941 replies to this topic

[Unlikelyrunner]

A couple of quick tips.....

1. Registration via the CMA website - this may take a few weeks to filter through from Mr Pirce to the CMA.  Dont panic.  If you have an email confirmation that you are entered you are fine (dont be confused about registration for Mr Price, and entering Comrades 2012 itself.  They are 2 totally different processes.  You must do one before the other, but need to do both to enter.

2. Championchips - 99% of 1st timers wont have one. You advise this via the sign-up process if you have one or not.  If you do, you have to enter your ID number. If you dont, you pay an extra $12USD to get one (which you collect at the expo in Durban). So if you have entered your bill should be $192USD!

3. Qualification.  I believe most measured 42.2km road races will be acceptable.  So long as you can name the race and refer them to the "official results" via the www where your name and times are available, you will be fine.

4. If you havent qualified yet, just email the Comrades Marathon Association once you have with details mentioned above.

Other things I observed from last year is that South Africa is a 3rd world country. Many people forget this. As a result, some of the process and procedure they follow isnt what we might be used to here in Australia.  If the organisers make a mistake with your entry, please dont get angry with them.  People like Mbali at the CMA are some of the nicest people you will meet (she will welcome you at the international registration section of the expo) and they work ridculously hard, so always try and be a little bit more tolerant compared to how you might deal with the organisers of say the Melbourne or Gold Coast Marathon....

And for the 1st timers, enjoy the excitement.  It will only build from here, not dissapate

As for me, I left my 2011 Championchip at home, so I will need to wait till I dig it our of my draw (conveniently sitting next to my 2011 medal) until I enter.

PS: Edit, just read diggers update, he puts it soooo much better than me!

Edited by Unlikelyrunner, 01 September 2011 - 09:18 AM.

[Basil]

So, you can use your Championchip from a previous Comrades?

[Streakrunner]

Basil, on 01 September 2011 - 09:27 AM, said:

So, you can use your Championchip from a previous Comrades?

Hi Basil, yes, you can use the previous year's one. It is yours for life. It is sometimes even accepted in other international races, so hold on to it. I have just sucessfully entered for 2012 for myself and hubbie. whoohooo, no problems via the Mr Price site, easy as!

[Teeks]

Crap, I didn't select the Champion Chip on the entry form as I thought I could buy it at the Expo (I misunderstood this process), can I go back to my entry and add it now I wonder? if not then any advise as to what should I do?  Bugger!!!

[Digger]

Basil, on 01 September 2011 - 09:27 AM, said:

So, you can use your Championchip from a previous Comrades?

Yep, you can use any Championship Chip, as long as its yours, as they have your name encoded into them. I use my Yellow Chip from Boston 1996, but I do have a blue Comrades 2000 Chip. Others have Green Comrades chips, and I the Two Oceans chips(Which I think are white) also work.)

[Unlikelyrunner]

Basil, on 01 September 2011 - 09:27 AM, said:

So, you can use your Championchip from a previous Comrades?

Basil, wondering why you might be asking.....  

[Streakrunner]

Teeks, on 01 September 2011 - 09:32 AM, said:

Crap, I didn't select the Champion Chip on the entry form as I thought I could buy it at the Expo (I misunderstood this process), can I go back to my entry and add it now I wonder? if not then any advise as to what should I do?  Bugger!!!

No problem Teeks, just take your chip with you when you are in Durban and registering and they will link your chip to you. We did that in 2010.

[Digger]

Teeks, on 01 September 2011 - 09:32 AM, said:

Crap, I didn't select the Champion Chip on the entry form as I thought I could buy it at the Expo (I misunderstood this process), can I go back to my entry and add it now I wonder? if not then any advise as to what should I do?  Bugger!!!

Too hard, buy one at the expo.

[Teeks]

Digger, on 01 September 2011 - 09:38 AM, said:

Too hard, buy one at the expo.

Whew!!!  OK, I was hoping it wouldn't be a hassle to buy one there, yay!  thanks again Digger!  one less thing to worry about  

[FelixAusted]

First post. First Comrades
Signed up this morning.

For the past 6 months, training for the Melbourne Marathon ( my second ) has been a masive part of my life.
Now I can't wait to get past it, and into training for Comrades.

[Basil]

Unlikelyrunner, on 01 September 2011 - 09:37 AM, said:

Basil, wondering why you might be asking.....  

Haha, UR, I was wondering when you might ask me that.  

Just asking .....

