from more than 100 countries participated, organisers have confirmed
that there will be a second Comrades Marathon virtual race on June 13. Details
will be announced later, but you can keep an eye on developments here,” read a
notification posted last Wednesday on the CMA Facebook page.
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Board announced their decision to cancel
the Comrades Marathon Centenary Race scheduled for June 13, 2021, owing to the
ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.  This announcement was communicated by CMA
Chairperson Cheryl Winn last Wednesday.
Restrictions
Winn urged runners to accept and respect the CMA’s decision which had been
made in conjunction with the KwaZulu/Natal Athletics (KZNA), Athletics South
Africa (ASA), government restrictions and most importantly, with the utmost
regard for the health and welfare of all athletes, volunteers and all
stakeholders. Last year’s race became the first to be cancelled since the
Second World War. The cancellation was an inconvenience and a bitter pill to
swallow because this year’s event would have marked the 100th anniversary of
the first Comrades Marathon race, which was run in May 1921.