Launch of the Comrades Marathon 2014...

It's the time of the year again as registration for the Comrades Marathon 2014 will begin on 1 September 2013 at 6am local Malaysian time. It's pretty hard to believe that I've done twice the run now and will be returning the following year and hopefully for many many more years to come. To read more about my runs the past 2 years click on the following link, 2012 and 2013.

Anyway, to cut things short, the below is the official press release for the launch of the Comrades Marathon 2014 which was held on 29 August 2013 over at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Johannesburg. 

Launch of 2014 Comrades Marathon The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) launched its campaign for The 2014 Ultimate Human Race in Johannesburg on Thursday, 29 August 2013.

The tough conditions that characterized the 2013 Ultimate Human Race served as a reality check to many Comrades Marathon runners that this is still one of the toughest endurance events in the world. This was the inspiration behind the 2014 campaign: ‘Hard Is What Makes It Great!’

South Africa’s top runners, sporting personalities, stakeholders and media joined in the celebratory launch of the nation’s best loved ultra-marathon for its 89th edition.

The CMA is all set for another amazing race, come Sunday, 1 June 2014. Being a ‘down-run’, the starting gun will fire off outside Pietermaritzburg’s City Hall at 05h30 and go off again 12 hours later at Durban’s Sahara-Kingsmead Cricket Stadium to signal the finish of the 89km road-running challenge.

1 September 2013 brings with it not only the beginning of spring but also the official opening of entries for the 2014 Comrades Marathon. The entry period will close on 30 November 2013 or as soon as the entry cap of 18000 has been reached. Prospective entrants are encouraged to get their entries in early so as to not be left disappointed.

Entry fees for 2014 are as follows:

• Local Entries : R350.00
• Rest of Africa : R550.00
• International : R1800.00

The CMA has once again catered generously for its South African runners who will be eligible for the ‘early bird’ entry fee of R320 if their entry is received before 30 September 2013. The regular entry fee of R350 will kick in on 1 October 2013 until the entry process is closed. Runners from the rest of Africa will be charged an entry fee of R550 and the cost to international athletes is R1800.

Other great news for runners is that the Substitution Rule will once again be a feature of the 2014 Comrades Marathon entry process, the details of which can be found online atwww.comrades.com.

Aspiring runners are urged to enter the great race as early as possible, as entries are strictly on a first come first serve basis. The entry requirements, which are clearly indicated on the entry form, must be strictly complied with at all times or runners may risk losing their place at the Start.

Runners may enter as follows:

• Online via the Comrades Marathon website: www.comrades.com;
• Through the post by posting your completed entry form with proof of payment to the CMA Office in Pietermaritzburg: P.O. Box 100621, Scottsville, 3209;
• Comrades Marathon House: by handing the completed entry form together with payment at the CMA office in Pietermaritzburg.

Please note that no entries will be taken at Mr Price stores from now on. Entry forms will be available at local running clubs, provincial sporting federations and the CMA; as well as selected qualifying races which the Comrades Team will be attending from September to November. Alternatively, prospective participants may hand deliver or post their completed entry forms and proof of payment to the CMA offices in Pietermaritzburg – P.O.Box 100621, Scottsville, 3209.

Other awesome news for those runners aiming for the top positions is that the overall 2014 Prize Money has been increased by a whopping 14%. The total prize money for the 2014 Comrades Marathon has increased to R3.159,000; up from R2.653,000. This means that next year’s Male and Female Winners will receive a first prize of R350,000 each as opposed to the R300,000 awarded this year.

As part of its Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive, the CMA’s six official charities are the Community Chest of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, PinkDrive, The Sports Trust, Starfish-Greathearts Foundation, Wildlands Conservation Trust and World Vision South Africa.

The charities’ focus are on issues of community development, care for the aged, health and wellness, AIDS care and support, the environment and sports development. Through the amazing Amabeadibeadi Charity initiative, they gain significant resources to effect the intended meaningful change to those needy communities across South Africa.