[Colin]

Unlikelyrunner, on 31 August 2011 - 07:38 PM, said:

Colin,

Ask digger about his race 2years ago and how he finished despite adversity.

If there is one race in the world that will push you beyond what you think you is humanly possible, this is the one!

Ps: entries open tomorrow!

Thanks but a bit different to my case. At this point in time I don't even have a starting point for commencing actual running ...even 1km...and unlike Digger it will be my first race and not to keep a sequence going.
I won't be going if all I am capable of is 10hrs or worse. Sorry if it offends those that can only manage that, but I would have been hoping to do something like a silver, and if I blow up doing so and actually have to scrape in under 12hrs then I will guts it out...but I won't go with the intention beforehand of 'just finishing'.
I have also not done all my training then got an injury before the race...that happenned with Two Oceans 2007 and I was happy to guts it out.

Now, because my eye has been off the ball because of this , I actually have been caught out that entries opened.

Edited by Colin, 01 September 2011 - 12:09 PM.

[geoffa]

Interesting that you can enter before 9am Durban time! I wonder if the locals know that?

[Oldladylegs]

Hi All,

Just entered myself and my better half.
Process pretty straightforward and painless.......wish I could say the same for the training that lies ahead!

Interesting times ahead.

OLL

[geoffa]

FelixAusted, on 01 September 2011 - 09:52 AM, said:

First post. First Comrades
Signed up this morning.

For the past 6 months, training for the Melbourne Marathon ( my second ) has been a masive part of my life.
Now I can't wait to get past it, and into training for Comrades.

Welcome to the Internationally Certified Nutters Association. Enjoy

[geoffa]

Unlikelyrunner, on 01 September 2011 - 09:15 AM, said:

As for me, I left my 2011 Championchip at home, so I will need to wait till I dig it our of my draw (conveniently sitting next to my 2011 medal) until I enter.

UR

You can enter without it. Those details can wait until the Expo

[Unlikelyrunner]

geoffa, on 01 September 2011 - 12:59 PM, said:

UR

You can enter without it. Those details can wait until the Expo

Give me 24hrs so I can find a new excuse then?

[geoffa]

Unlikelyrunner, on 01 September 2011 - 01:39 PM, said:

Give me 24hrs so I can find a new excuse then?

As for the Brownie points, I quote my wife "It's not brain surgery - just take me out to dinner and buy me flowers occasionally!" So I used her credit card for my entry

[Unlikelyrunner]

geoffa, on 01 September 2011 - 02:14 PM, said:

As for the Brownie points, I quote my wife "It's not brain surgery - just take me out to dinner and buy me flowers occasionally!" So I used her credit card for my entry

Ha, I sent her a text earlier casually mentioning that signup opens today (she knows damn well it does mind you).

The response I got back verbatim was "Comrades sign up.  Today.  Really?  Let the sucking up begin………………………."

My response?  Call me Dyson from now on, it sucks up big time, and never loses suction either.

[Digger]

geoffa, on 01 September 2011 - 02:14 PM, said:

As for the Brownie points, I quote my wife "It's not brain surgery - just take me out to dinner and buy me flowers occasionally!" So I used her credit card for my entry

Last year I used my wife's Frequent Flyier points, and she didn't work that out for awhile.

[Supersam1979]

Unlikelyrunner, on 01 September 2011 - 09:15 AM, said:

Other things I observed from last year is that South Africa is a 3rd world country. Many people forget this. As a result, some of the process and procedure they follow isnt what we might be used to here in Australia.  If the organisers make a mistake with your entry, please dont get angry with them.  People like Mbali at the CMA are some of the nicest people you will meet (she will welcome you at the international registration section of the expo) and they work ridculously hard, so always try and be a little bit more tolerant compared to how you might deal with the organisers of say the Melbourne or Gold Coast Marathon....

Forgive me mate, and with all due respect, but the Comrades Expo (save for a few issues regarding theft of cables etc - this could happen anywhere on earth..) kicks the daylights out of anything that we have in this country including the Gold Coast. There was the odd issue with the shirts and with Americans losing tempers and swearing at registration - this is not called for and I told them in as many words. All the Aussie entrants I observed were well behaved and stood in line waiting to be helped.

