Who Fancies Comrades 2010?

Dubai Dave

Direct from Dubai that is: Emirates

[Deleted User]

hi all, i am planning to boston marathon next year. but i am having abit of trouble finding the best deals to go to boston and stay in a hotel...... plus i have not entered the race as i type this massage.

i would be greatful for your help with information.

thanks in advance

Slow Duck

Trinity

You've got to run Comrades - I just bought my 2010 diary and was putting Comrades into it and noticed that 30 May is Trinity Sunday!

SD

[Deleted User]

OMG!!! That is sooooo spooky! Thanks SD!!

I will be running Comrades 2010.

[Deleted User]

As a comrades 'virgin' I guess we have until Nov 1st before we can enter.  I'm not concerned I can do the actual race (well, yes, I am ), but of more concern is fitting in the training. 

Nice to see there are some other nutters out there though.  Strangely reassuring... 

[Deleted User]

Hello H Yep, the usual suspects are loitering in here

Nov 1st is engraved on my brain and I have been researching flights and accomodation

[Deleted User]

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Keith L

Mr Guinness - this is aComrades marathon thread - have you tried setting one up for Boston 2010? You might get more luck there.

[Deleted User]

I am just concerned about being able to enter Comrades early enough on the morning of the 1st Nov, as am doing the NY marathon on that day. Don't want to enter after I have run the marathon incase I have second thoughts on the day - I am sure I will still want to do Comrades after a few days have elapsed

jelly bean

Good morning all,

I'm interested in having a crack at this, got my qualifyer at Amsterdam, it's now a case of working out what it will all cost....and not just financially.

 Has anyone used the travel packages on the Comrades Website?  Also, what are the best deals on return flights from London-Jo'burg and how soon do you have to book them?

 Hello Trin, glad to see the injuries are behind you now.

Dubai Dave

JB: have a look at emirates prices, London - Dubai - Durban their often cheaper than going direct.

Dubai Dave

13935 entries as of this morning with 5 days to go, i'm guessing they will get the 15,000 entries before opening to novices.

[Deleted User]

jelly bean... I wish!

It's a long story though

It'd be great to see you in SA

Keith L

Yep despite what I thought a week ago it certainly looks like the 15,000 or as near as spit will be hit come teh 31st Oct - leaving just 5,000 places for us newbies to fight over

jelly bean

-Thanks for that DD.

Entry for first timers opens on Sunday but I won't be able to get to a pc until Monday evening.  I was thinking 5000 places probably wouldn't sell out by then?

Trin, have you taken a look at the travel package on the Comrades site?  If so what do you think?

Slow Duck

15000! Entries closed for previous runners now.

Good luck first time runners on 1 Nov!

SD

Keith L

No idea how fast the 5,000 places will go - these things have a habbit of running away with themselves. Its not many places for firstimers

martin 35716

Jelly bean, Ive made contact with the official tour guide, and also been to a travel agent. Looks like booking here in the UK will be cheaper, only concern will be where is the Hotel? So am going to ask them. Also hopeing the regulars on this thread can help us "virgins" out

Dubai Dave

Obviously accommodation is going to be at a premium, try looking outside of Durban, there are a lot hotels out at Umlangha which is about 30 mins out of town and probably safer than down town Durban.

Its possibly to arrange taxi's from hotels to the start even with a 0300 departure! 

Keith L

I'm in - not sure whether to be excited or terrified!

Perhaps a bit of both

Bring it on

Dubai Dave

Keith: terrified its the only way to be! Seriously you will have a ball, enjoy the ride

martin 35716

Im in to. Even pressing the button my heart was going like a tough "tempo" run, But thats it flights to sort next week. It would be good to keep in touch and maybe even meet at Airports hotels. Lookong at Wed-Mon out of Manachester and staying Durban end

[Deleted User]

I'm in too

jellybean... I think it seems quite expensive going with the tour guide, not sure what I'm going to do yet though

[Deleted User]

Hotel booked... I'm in the Hilton

booked through Booking.com I got a King room for 5 nights at 6200 R (about £490)

Keith L

Dubai Dave wrote (see)

Keith: terrified its the only way to be! Seriously you will have a ball, enjoy the ride

Sure will do - but am a bit daunted at the moment at the task taken on - still will take it in small bites and see how I go

Trinity_ wrote (see)

Hotel booked... I'm in the Hilton

booked through Booking.com I got a King room for 5 nights at 6200 R (about £490)

Seems a very good deal there. Are the transfers to the start and stuff (teh security blanket of a tour group) fairly easy to self organise?

Was thinking of going on the Wednesday or Tuesday and coming back on the Monday.

[Deleted User]

I've booked my flights now... leaving UK 26th, arriving Durban 27th, leaving Durban 1st, arrive London 2nd June. Flying with Emirates via Dubai £571... ouch, but can't find it too much cheaper for convenient flights.

I had a budget of £1100 saved so I'm within that.

According to a friend on Fetch who has run it quite a few times it seems that transfers are easy to book seperately

Keith L

Thanks - was just looking at those identical flights - slight concern is the extra 4 hours or so going via Dubai takes....

So its either those flights for BA to Jo'burg and then a connecting flight at around £830 - so is 4 hours worth £260....

Think the Expo os at the hilton Convention centre.... 

Keith L

Trinity

Can only see flights via Dubai with an overnight stop over in Dubai on way over....did you find something different?

Keith

[Deleted User]

Keith, I have booked flight number EK002 and EK775

Times are

leave Wed 26 May 10 14:15 London Heathrow Airport
arrive Thu 27 May 10 00:05 Dubai International Airport Connection
leave Thu 27 May 10 10:25 Dubai International Airport
arrive Thu 27 May 10 17:10 Durban International Airport

So there is some time between flights but I don't think it needs an overnight stay. I've spent longer at airports between flights before

Keith L

Thanks for that - I was looking at a flight that landed at about 10pm and one inthe morning that took off at about 10 as well so deffo an overnighter - which to be honest considering the way I sleep on planes wouldnt be a disaster.