There are two days left for financially disadvantaged athletes to apply to be part of the Comrades Disadvantaged Runners Programme for the 2024 Comrades Marathon.
Support for disadvantaged athletes has been an on-going feature of the Ultimate Human Race since 1999 and is only available to unemployed athletes or those earning less than R6000 per month.
CMA partner, Government Employee Medical Scheme (GEMS), has arranged for disadvantaged runners to be accommodated at the YMCA at 1 Alan Paton Avenue in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg.
The GEMS Comrades Disadvantaged Runners Village will operate from Saturday to Monday June 8 to 10, offering sleeping facilities on the eve of the race, Saturday June 8, and the night of the race, Sunday June 9. It also includes high-carb meals, energy drinks and transportation to the race for these runners.
These athletes will be provided with safe sleeping quarters, a comfortable mattress and blanket; meals and tea/coffee on the morning of race day.
In order to plan adequately, the CMA requires that applications are made by no later than tomorrow, Friday May 17.
Runners are reminded that their initial transportation from their place of residence to either Durban or Pietermaritzburg and back to their residence will be for their own expense.
In order to qualify for the programme, runners must be unemployed or earn less than R6000 a month. A copy of the runner’s salary slip or an affidavit declaring their unemployment or earnings will need to accompany their application.
For more information contact Sifiso Mngoma on sifiso@comrades.com