Just dropped in to wish everyone good luck on Sunday. Seem to be a lot of recidivists on here, back for more punishment! Have a great race, one and all.
PG3: I checked by phone and was told by their sales person that ultra WAS included. It says "marathons" and it says running (both sprinting and long distance" (and it says "triathlons") and no printed distance limits - and ultras are NOT included in the hazardous pursuits requiring extra premiums.
SS: too late now! I was thinking about them but I needed general holiday insurance as well - I don't have an annual policy as I get European travel cover by having a Nationwide bank account and rarely need more.
Just a massive thank you to all of you how post regularly on this forum. It has been an incredible source of useful info for me and I'm sure many others have also benefited. Not long to go now!
I fly on Thursday night, via JNB on the dreaded BA. Here's hoping there isn't another 'IT glitch', and will be heading straight to the expo from the aiport so that I can relax all day Saturday. I'm staying in Hillcrest and my brother in law is dropping me at the start, so please let me know if you'd like a lift and can make your way to 'Plantations Estate' on Sunday morning.
I'll be wearing a Pancreatic Cancer UK running top - please say hello if you pass me by on the course. Weather is crepping up 26 degrees and 55% humidity forecast for Sunday.
Sorting out my travel insurance too, looking at doodahdirect SS - annual global multi-trip £190, but I only have two trips planned this next year and singling them out it'll be £90 in total, question is - do I fancy anything more in the next year abroad... hmm...
> @jonathanmayne said: > Just a massive thank you to all of you how post regularly on this forum. It has been an incredible source of useful info for me and I'm sure many others have also benefited. Not long to go now! > > I fly on Thursday night, via JNB on the dreaded BA. Here's hoping there isn't another 'IT glitch', and will be heading straight to the expo from the aiport so that I can relax all day Saturday. I'm staying in Hillcrest and my brother in law is dropping me at the start, so please let me know if you'd like a lift and can make your way to 'Plantations Estate' on Sunday morning. >
Think I'm on that same flight! Was a bit concerned about the disruptions earlier in the week as well, fingers crossed it will be sorted by Thur. I'll stick on one of my old Comrades t-shirts so say hello if you see me (or one of the dozens of other people no doubt!).
Had a nice sunny outing for a local 5k this evening, ended up going a little bit faster than I'd hoped as you tend to get dragged along by people in a race.
Well these insureandgo boys are very cheap in comparison? Their annual budget policy is scarily cheap at £46 and includes everything Debra describes above, but I'll go for the next step up at £61 in case my accommodation goes up the spout, more cover for that option. The only annoying thing is it auto-renews unless you call them to stop it happening in a years time.
Hotels
Belaire Suites - Terry48, Running Rodent, Odeon1085, caashford, matt brooker,
Bike It, Debra Bourne, Mr Zuvai (till Fri), Dannirr
Hilton - seren nos, lambkin, lowrez, AndyLid
City Lodge - Becca7, Southern Snail, marty74, Slow Duck, Matt..
Elangeni & Maharani - Mango-Chillie
Out at Uhmlanga – Mac3, jkissane
Out at Hillcrest - jonathanmayne
Flights
Air France - Terry48, lowrez(arr.Fri13:15), AndyLid
Emirates - Becca7, Mr Zuvai, Debra Bourne(arr.Thu16:25.depMon), Running Rodent,
Southern Snail, caashford(arr.Thu16:25.depTue)
South African - marty74
BA - Mango-Chillie(Dep.May31), seren nos (arr.Thu.am), Slow Duck, jonathanmayne(dep.Thu.pm),
jkissane(dep.Thu.pm)
Lufthansa – Mac3(Arr.Thu.late morning)
14:30 Thursday International Comrades Ambassadors Shakedown Run start/finish:
the courtyard immediately behind the Durban Hilton, distance: 4km to 7km
Mr Zuvai
17:30 Thursday International Runners Meet and Greet (with Bruce Fordyce and
other revered Comrades Greats)
Venue: Rainbow Terrace, at the Durban Hilton Hotel. Cost: R200 at the door,
finger food included, buy your own drinks. Finishes at 20:00
Mr Zuvai, Slow duck 07:30 Friday Bus Tour starring the legendary Running Rodent, Dannirr, marty74
08:45 Friday Bus Tour - seren nos+Mr sn, Mr Zuvai, Southern Snail,
Mango-Chillie
09:30 Monday Mugg & Bean Breakfast Bash
Just turn up from 09:30 onwards; nothing overly formal it’s a café with a
wonderful menu with a heap of UKish Comrades runners descending upon it wearing
their UK T-Shirts or the Comrades goody bag one or indeed anything they damn
well please, group photo around 11:00 then go for a stroll on the beach front;
it’ll be good for your legs, even splash your toes in the Indian Ocean. Bruce’s
after party or Joe Cools is easily walkable or just hang at Mugg & Bean
etc…
caashford, Debra Bourne, Becca7, lowrez, matt brooker, Slow Duck, Southern
Snail, seren nos
12:30 Monday Bruce Fordyce After Party
California Dreaming Restaurant, 150 O R Tambo Parade, Dairy Beach, Durban,
12:30 till 17:00 R550 per person. A celebratory conclusion of the race relaxing
with athletes, family, friends and personalities sharing race highlights trials
and tribulations. Live entertainment, buffet lunch, cash bar
caashford, Mac3
pm Monday Joe Cools (upstairs) 137 O R Tambo Parade, Dairy Beach, Durban,
The alternate laid back after party, no entry fee, we are all celebs anyway
because we are Comrades runners, venue is on the beach front before you get to California
Dreaming if one is dragging one's aching bones down from the Mugg & Bean Breakfast
Bash jelly bean, Becca7, lowrez
John1946 - nice to hear from you and thanks for the message. I did the Jung Frau marathon (as you have done) last September as we discussed and it was an interesting/spectacular experience! I hope that your running goes well and we might see you next year!
