Some interesting Comrades stats

Some interesting and some silly stats about this year's Comrades marathon.

• The most common surname is Naidoo.
• 71 runners will be celebrating birthdays on race day
• 6,884 runners are running the race for the first time
• International entries have increased from approx 600 to 1162. The organisers reckon this is because of the World Cup.
• The most popular brand of running shoe on race day is Asics
• 34 runners are running their 30th or more Comrades.
• This year an additional 11,000 runners will be taking on the race.
• Due to the increase in numbers, the number of water sachets available along the route have increased from 1,000,000 to 1,900,000.
• In the 2009 run, about 25% of the starters did not make the 12 hour cut-off

Comrades checklist

Remember to pack these before leaving for Comrades this year:

• Your Club running kit
• Running shoes: preferably a left and a right of the SAME pair.
• Socks: the most comfortable pair you have.
• All your energy gels, energy bars, drinks and whatever magic potions you have tried and tested in races
• The belt that you use to carry all the above mentioned items in
• Your Comrades confirmation card (or print out of the email which you should have received) 
• Your Championchip: Remember - No Chip, No Results.
• Vitamins and medication take daily
• Sports Lube / Vaseline 
• Sunblock
• Imodium tablets (I know, it's not a nice topic, but it's compulsory on my list) - just in case 
• And the things that none of us ever use on the run: Pain pills and anti inflammatories -- for after the race

Some things to do before the big day:

1. Drive the route the day before: It will ensure you start out at a more careful pace and don't get swept along in the early excitement. It's a long road, take it easy early on.
2. Go to the expo: check out all the goodies, but don't walk around for too long - save your legs for race day.
3. Don't try anything new! No matter what anyone says: If you haven't tried it before, leave it.
4. Make sure your supporters know where to stop and you know where to look out for them on the route.
5. On that note, make sure you make an arrangement where to meet your supporters at the finish too.

This list is certainly not exhaustive - if I've left anything out that you think should be included, please add it in the comments below.

Last but not least: Have a brilliant run! Take an extra dose of positivity and happiness in the morning, a couple of deep breaths at the start, close your eyes, see yourself crossing the finish line, smile.

You'll be fine, what's 89 kms after all the training you've done?

Cross Country Results

Well done to our Cross Country athletes who competed in the event held at Filadelphia School in Soshanguve on Saturday 15 May:







Estelle Gilbert - Women 40 - 4km
Time: 18:31 (2nd position)

Clinton Joel - Jnr Men - 6km
Time: 25:19