COMRADES MARATHON MEDIA RELEASE NO. 2005/30

COMRADES
PROGRAMME
The Comrades Marathon Association are to celebrate their 80th anniversary in a grand
style with a week of festivities from 10 to 17 June 2005.

Some of the leading sports personalities - national and international - plus those who have inspired many
millions in their hour of need are expected to grace the occasion.

Cheryl Winn, Acting CEO of the Comrades Marathon Association, revealed early today that the likes of Bruce
Fordyce, who has won the world famous ultra-marathon a record eight times, Bruce Walsh, one of the
victims of the Planet Hollywood bombing some years ago, and Bernard Swanepoel, CEO of Harmony Gold
will be part of the glittering affair ahead of the June 16.

"It's going to be an awesome week ahead of the Comrades this year. The 80th anniversary race has
inspired us at Comrades House to add a few exciting innovations to the programme for 2005," Winn said
today.

"The 80th anniversary celebrations will start with a civic reception in Pietermaritzburg at which we will be
officially launching the Forgotten Comrades Exhibition at the Comrades Marathon Museum with the
unveiling of the Robert Mtshali bronze memorial. Robert Mtshali was the first black man to "unofficially"
complete the Comrades Marathon in 1935 and the Forgotten Comrades Exhibition will be dedicated to all
the men and women who competed in the race "unofficially" prior to 1975 when the race was opened to
both sexes and all races."

Winn also revealed further events leading up to the day of the race from outside Pietermaritzburg City Hall to
Durban's Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead on 16 June.

The programme has been planned to include participation of all South Africans and international visitors to
eThekweni during the week of 10 to 17 June 2005.

On Sunday, 12 June CMA expects thousands of fun runners to participate in the popular Pick 'n Pay
Friendship Run which will start and finish at Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead. A 5km Wheelchair Race will
precede the Pick ‘n Pay Friendship Run.

The Flora Comrades Experience which will be held over four days for the first time - it's normally held three
days before the race - will officially open its doors at the Durban Exhibition Centre also on June 12 and will
close on June 15.

Then there's a Comrades Gala celebration at the ICC on June 13 at which Fordyce will be the master of
ceremonies. The gala celebration will pay tribute to the heritage and the heroes of the Comrades Marathon.

Another first is the Bonitas Comrades Men's Mile and the SABC TV2 Comrades Women's Mile on the
streets of Durban. It will be run along NMR Avenue and will finish at Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead.

The final item on the programme is the Sponsor's Amabeadibeadi Relay Challenge.

With race day being 16 June - the only interest will be the runners and the thousands of people lining the
streets from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

But there will be more a day after, as the official prize-giving celebration will bring an end to the 2005 80th
anniversary Comrades celebration. The prize-giving and after-party will take place at Ushaka Marine World
on 17 June from 09h00.

"We believe the week of festivities will attract huge crowds - the Flora Comrades Exhibition is going to be
stunning this year as we're bringing in a whole lot of new things. We are hoping to attract the young, the old
and families to our festivities," Winn said.

"The Street Miles are going to be major attractions as we are negotiating with the top athletes in the country
while the wheelchair race will undoubtedly draw the attention of all and sundry.

"We want everyone to participate, hence we've carefully planned the programme to include something for
everyone."

Statement Release on Wednesday, 18 May 2005
For further information     Comrades Marathon Association
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