Further to that, the CMA prides itself in giving the less fortunate athletes an opportunity to compete by putting the humanity into The Ultimate Human Race by making the dreams of approximately 800 disadvantaged runners a reality every year. For over a decade, the Underprivileged Runners Programme has provided resources and moral support to these runners who would normally be unable to compete in the world’s biggest and oldest ultra-marathon and join in the camaraderie and enjoyment associated with it.

CMA Vice Chairman, Macdonald Chitja says: ‘It is with a great sense of pride and pleasure that we unveil our campaign for the 2014 Comrades Marathon. The 2013 race proved to be one of the most difficult races for our runners and the 2014 campaign speaks directly to that.’ Chitja adds, ‘As we direct our prime focus on the Comrades Marathon runner, we also make provisions for supporting the greater good of South Africa through the CMA’s Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive. We are grateful to our generous runners, sponsors, partners and supporters who contribute to the overall success of our charitable outreach. We look forward to hosting you all on 1 June 2014 and wish all runners well in their training.

New York City Marathon 2008...

Congratulations as Jamie ran his personal best at the New York City Marathon 2008 with a time of 04:03:49 and Geraldine clocking 04:12:32. This is what Jamie had to say.

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"Very tough course. Cramps on thighs. Kept pace right up to 32K. Fought back a 4min deficit to 2min then lost back 1. In the end finished in 4:03 for a 13min PR. Glad with my effort as I didn't walk and able to rely on positive thoughts of my kids."

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In the mean time, Paula Radcliffe made it a treble to win yet again. Read all about it here, courtesy from The Sun UK - 3 November 2008.

Paula Radcliffe put on a one-woman show fit for Broadway to blitz her rivals in the New York marathon.

Radcliffe finished almost TWO MINUTES ahead of her nearest rival to become only the second woman to win the Big Apple spectacular three times.

. The top 3 women finishers...

Exactly 11 weeks after her disappointment at the Beijing Olympics, when she could only finish 23rd after a stress fracture hampered her preparations, a fit and healthy Radcliffe re-established herself as the world’s best over 26.2 miles.

She clocked 2hr 23.56sec as she crossed the Central Park finishing line.
Radcliffe, 34, even had time to pose for photographs with daughter Isla before Russian Ludmila Petrova came home in 02:25.43.

Among the first to congratulate Radcliffe on the podium was Norwegian legend Grete Waitz — a former Olympic silver medallist, who won the New York marathon nine times, the last 20 years ago.

Radcliffe, who pocketed £110,000 in fees and bonuses for her victory, said: “To win three times is very special. To be a third of the way to replicating what Grete did here is amazing. Grete was a huge inspiration to me.

“Why can I get it right every time in New York and not at the Olympics? It is frustrating.

“The Olympics only comes around every four years and you have to get it right on the day.

“Constantina Dita got it right and won but I wasn’t able to. Sometimes you have to deal with what life deals you.

“It was nice to run it differently this year and make it easier on my husband. The two previous finishes here were very close.”

This really was the Fairytale of New York as once again Radcliffe defied those who had written her off in Beijing.

The marathon world-record holder had come into the race as the defending champion, having won here a year ago after giving birth to Isla.

Back then, victory came after a sprint finish with Ethiopian Gete Wami.

If that was sensational, this was even better. Wami faded away out in the Bronx with more than six miles left, leaving Radcliffe to battle it out with 40-year-old Petrova, champion here eight years ago.

Then, with just over four miles to go, Radcliffe kicked and left Petrova standing.

Radcliffe insists she wants to continue running up to London 2012 for the chance of finally achieving her Olympic dream.

She has now won eight of the 10 marathons she has competed in — the only two missing being in Athens in 2004 and Beijing.

Bookies are already offering odds of 10-1 on her winning gold in four years’ time.

New Yorker Kara Goucher finished her debut marathon third in 02:25.53, the fastest time ever by an American woman.

Goucher, 30, who beat Radcliffe in last year’s Great North Run, was inspired by the Brit’s New York triumph in 2007.

She said: “I’d never seen anything like it.

“It was the most inspirational athletics performance I’d ever seen. I’m still in awe of her. And today she just hammered us.”

Glasgow’s Hailey Haining finished 12th.

World's First Sub 2:04...

