Comrades 2020

3 watchers

icenutter Oct 2019 11:20am, 30 Oct 2019 284 posts	0 icenutter Well I've entered Comrades 2020! Anyone else? Its my first ultra, so I'm totally going into the unknown on this one. I've been inspired to do Comrades specifically after listening to various podcasts covering it. Plus a South African (runner) colleague who incessantly tempted me over the last few months.
GordonG Oct 2019 11:39am, 30 Oct 2019 7,883 posts	0 GordonG how does Comrades work? is that a guaranteed entry or have you entered a ballot?
McGoohan Oct 2019 12:01pm, 30 Oct 2019 41,835 posts	0 McGoohan It's very nearly sold out. There are about 500 places left I think (Max 27500)
McGoohan Oct 2019 12:02pm, 30 Oct 2019 41,836 posts	0 McGoohan It's also not cheap... South Africa: R600 (28 October 2019 to 30 November 2019) Foreign athletes (Africa/SADC): R1500 (28 October 2019 to 30 November 2019) Foreign athletes: R3800 (28 October 2019 to 30 November 2019) That's about £200 quid for a UK entry I think...
swittle Oct 2019 12:08pm, 30 Oct 2019 58,036 posts	0 swittle becca7 is a Comrades regular and there are threads for the race for recent years.
icenutter Oct 2019 12:11pm, 30 Oct 2019 285 posts	0 icenutter Entry wise it’s first come first served. There’s some places reserved for novices and international athletes. Then you have to qualify by running ‘any’ marathon. So you qualify after entering, if that makes sense.
becca7 Oct 2019 3:04pm, 30 Oct 2019 7,883 posts	0 becca7 I'm in for number 8. The qualifier is within specified dates and can be run from during a period from the end of August until early May. I got my qualifier at Poznan a couple of weeks ago. A sub 4:50 marathon is needed but the race is likely to be a struggle for anyone who runs that on a flat course as South African races tend to be hilly. Faster marathons bring better starting pens. The entry fee has increased in price but I don't mind paying that as they look after you well with aid stations every couple of km, a separate International pen at the Expo and another at the finish. Plus it keeps the price down for locals, some of whom will have limited resources. The harsh fee is for the rest of Africa.
Gobi Oct 2019 3:18pm, 30 Oct 2019 67,994 posts	0 Gobi One of the best races you will ever do , worth every penny Nothing more needs to be said :¬)
clare1976 Oct 2019 3:26pm, 30 Oct 2019 4,236 posts	0 clare1976 It's definitely on my bucket list but not for a few years yet....
Gobi Oct 2019 3:29pm, 30 Oct 2019 67,995 posts	0 Gobi Has now been 11 years since my last one and still excites me when I think about it