What has to be remembered is that a huge amount of the field in this event still use snail mail to enter events. This is a fact of life in SA as many runners don't have access to the internet and many more are not even literate. I can't think of any event anywhere else in the world where up to 1200 entrants are sleeping rough in parks and on roads etc the night before the run because they have nowhere else to go - true Comrades fact (keep this in mind as you snuggle in your 5 star hotel). Many of these people will run past you on the day barefoot but locked in the same journey as you are. We are so incredibly spoilt in this country..

Comrades is indeed a race of such extremes, from observing shacks and rural villages to passing through areas with mansions and swimming pools - you will see it all, not only with your eyes but also in your heart and soul. Where you go and what you see and discover about yourself and your life is your journey alone, but you will walk away a changed person. Come 5pm on that day when you have finished (and finish you will) something inside of you will have shifted - you may not know at the time but you will be on a new journey in life.

Why do I go back even though I am still a long way off my potential time (and last years up was really hard for me)? Quite simply Comrades for me is about all that is good with humanity - if South Africa could embrace Comrades spirit each and everyday, the country would be unstoppable. It is the belief that there is good out there in the world, that tomorrow will be better than today, that poor and rich can compete on an equal playing field (if only for one day), that no matter who you are or what your background, you are welcome on that day and the crowd and your fellow runner will welcome you as you would welcome a family member and will will you forward to complete the race and stand on top of your own mountain that day!

If all goes according to plan, then next year will be the most memorable of all my Comrades.

See it! believe it! achieve it! and stand on top of that mountain!

[Unlikelyrunner]

Supersam1979, on 01 September 2011 - 03:55 PM, said:

Forgive me mate, and with all due respect, but the Comrades Expo (save for a few issues regarding theft of cables etc - this could happen anywhere on earth..) kicks the daylights out of anything that we have in this country including the Gold Coast.

Supersam, you missed my point and yes the Expo was phenonimal!!

I was merely pointing to the entry process.  Numerous people entered last year and were given the wrong seeding, some sent emails and didnt get responses for a while, etc.  All I was recommending here is be patient, be polite, things will sort themselves out over the coming months.  When peeps get to South Africa and see how hard these guys work to keep us international runners happy, and make the race happen without hiccup on the day, all will become clear.

[Digger]

Supersam1979, on 01 September 2011 - 03:55 PM, said:

Forgive me mate, and with all due respect, but the Comrades Expo (save for a few issues regarding theft of cables etc - this could happen anywhere on earth..) kicks the daylights out of anything that we have in this country including the Gold Coast. There was the odd issue with the shirts and with Americans losing tempers and swearing at registration - this is not called for and I told them in as many words. All the Aussie entrants I observed were well behaved and stood in line waiting to be helped.

What has to be remembered is that a huge amount of the field in this event still use snail mail to enter events. This is a fact of life in SA as many runners don't have access to the internet and many more are not even literate. I can't think of any event anywhere else in the world where up to 1200 entrants are sleeping rough in parks and on roads etc the night before the run because they have nowhere else to go - true Comrades fact (keep this in mind as you snuggle in your 5 star hotel). Many of these people will run past you on the day barefoot but locked in the same journey as you are. We are so incredibly spoilt in this country..

Comrades is indeed a race of such extremes, from observing shacks and rural villages to passing through areas with mansions and swimming pools - you will see it all, not only with your eyes but also in your heart and soul. Where you go and what you see and discover about yourself and your life is your journey alone, but you will walk away a changed person. Come 5pm on that day when you have finished (and finish you will) something inside of you will have shifted - you may not know at the time but you will be on a new journey in life.

Why do I go back even though I am still a long way off my potential time (and last years up was really hard for me)? Quite simply Comrades for me is about all that is good with humanity - if South Africa could embrace Comrades spirit each and everyday, the country would be unstoppable. It is the belief that there is good out there in the world, that tomorrow will be better than today, that poor and rich can compete on an equal playing field (if only for one day), that no matter who you are or what your background, you are welcome on that day and the crowd and your fellow runner will welcome you as you would welcome a family member and will will you forward to complete the race and stand on top of your own mountain that day!

If all goes according to plan, then next year will be the most memorable of all my Comrades.

See it! believe it! achieve it! and stand on top of that mountain!

Supersam and Digger are working on a 'Special Mountain' for Comrades 2012, and assuming we can get all of the Planets to align, Comrades 2012 will be super special to certain Australians, and if we pull it off, we hope that you will help us climb this mountain, but at the moment we only have 1 planet lined up, but we should know by December whether our Mountain is climbable, then we will let you into our world and allow you to help and encourage our Journey.  If we do climb to the top of the Mountain, oh, how sweet the view will be.

