Coronavirus: 'Premature' to postpone Comrades Marathon

The Comrades Marathon Association's Board met last night to discuss the coronavirus outbreak.

The meeting followed Sunday's announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa - of the plan of action to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The board says it will review the situation by 17 April and advise athletes and stakeholders on the way forward.

It says it will be guided by Athletics South Africa and KZN Athletics. 

CMA Chairperson, Cheryl Winn says: "With nearly three months to go to #Comrades2020, the CMA Board has decided that it is premature to postpone this year's Comrades Marathon."

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"We will, however, continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will make a decision by April 17th depending upon how the situation evolves on whether to postpone #Comrades2020 to a date later in the year."

"We will make announcements and issue updates on an ongoing basis. As the CMA Board, we have to consider the best interest and well-being of our athletes, supporters, spectators, volunteers and the public."

"With 282 successful Substitution applications having been processed since opening of the 2020 Substitution period yesterday, we urge all Comrades runners to continue with their training preparations for the 95th edition of the Ultimate Human Race."

Listen below: 

The 2020 Marathon is scheduled to take place on 14 June. 

Some of the major sporting events in the country have either been cancelled or postponed.

On Sunday, the organisers of the Two Oceans Marathon announced that this year's edition of the race had been cancelled.

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