@jkissane most certainly will look out for you! I'll be with the family, so if you see a middle aged man trying to control an 6 and a 8 year old - you know that's me!
I'll look out for becca7, lowrez, Southern Snail, seren nos, Mr Zuvai in Pen C. Aiming to be in the pen by around 5.00am.
Safe travels everyone, I arrived yesterday and the weather is lovely. A little cooler than usual but with blue skies.
I am in Pen C and staying in Umhlanga. Will join the breakfast I think on the Monday, if its not too late. Agree with Slowduck about the Joe Cools but it has been ok in the past.
Hotels
Belaire Suites - Terry48, Running Rodent, Odeon1085, caashford, matt brooker,
Bike It, Debra Bourne, Mr Zuvai (till Fri), Dannirr
Hilton - seren nos, lambkin, lowrez, AndyLid
City Lodge - Becca7, Southern Snail, marty74, Slow Duck, Matt..
Elangeni & Maharani - Mango-Chillie
Out at Uhmlanga – Mac3, jkissane, Peter R
Out at Hillcrest - jonathanmayne
Flights
Air France - Terry48, lowrez(arr.Fri13:15), AndyLid
Emirates - Becca7, Mr Zuvai, Debra Bourne(arr.Thu16:25.depMon), Running Rodent,
Southern Snail, caashford(arr.Thu16:25.depTue)
South African - marty74
BA - Mango-Chillie(Dep.May31), seren nos (arr.Thu.am), Slow Duck,
jonathanmayne(dep.Thu.pm), jkissane(dep.Thu.pm)
Lufthansa – Mac3(Arr.Thu.late morning)
14:30 Thursday International Comrades Ambassadors Shakedown Run start/finish:
the courtyard immediately behind the Durban Hilton, distance: 4km to 7km
Mr Zuvai
17:30 Thursday International Runners Meet and Greet (with Bruce Fordyce and
other revered Comrades Greats)
Venue: Rainbow Terrace, at the Durban Hilton Hotel. Cost: R200 at the door,
finger food included, buy your own drinks. Finishes at 20:00
Mr Zuvai, Slow duck 07:30 Friday Bus Tour starring the legendary Running Rodent, Dannirr,
marty74
08:45 Friday Bus Tour - seren nos+Mr sn, Mr Zuvai, Southern Snail,
Mango-Chillie
09:30 Monday Mugg & Bean Breakfast Bash
Just turn up from 09:30 onwards; nothing overly formal it’s a café with a
wonderful menu with a heap of UKish Comrades runners descending upon it wearing
their UK T-Shirts or the Comrades goody bag one or indeed anything they damn
well please, group photo around 11:00 then go for a stroll on the beach front;
it’ll be good for your legs, even splash your toes in the Indian Ocean. Bruce’s
after party or Joe Cools is easily walkable or just hang at Mugg & Bean
etc…
caashford, Debra Bourne, Becca7, lowrez, matt brooker, Slow Duck, Southern
Snail, seren nos, Peter R
12:30 Monday Bruce Fordyce After Party
California Dreaming Restaurant, 150 O R Tambo Parade, Dairy Beach, Durban,
12:30 till 17:00 R550 per person. A celebratory conclusion of the race relaxing
with athletes, family, friends and personalities sharing race highlights trials
and tribulations. Live entertainment, buffet lunch, cash bar
caashford, Mac3
pm Monday Joe Cools (upstairs) 137 O R Tambo Parade, Dairy Beach, Durban,
The alternate laid back after party, no entry fee, we are all celebs anyway
because we are Comrades runners, venue is on the beach front before you get to
California Dreaming if one is dragging one's aching bones down from the Mugg
& Bean Breakfast Bash
jelly bean, Becca7, lowrez
I'm heading to the plane this evening to fly from Birmingham to Dubai, and then onward to Durban on the Thursday 1st June, 10:00 DXB - 16:25 DUR flight, so I will hopefully see most of you at Dubai desk. I will probably be wearing my black BRAT hoodie with Comrades cap hanging of my bag - if you see me come and say hi - although apologies in advance if I am a bit grumpy as I will have just flown all the way through the night;-)
Running Rodent - You and I are both flying in on Emirates and staying in Belaire so I will try and meet you before getting the bus to the suite.