[Colin]

Supersam1979, on 01 September 2011 - 03:55 PM, said:

Unlikelyrunner, on 01 September 2011 - 09:15 AM, said:

Other things I observed from last year is that South Africa is a 3rd world country. Many people forget this. As a result, some of the process and procedure they follow isnt what we might be used to here in Australia.  If the organisers make a mistake with your entry, please dont get angry with them.  People like Mbali at the CMA are some of the nicest people you will meet (she will welcome you at the international registration section of the expo) and they work ridculously hard, so always try and be a little bit more tolerant compared to how you might deal with the organisers of say the Melbourne or Gold Coast Marathon....

Forgive me mate, and with all due respect, but the Comrades Expo ... kicks the daylights out of anything that we have in this country including the Gold Coast.

Was tossing up to comment on that but well said SS.

Yes, though South Africa is largely 3rd world in the standard of living of most of its people, the systems and professions are first world just like Australia. With respect to road running organisation Australia does not come close to SA. Relative to their road running our organisation (even 6ft) is 3rd world.
I can't talk for Comrades but I did Two Oceans in 2007 and everything was absolutely smooth from the entry through to the expo which is bigger and better than GCM...this is how they manage to have 18,000 plus in races as long as Comrades and 35,000 in a fully timed cycle race and have a smorgasbord of organised (not fat ass) races to choose from every week.

And because they have to accept thousands of entries from people who do not have internet our 1st world lack of patience and 'me me, now,now' can't cope.
When you are waiting for your confirmation just think how a similar race would even get off the ground here.

[Clark]

Hi everybody,
It is good to meet another bunch of looneys like myself who want to run Comrades.  I am planning to do the 2013 race.  My target is to use the GC marathon in 2012 as my qualifier and am planning (the great plans of mice and men!)to do a 3:45 marathon.  I read with great pleasure the enthusiasm and anguish we all go through on our great endeavours.  OMG what have I done I've just come out of the closet with my Comrades ambitions

By the way anyone from around Bundaberg way - our great claim to fame is our flatness (sugarcane and rum) so my hillwork may mean a lot of travel!

[Vroom]

Clark, on 01 September 2011 - 05:53 PM, said:

By the way anyone from around Bundaberg way - our great claim to fame is our flatness (sugarcane and rum) so my hillwork may mean a lot of travel!

My wife's from Bundaberg, so we get up there a couple of times a year to visit the in-laws. Great place to smash out a run and the Hummock will do nicely for some hill training. Was planning to run the Cane to coral last month but unfortunately couldn't make it. Good luck with the comrades 2013 dream

[Digger]

Clark, on 01 September 2011 - 05:53 PM, said:

By the way anyone from around Bundaberg way - our great claim to fame is our flatness (sugarcane and rum) so my hillwork may mean a lot of travel!

And by my count, at least 4 Comrades medals in 2010 and 2011 all owned by women.

[Basil]

Unless you test yourself, you stagnate.

Unless you try to go way beyond what you've been able to do before, you won't develop and grow.

When you are committed, when you don't have the fear of "what if I fail”, that's when you learn.

That's when you're really living.

Mark Allen - World Champion Ironman


I'm in.

Edited by Basil, 01 September 2011 - 08:19 PM.

[Unlikelyrunner]

Basil, on 01 September 2011 - 08:18 PM, said:

Unless you test yourself, you stagnate.

Unless you try to go way beyond what you've been able to do before, you won't develop and grow.

When you are committed, when you don't have the fear of "what if I fail”, that's when you learn.

That's when you're really living.

Mark Allen - World Champion Ironman


I'm in.

Nice work Basil. See you in May as I have just signed up as well, if not earlier - 6-foot track Marathon is always fun!

Edited by Unlikelyrunner, 02 September 2011 - 08:25 AM.

[Basil]

Hilton Duran booked (used points) - In Friday morning, out Monday.

Economy class   flights booked (using points). Incredibly, the extra surcharges and fees are $740 this year, compared to $427 in 2010. Looks like Qantas is throwing the carbon tax in there already. Still, it's the cheapest fare I'm likely to get.

Still grappling with significant injuries (shins and back) but hopeful that I can get them right over the coming months.

Will attempt to qualify in Hobart on 8th January with a comfortable sub-4.

Objective for Comrades - put it all on the line and go under 9. If I try and fail, then I have not failed.

