The 2024 Comrades Marathon will cause extensive road closures in Durban on Sunday, 9 June 2024.
2024 Comrades Marathon: Road closures for Sunday, 9 June 2024
The closures will commence from 07:00 and last until 18:00, affecting several major roads and intersections.
Key roads and ramps that will be closed include:
- New England Rd Ramps
- Alan Paton Ramp
- Market Rd Ramps
- Ashburton Ramps
- Lynnfield Park Ramps
- Umlaas Rd Ramps
- Camperdown Ramps
- Western Freeway Westbound from the City to the Sherwood/Mayville off-ramp
- Joseph Nduli Street at the Dr Pixley KaSeme Street intersection
- Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street at the Monty Naicker Street intersection
- Ingcuce Street at the Monty Naicker Street intersection
- Joe Slovo Street at the Dr Pixley KaSeme Street intersection
- Dorothy Nyembe Street at the Dr AB Xuma Road intersection
Motorists are advised to plan their routes in advance and expect possible traffic delays.
The Metro Police and SAPS will be on duty to manage traffic flow and ensure the safety of both runners and spectators.
What to expect from this year’s race
The official route distance for this year’s Up Run is 85.91 kilometres.
To support the runners, there will be 48 fully stocked refreshment stations along the route, providing essentials such as water, sports drinks, Coke, energy bars, bananas, and more.
These stations will be manned by nearly 5,000 volunteers, ensuring that the participants are well-hydrated and energised throughout the race.
A robust medical support system will be in place, provided by Netcare 911.
This includes 16 ambulances equipped with satellite tracking, six rapid response vehicles, six motorbikes with paramedics, and an air rescue helicopter if needed.
The medical operations will be coordinated from the Medical Joint Operations Control Centre at the finish line.
Eight medical stations staffed by professional nurses and paramedics will be set up along the route, along with eight physiotherapy stations managed by qualified physiotherapists and students.
These stations will address minor injuries and conditions like cramps, providing immediate care until an ambulance arrives if necessary.
At the finish venue, a comprehensive medical facility will be available, including critical care and laboratory facilities, staffed by approximately 75 doctors and 20 nurses.
There will also be an ICU-type resuscitation area for severe cases and a separate small medical facility at the finish line for immediate emergency care.
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has also organised 30 fifteen-seater, four thirty-five-seater, and 28 sixty-seater bailer buses to transport athletes who are unable to complete the race.
These buses, managed by 124 volunteers and 72 drivers, are equipped to provide assistance and ensure the safe transport of runners who need to withdraw from the race.
In a statement, CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo emphasised the extensive preparations made to ensure a memorable and hassle-free experience for all participants.
“We have catered in every possible way to make the 97th Comrades Marathon a memorable and hassle-free experience for our runners. We wish all participants a great run on Sunday, 9 June,” he said.