Debra and Terry48 - We are all staying in Belaire Suites and up for Spiga, so taxi at 18:30 from reception on Friday? Might need two will all Terry48's entourage;-)
Joe Kools sounds good for Monday too, and I can come along after the Bruce Foredyce afterparty if not too knackered. I have a late flight on Tuesday so will definitely be up for the beers on Monday! "House of Curries" and "Butcher Boys" have also been mentioned for bunny chow and steaks, but i will probably save that for Tuesday lunch!
> @jonathanmayne said: > @jkissane most certainly will look out for you! I'll be with the family, so if you see a middle aged man trying to control an 6 and a 8 year old - you know that's me! >
Will do!
That's a great idea btw to go straight to the expo, think I'll take the shuttle bus from the airport to the Hilton on Fri & then stroll to the expo from there. Will figure out how to make it to Umhlanga (where I'm staying afterwards), hopefully there will be taxis in operation.
caashford: Terry has a hire car and will very kindly be providing taxi service for me and his +2!
Yes, I'll be on that flight from Dubai. Would have had my Comrades cap but I've lost it somewhere (hopefully mislaid at home) - will try to pin the patch onto me somewhere! My hand luggage is a wheeled backpack, mostly black but with part in a white/dark pink pattern (at least it's recognisable). White parkrun book T-shirt but that might be covered by my multi-pocket vest.
Might see you before Dubai in Birmingham, caashford, same as last year. Safe travels everyone. Think I've met a lot of you before but anyway will have a grey hoody with a Comrades 90th patch sewn on.
safe travels to everyone. Just been for walk along beachfront us beer, lovely!!! For the parkrun will be wearing white officeworx t shirt with paperclips, chairs printed on it together with the patch on the front.
Comments
I fly on Thursday night, via JNB on the dreaded BA. Here's hoping there isn't another 'IT glitch', and will be heading straight to the expo from the aiport so that I can relax all day Saturday. I'm staying in Hillcrest and my brother in law is dropping me at the start, so please let me know if you'd like a lift and can make your way to 'Plantations Estate' on Sunday morning.
I'll be wearing a Pancreatic Cancer UK running top - please say hello if you pass me by on the course. Weather is crepping up 26 degrees and 55% humidity forecast for Sunday.
> Just a massive thank you to all of you how post regularly on this forum. It has been an incredible source of useful info for me and I'm sure many others have also benefited. Not long to go now!
>
> I fly on Thursday night, via JNB on the dreaded BA. Here's hoping there isn't another 'IT glitch', and will be heading straight to the expo from the aiport so that I can relax all day Saturday. I'm staying in Hillcrest and my brother in law is dropping me at the start, so please let me know if you'd like a lift and can make your way to 'Plantations Estate' on Sunday morning.
>
Think I'm on that same flight! Was a bit concerned about the disruptions earlier in the week as well, fingers crossed it will be sorted by Thur. I'll stick on one of my old Comrades t-shirts so say hello if you see me (or one of the dozens of other people no doubt!).
Had a nice sunny outing for a local 5k this evening, ended up going a little bit faster than I'd hoped as you tend to get dragged along by people in a race.
Hotels
Mr ZuvaiBelaire Suites - Terry48, Running Rodent, Odeon1085, caashford, matt brooker, Bike It, Debra Bourne, Mr Zuvai (till Fri), Dannirr
Hilton - seren nos, lambkin, lowrez, AndyLid
City Lodge - Becca7, Southern Snail, marty74, Slow Duck, Matt..