I will put together a Melbourne-based Comrades group and hopefully we can get together from time-to-time to chat and share experiences and dreams, and maybe a run or two. I will be 'shifting' my program this time to move my long runs to a Monday and Tuesday (before work) to free up every Sunday for the family. It was part of the deal.

This morning I put on my Comrades bracelet (necklace). Looks like I have Comrades fever once again. And we all know what the cure is!

Can't wait for this!

Basil

Edited by Basil, 02 September 2011 - 10:22 AM.

[Digger]

Basil, on 02 September 2011 - 10:02 AM, said:

Hilton Duran booked (used points) - In Friday morning, out Monday.

Economy class   flights booked (using points). Incredibly, the extra surcharges and fees are $740 this year, compared to $427 in 2010. Looks like Qantas is throwing the carbon tax in there already. Still, it's the cheapest fare I'm likely to get.

This is all good, for those who have been before, but for those virgins, its better if you can get to Durban on the Thursday morning so as you can participate in:

-The Ambassadors Run at 3PM on Thursday, which is a 3 to 5km beachfront run with a whole host of Internationals

-The Ambassadors, 'Meet and Greet', 5PM on Thursday Night. Last year we had about 200 Internationals present, and our special guests included Bruce Fordyce and the Chairman of Comrades, Peter Proctor.  Bruce was there for at least 2 hours, and most took the opportunity to get a photo with him. Hopefully he will be there with us in 2012.

-The Friday Morning course tour, which starts at 8AM, which is a must if your are apprehensive about the course, as this will confirm your worst fears.

[Teeks]

Digger - on the course tour can partners come along as well?  Do you have to book in for this and if so can we register for the course tour once in Durban?  

cheers
Tika

[Digger]

Teeks, on 02 September 2011 - 10:33 AM, said:

Digger - on the course tour can partners come along as well?  Do you have to book in for this and if so can we register for the course tour once in Durban?  

cheers
Tika

Yep, but I think it costs R100 or R150, and its good to have them along, as then its clear to them why you don't get any sleep from the worry for what you are about to see.

[Teeks]

Digger, on 02 September 2011 - 10:50 AM, said:

Yep, but I think it costs R100 or R150, and its good to have them along, as then its clear to them why you don't get any sleep from the worry for what you are about to see.

cool thanks for that, just did a conversion and that's around $20 so I think it would be well worth it.  Now I need to stop trying to sort out all the little logistical things but I don't think I can help myself, I am going to be obsessed from now till the starting line and need as much info as I can gather  

[Digger]

Teeks, on 02 September 2011 - 11:04 AM, said:

I am going to be obsessed from now till the starting line and need as much info as I can gather  

This obsession could last longer than this.

B

[geoffa]

Digger, on 02 September 2011 - 10:19 AM, said:

-The Friday Morning course tour, which starts at 8AM, which is a must if your are apprehensive about the course, as this will confirm your worst fears.

Or even take you above and beyond your worst fears!

[Teeks]

geoffa, on 02 September 2011 - 12:52 PM, said:

Or even take you above and beyond your worst fears!

at least by that time we are there and it is too late to back out!!  you guys who have done it more than once and know what you are in for are the real crazy ones!!  I can plead ignorance  

[Digger]

geoffa, on 02 September 2011 - 12:52 PM, said:

Or even take you above and beyond your worst fears!

On my bus I tell the truth, on Mighty Mark's and Big Tom's bus, they stretch the truth, and their group are physically shaken by the experience.

This is Bart Yasso's version of the Private course tour I gave him in 2010:

Click here

Remember when reading this, that it was a 'Down Hill' year like 2012 will be.

You can also see Bart's Video Diary of his preparation by clicking here.

[Unlikelyrunner]

Friday you will be white with fear.

Saturday you will be silent with anticipation.

Sunday you will be bent in pain.  Until sometime between 12:30 and 5:30pm you will cross that finish line and your life will change forever.

Ask Supersam, ask Geoffa, ask Digger, ask Basil, ask anyone for that matter.  Their paths to the finish may be somewhat different but I doubt they will disagree with the end result.

[Tony78]

Digger, on 02 September 2011 - 01:11 PM, said:

On my bus I tell the truth, on Mighty Mark's and Big Tom's bus, they stretch the truth, and their group are physically shaken by the experience.

This is Bart Yasso's version of the Private course tour I gave him in 2010:

Click here

Remember when reading this, that it was a 'Down Hill' year like 2012 will be.

