Comrades Marathon runners who were unable to enter the 2017 Comrades Marathon during the official entry period (1 September – 30 November 2016) now have an opportunity to still be part of the world’s biggest and oldest ultra-marathon through the official 2017 Comrades Marathon Substitution process between mid-March and mid-April.
The Comrades Marathon Association’s (CMA) Substitution Rule allows for a runner who has not entered to substitute an entrant who has withdrawn, or intends to withdraw from the 2017 Comrades Marathon.
Substitutions can only take effect on a like for like basis, meaning SA runners can only substitute for SA entrants, Rest of Africa (ROA) for other ROA runners and International runners for International entrants. The Substitution process officially opens on 14 March and closes on 14 April 2017.
The completed application forms as specified in the Substitution Rule must reach the CMA office by close of business on 14 April 2017. There will be no extension of this deadline and no postal applications will be accepted.
Athletes intending to submit Substitution application forms are advised to visit the official Comrades Marathon website at www.comrades.com for the comprehensive list of rules and regulations which govern the Substitution process.
The downloadable Substitution application forms will be available on the morning of 14 March 2017. Prospective substitutes are encouraged to do their application online.
Race Director Rowyn James says, ‘The Substitution Rule has been very well received by our runners, with more athletes taking over the entries of those runners who are unable to participate on race day due to illness, injury or non-qualification.”
James adds, “The Substitution Rule has therefore ensured that as many athletes as possible have the opportunity to participate in the Comrades Marathon. We urge our runners to get their applications in as soon as the process opens.’