Comrades Marathon: By the numbers

Runners participating in the annual Comrades Marathon.

Picture: Rajesh Jantilal/AFP The annual Comrades Marathon will be held between Durban and Pietermaritzburg on Sunday. 3– Starting groups that will be separated in Durban in order to ease congestion in the early stages of the race 4– Victories achieved by Gerda Steyn, who is aiming to become the seventh athlete (men and women) to win the race five times 5– Major hills runners must climb along the route, including Cowies, Fields, Botha’s, Inchanga and Polly Shortts 7– Cut-off points along the route which runners must reach in time to continue and receive a medal 9– Buses led by pacesetters who will help runners reach the finish ahead of the various cut-off times for specific medals 12– Final cut-off, in hours, for athletes to receive a medal for an official finish 20– Minimum age limit for runners to participate in the race 49– Refreshment stations along the route which will be manned by 5,000 volunteers 85.77– Official race distance, in kilometres, making this the shortest Comrades Marathon in the history of the race