The world's first sub 2:04 timing for a marathon has been achieved by Haile Gebrselassie at the 35 Berlin Martathon 2008 on 28 September 2008. Read all about it here, courtesy from The Star.

Berlin: Haile Gebrselassie bettered his world record yesterday to complete a title hat-trick at the Berlin Marathon.

The Ethiopian Gebrselassie, 35, clocked 02:03:59 for the 42.195km distance, taking 27 seconds off the record 02:04:26 he ran for the Berlin victory in 2007.

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The legend crossing the finish line...

Gebrselassie also won the race in the German capital 2006 to become the first man in 35 editions to get three Berlin victories.

“I am so, so, so happy. Everything was perfect, the weather, the pacemakers, the crowd,” said the delighted Gebrselassie.

“Berlin is my lucky city.”

German Irina Mikitenko, meanwhile, became the fourth-fastest women in a race history with 02:19:19 to add the Berlin success to her win in London earlier in the year.

Gebrselassie won ahead of Kenyans James Kwambai (02:05:36) and Charles Kamathi (02:07.48), undeterred by a recent calf muscle problem and a not fully ideal preparation - having run the 10,000m at the Beijing Olympics in August where he came sixth.

“I had a small calf muscle problem two weeks ago,” said Gebrselassie, who had to sit out training for a week and only resumed practice eight days ago. “I had some doubts but today was really good.”

Gebrselassie made the most of perfect conditions, sunny skies and not too warm temperatures, passing the halfway mark in 01:02:05 hours well on record course.

He then ran the second half of the race in 01:01:54, shaking off Kwambai and storming over the finish line close to the Brandenburg Gate in world record time.

The moment history was made...

Gebrselassie has now raised the world record by 57 seconds in the last two Berlin races, the former mark being 02:04.55 from Kenyan Paul Tergat in 2003.

Officials said that Gebrselassie will be back in Berlin to run the marathon at the world championships next year, which will take place on a different course.

So will Mikitenko, whose race at the worlds will be on her 37th birthday.

“I think I can run as fast next year,” said Mikitenko after becoming only the ninth women to dip below the 2:20-hours barrier.

“I can’t believe it. It was always my dream to run under 2:20,” she said after her big win in only her third marathon.

The Berlin Marathon featured some 40,000 runners and is also part of the prestigious World Marathon Series.

Flora London Marathon 2008...

The Flora London Marathon 2008, part of the World Marathon Majors was held yesterday 13 April 2008 at Greenwich Park, London. The following are the respective report for the Men and Women Elite category extracted from Runners World.

Martin Lel Wins His Third London Marathon in 2:05:15
One hundrer years after the marathon distance was standardized as 26 miles and 385 yards at the 1908 London Olympics, the Kenyan Lel made an argument for his being the greatest current master of that distance as he joined Dionicio Ceron and Antonio Pinto as a three-time London Marathon titleist , outgunning Sammy Wanjiru by nine seconds in a course record of 2:05:15. "I was under pressure to do something today," realized Lel. "They asked for something and I gave something." He successfully defend his 2007 laurels; he also won in 2005. The race was actually on world record pace for about 20 miles. Abderrahim Goumri's third place was 2:05:30 was a Moroccan national record in the first marathon ever to have six men finish under 2:07. "To win this race you have to work extra hard," observed a happy Lel. "This is one of the best races I have done. Now I want to come back next year and make it three in a row." It's expected that Lel and Wanjiru will both be named to the Kenyan Olympic team. Lel is now the fourth fastest marathoner of all time behind behind Haile Gebrselassie, Paul Tergat and Sammy Korir on the world all time list.

