Athletics South Africa (ASA) has decided to postpone the 2020 Comrades Marathon due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was initially scheduled for June 14.
ASA says in a statement that it has accepted that the protection of all lives outweighs everything else. It says it has also realised that the lockdown affects everyone including athletes, coaches, event organisers, athletes’ representatives, administrators and communities.
Athletics South Africa confirms that #Comrades2020 has been postponed. More details to follow. #IphuphoLami #DareToDream #StaySafe #FlattenTheCurve pic.twitter.com/aQiC9KnbmR
— ComradesRace (@ComradesRace) April 17, 2020
ASA, KZN Athletics and the Comrades Marathon Association will determine a new suitable date for this year’s Ultimate Human Race as soon as conditions around the management of the virus allow them to do so.
All other athletic events scheduled for this year, have also been postponed indefinitely.
In the video below, Athletics SA elaborates on the decision:
In March Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa slammed organisers of Comrades South Africa for they will continue with plans to stage the marathon until further notice.
In the audio below, Mthethwa rejected this statement as reckless and irresponsible:
It had come after various sports events were cancelled following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of a national state of disaster over COVID-19, prohibiting gatherings of more than 100 people.
