Cape Town - If the winner in either the men’s or women’s races in this year’s Comrades Marathon breaks the 'Up-run' records of Leonid Shvetsov (2008 - 5:24:49) or Elena Nurgalieva (2006 - 6:09:24), respectively, he or she will take home a minimum of R1 million in prize money.
That figure is comprised of a first prize of R500 000 plus a R500 000 incentive for breaking the record; in addition to prizes for first South African (R200 000) and first KwaZulu-Natal man and woman (R45 000).
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has confirmed that nearly R4.3 million is in the prize kitty for the 94th edition of the world’s most gruelling ultra-marathon, to be hosted on Sunday, June 9, 2019.
South African athletes
The first South African citizen (man and woman) to complete the event will each receive R200 000.
KwaZulu-Natal Athlete
The first KwaZulu-Natal athlete (man and woman) to complete the race will each receive R45 000 from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport & Recreation.
In addition to prize money, 1-ounce gold medals valued at over R770 000 are awarded to the first 10 men and the first 10 women.
The Comrades Marathon traditionally attracts competitors from across the country and around the world; including the very best ultra-distance athletes.
With the addition of two new medals, the Isavel Roche-Kelly and the Robert Mtshali, there is certainly an added incentive for runners to vary their Comrades goals this year.
MEDALS
Gold - First 10 Men and Women
Wally Hayward
(Men) - Position 11 to sub-6:00
Isavel Roche-Kelly (Women) - Position 11 to sub-7:30
Silver (Men) - 6:00:01 to sub-7:30
Bill Rowan - 7:30:01 to sub-9:00
Robert Mtshali - 9:00:01 to sub 10:00
Bronze - 10:00:01 to sub-11:00
Vic Clapham - 11:00:0 to sub 12:00
How much of a runner are you?