Germany's Irina Mikitenko Upsets Zakharova And Wami At London Marathon
Mikitenko was a track runner who'd represented Kazakhstan in the 1996 Olympics; she has run 14:42 for 5000 meters. She later switched her allegiance to Germany and, in her marathon debut, finished second to Gete Wami in Berlin in 2007. On Sunday in London, in just her second sojourn over 26.2 miles, she accelerated away from former Boston and Chicago champion Svetlana Zakharova of Russia in the 24th mile to win by 25 seconds in 2:24:14. “I was in such good shape I knew I could do it,” explained Mikitenko, who became the first German winner of the London Marathon since Katrin Dorre in 1994. “I am so happy to win my first marathon and I know I have much more to show at this distance.” There was good news for Zakharova, too; after the race, she received a call from her Russian federation confirming that she'd be on her country's Olympic team for Beijing. Gete Wami, the World Marathon Majors champion, took a hard tumble at a refreshment station just before the 30k mark and may have lost as much as 30 seconds, but she recovered on Sunday to place third. Liz Yelling ran 2:28:33 for ninth place and may have earned a spot on the British Olympics team. "I'm delighted to break the two-and-a-half hour barrier, I'm not sure I ran the best tactical race," observed Yelling, "but I decided to just race and see how much I had."

Martin Lel (L) and Irina Mikitenko (R) winning the London Marathon 2008...

New York Marathon 2007...

Extracted from The Sun UK (5 November 2007)

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START spreading the news. Paula Radcliffe is back.

Less than 10 months after giving birth to daughter Isla and two years and 81 days since she last raced over 26.2 miles Radcliffe stormed to victory in the New York Marathon.

Those vagabond shoes saw her cross the Central Park finish line 23 seconds ahead of Ethiopian Gete Wami in 2hr 23min 8sec.

It was revenge for the World Championships in 2001 when Wami pipped Radcliffe to bronze in the 10,000m by eight hundredths of a second, prompting the now infamous on-track spat with husband Gary Lough.

This time there were hugs for Gary, who handed baby Isla into her arms within seconds of the finish.

Radcliffe admitted: “I kept repeating to myself I love you Isla, I love you Isla to keep my rhythm going.”

Paula, 33, was not just a part of this race, she was determined to win from the start and repeat the victory here in 2004 when she made her comeback after the Olympic disaster in Athens after failing to finish.

She was only too aware that if she could do it here, she could do it anywhere — hopefully Beijing next summer, where Radcliffe is Britain’s best hope for athletics gold. Then maybe even London 2012.

Olympic track legend Seb Coe, chairman of the London Games, was among those waiting to congratulate her in Central Park.

The Bedford racer, who set the world-record of 2hr 15min 20sec in London in 2003, returned only last month after a two-year lay-off.

Injuries after giving birth to Isla on January 17 meant she missed the World Championships this summer and the chance to defend her marathon title.

She could manage only second place in the Great North Run in Newcastle, suffering her first half-marathon defeat in eight years as American Kara Goucher romped to victory.

But five weeks later there was no mistaking the gutsy Radcliffe of old. She led from the start on Staten Island, tailed by the tiny Wami.

By Brooklyn Radcliffe and Wami were already 40 seconds ahead of the rest of the field including reigning world champion Catherine Ndereba.

At the halfway mark — the Pulask Bridge which links Brooklyn to Queens — they were 2min 36sec up.

As they ran past the Giants Stadium Radcliffe, with her trademark knee-length socks, shades and titanium necklace, was slowing, the head bobbing more than usual.

As they edged around Central Park Wami overtook her but Radcliffe fought back, sprinting past into Columbus Circle and the gates to Central Park.

Wami — who won the Berlin Marathon 35 days earlier — had nothing else left to give and finished well back in 2hr 23min 32sec.

She admitted: “I tried to pass her but she was too strong and I couldn’t catch her again.

“When I had my child it took me three or four years to get back so I’m impressed by her.”

There was some consolation as her second place meant she picked up a £250,000 cheque for winning the World Marathon Majors series, the culmination of 10 races over 18 months.

Third was Latvian Jelena Prokpcuka, who has twice won the New York event, way behind in 2hr 26min 13sec.

Radcliffe, whose victory earned her £85,000, was well within the 2hr 37min qualifying mark for next summer’s Olympics in Beijing.

She will now have to decide whether to run another marathon in the spring, with London top of the list, or go straight to China on the back of this victory.

It was a family affair for Paula. Parents Peter and Pat were in New York for the race, having flown out to help Gary with “international baby-sitting duties.”

Gary himself clocked 2hr 41min in New York last year.

Among the celebrities taking part was seven times Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, who clocked 2hr 46min 43sec.