You can also see Bart's Video Diary of his preparation by clicking here.

Good read. Digger you love scaring people don't you...

[Digger]

Tony78, on 02 September 2011 - 02:09 PM, said:

Good read. Digger you love scaring people don't you...

Be scared, it makes you aware.

PS-Bart doesn't understand our term 'Taking the Piss".

[Supersam1979]

Fordyce, Noakes and co all say that they still fear Comrades today. Fear is good as it keeps you in check. Anyone not going in showing this course and event its just respect will come short.

Things are weird on the Comrades course to - at Arthurs seat I was taking strain this year and for the first time took a flower and dropped it while saluting Arthur and sayihng good morning (this legend says will bring a good second half and man did I need it). Out of nowhere came a friend of mine from SA and we ran to the finish together (guardian angel??, Arthur Newton?? or just dumb luck??) who knows.. I like to think that Greatheart sits out there on his seat on the day each year watching us go by.

[Kaiser]

Digger, on 02 September 2011 - 01:11 PM, said:

On my bus I tell the truth, on Mighty Mark's and Big Tom's bus, they stretch the truth, and their group are physically shaken by the experience.

Digger, how many of these 'buses' are there?

[Unlikelyrunner]

The buses are real, they are for the Friday trip of the route. There are 5 or 6 from memory and an ambassador commentates on each one.  Don't go on Marks, the american, he will have you believing all kind of horror stories!

[Digger]

Kaiser, on 02 September 2011 - 11:35 PM, said:

Digger, how many of these 'buses' are there?

There were 7 X 60 Seaters, all full.

[geoffa]

Supersam1979, on 02 September 2011 - 03:14 PM, said:

Fordyce, Noakes and co all say that they still fear Comrades today. Fear is good as it keeps you in check. Anyone not going in showing this course and event its just respect will come short.

Things are weird on the Comrades course to - at Arthurs seat I was taking strain this year and for the first time took a flower and dropped it while saluting Arthur and sayihng good morning (this legend says will bring a good second half and man did I need it). Out of nowhere came a friend of mine from SA and we ran to the finish together (guardian angel??, Arthur Newton?? or just dumb luck??) who knows.. I like to think that Greatheart sits out there on his seat on the day each year watching us go by.

It wasn't long after I placed the flower on Arthur's seat that my legs began to fail. Never again!

[Oldladylegs]

First Comrades so following all posts with interest!
Thanks for sharing all your experiences (....the good, bad and ugly!)

Just wondering when the "formal" training for Comrades should begin?? Late November or early January?

Is it best to follow a Comrades specific training program or is it just a case of increasing time on your feet and lots and lots of hills.......?

Appreciate any advice and tips from those who have been there and achieved the dream.

[mannys]

Hi All,

I’ve been dropping by to read posts on Coolrunning for a while but have never posted.  Since about April this year though I’ve really started to take an interest in Comrades 2012.  This started because of the two guys on Marathon Talk going though their preparation and run and and then I read over a lot of posts on Coolrunning about how people from this country have approached it.  At first I was amazed that people could finish this run and, after getting caught up in the enthusiasm that it generates, my thinking changed from ‘I could never do that’ to ‘now’s the time to do it’.  

Am currently very close to committing to next year’s run and am looking for some advice about:


* Race entry. I thought people looking to run their first Comrades had to wait until after September to enter.  Can first timers enter right now?

* Bus Tour of the course prior to the run.  How do you get a ticket for this – is it included as part of the entry?

* Bus to Pietermaritzburg on race day.  How do you organise a spot on one of the buses going up there from Durban?

* ChampionChip.  Just to confirm, these can be picked at the expo and registered for use in the event?


Any advice on these issues would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Mannys

[Unlikelyrunner]

Manny's,

Answers are ;

Enter now

Bus tour is free for you, leaves from the hilton.

Bus on race day, ask digger as I've only done the Up run so not sure. I'm staying at pietermaritzburg the night before.

Championchip, order as part of entry process.

Edited by Unlikelyrunner, 03 September 2011 - 09:36 PM.

[mannys]

Thanks Unlikelyrunner, that makes things a lot clearer.  I was talking to a travel agent who said that they were organising a bus up there but, as you say, another option is to stay at Pietermaritzburg the night before.

Also, just in case yourself or anyone else is interested, I dropped into a Flight Centre yesterday and was told that direct flights to Durban with Qantas are currently available for $2,100 return.