There is only 16 more weeks to go until the 86th running of The Ultimate Human Race. The Comrades Marathon has gained a lot of national and international momentum over the years with new runners coming in their numbers to register for the mammoth race. This year is no different, the 2011 race has received well over the cap of 18,000 entries and a large number of the entrants are first time runners.

In light of this, the Comrades Marathon in conjunction with Bonitas Medical Fund has embarked on a project aimed at educating novices about the do’s and don’ts of the race.

The Bonitas Comrades Novice Project kicked off in November 2010. The project is an internet based initiative aimed at encouraging and empowering novices with the scientific and technical support they require to achieve their goal of conquering the Comrades Marathon. At the touch of a button, runners can access a wealth of information and advice from the official Comrades Coach, Lindsey Parry as well as other experts dealing with a wide range of relevant subjects. To subscribe to the Bonitas Comrades Novice Project please visit www.runnersworld.co.za/comrades.

As part of the Bonitas Comrades Novice Project, the Comrades Marathon will be presenting five Bonitas Comrades Novice Seminars kicking off later this month. These seminars are an invaluable source of information for first-time Comrades runners. The following topics will be covered:

• The importance of recovery;
• Nutrition;
• Qualifying;
• The final long run;
• Tapering;
• Race Day: Getting to the start, the profile, strategy.

Leading sport scientist and the official Comrades Coach, Lindsey Parry and guest speakers such as the legendary Bruce Fordyce will point runners in the right direction. These seminars will allow novices to ask questions and interact with the various running experts. We will have fitness experts on hand to advise novices about how to prepare themselves for peak performance. We urge all first time runners to attend these seminars which will be hosted in five different venues around the country.

These seminars are open to everyone and are free of charge.

Novice Roadshow Dates and Venues:

Date Host Club Venue Time
22 February 2011 Sunninghill Striders Running Club The Auditorium, Eskom Megawatt Park. 19h00
23 February 2011
Boksburg Athletic Club Club Room 2, Boksburg City Stadium. 19h00
1 March 2011 SCSIS VOB Running Club The Alphen Centre, Main Road, Constantia, Cape Town 19h00
5 March 2011 Nedbank Head Office Nedbank Head Office, 90 Ordnance Road, Durban 09h00
8 March 2011 L.C de VIlliers Sports Grounds Pretoria University Sport Centre – Lecture hall 1 ; South Street, Hatfield, Pretoria 19h00