eThekwini ready to welcome Comrades runners as KZN SAPS assures safety
eThekwini Municipality says it's all systems go for the Comrades Marathon event taking place on Sunday.
The City says it's ready to welcome and host about 18 000 runners who'll be taking part in the 96th edition of the race.
It will start at Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finish at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.
The City has projected a direct spend of R237 million with an injection R417 million into the GDP.
It estimated 790 jobs to be created from the event.
"We are also happy that millions of people will be watching the race on various television channels from all over the world as participants in the race come from 80 countries. This positions Durban alongside other world-class cities known for hosting prestigious sporting events," said eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
Meanwhile, police in KwaZulu-Natal say they have put measures in place to ensure that the province delivers an incident-free Comrades.
Provincial police commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, says more than 3 000 safety personnel will be on the ground.
"No level of lawlessness will be tolerated, and those who attempt to test the might of law enforcement agencies and the authority of the state will be met with the strict application of the law."