Elangeni & Maharani - Mango-Chillie
Out at Uhmlanga – Mac3, jkissane
Out at Hillcrest - jonathanmayne
Flights
Air France - Terry48, lowrez(arr.Fri13:15), AndyLid
Emirates - Becca7, Mr Zuvai, Debra Bourne(arr.Thu16:25.depMon), Running Rodent, Southern Snail, caashford(arr.Thu16:25.depTue)
South African - marty74
BA - Mango-Chillie(Dep.May31), seren nos (arr.Thu.am), Slow Duck, jonathanmayne(dep.Thu.pm), jkissane(dep.Thu.pm)
Lufthansa – Mac3(Arr.Thu.late morning)
14:30 Thursday International Comrades Ambassadors Shakedown Run start/finish: the courtyard immediately behind the Durban Hilton, distance: 4km to 7km
17:30 Thursday International Runners Meet and Greet (with Bruce Fordyce and other revered Comrades Greats)
Venue: Rainbow Terrace, at the Durban Hilton Hotel. Cost: R200 at the door, finger food included, buy your own drinks. Finishes at 20:00
Mr Zuvai, Slow duck
07:30 Friday Bus Tour starring the legendary Running Rodent, Dannirr, marty74
08:45 Friday Bus Tour - seren nos+Mr sn, Mr Zuvai, Southern Snail, Mango-Chillie
18:45 Friday Spiga - Mac3+1, Southern Snail+1, seren nos+1, Debra Bourne, caashford, Terry48(+2possibles)
07:30 Saturday Bus Tour – lowrez
08:00 Saturday North Beach and Mugg & Bean afterwards
Debra Bourne, caashford, Southern Snail+Mr SS, Becca7, Matt.., Dannirr, seren nos+Mr sn, Running Rodent, marty74+friend, matt brooker, Terry48, Mr Zuvai, Mango-Chillie, Mac3, Slow Duck, AndyLid+daughter, jkissane
05:30 Sunday Comrades
PenA - WarrenK78, caashford, Odeon1085
PenB - Matt.., Mac3, marty74, Peter R, AndyLid, jkissane
PenC - becca7, lowrez, Southern Snail, seren nos, Mr Zuvai
PenD - Debra Bourne, Mango-Chillie
PenG - Mango-Chillie, Slow Duck, Running Rodent
09:30 Monday Mugg & Bean Breakfast Bash
Just turn up from 09:30 onwards; nothing overly formal it’s a café with a wonderful menu with a heap of UKish Comrades runners descending upon it wearing their UK T-Shirts or the Comrades goody bag one or indeed anything they damn well please, group photo around 11:00 then go for a stroll on the beach front; it’ll be good for your legs, even splash your toes in the Indian Ocean. Bruce’s after party or Joe Cools is easily walkable or just hang at Mugg & Bean etc…
caashford, Debra Bourne, Becca7, lowrez, matt brooker, Slow Duck, Southern Snail, seren nos
12:30 Monday Bruce Fordyce After Party
California Dreaming Restaurant, 150 O R Tambo Parade, Dairy Beach, Durban,
12:30 till 17:00 R550 per person. A celebratory conclusion of the race relaxing with athletes, family, friends and personalities sharing race highlights trials and tribulations. Live entertainment, buffet lunch, cash bar
caashford, Mac3
pm Monday Joe Cools (upstairs) 137 O R Tambo Parade, Dairy Beach, Durban,
The alternate laid back after party, no entry fee, we are all celebs anyway because we are Comrades runners, venue is on the beach front before you get to California Dreaming if one is dragging one's aching bones down from the Mugg & Bean Breakfast Bash
jelly bean, Becca7, lowrez
The nice thing is that people tend to drop in to see if there's anyone they know to have a beer with...
Safe travels everyone and see you in Durban.
I'll look out for becca7, lowrez, Southern Snail, seren nos, Mr Zuvai in Pen C. Aiming to be in the pen by around 5.00am.
Safe travels everyone, I arrived yesterday and the weather is lovely. A little cooler than usual but with blue skies.
I am in Pen C and staying in Umhlanga. Will join the breakfast I think on the Monday, if its not too late. Agree with Slowduck about the Joe Cools but it has been ok in the past.
Belaire Suites - Terry48, Running Rodent, Odeon1085, caashford, matt brooker, Bike It, Debra Bourne, Mr Zuvai (till Fri), Dannirr
Hilton - seren nos, lambkin, lowrez, AndyLid
City Lodge - Becca7, Southern Snail, marty74, Slow Duck, Matt..
Elangeni & Maharani - Mango-Chillie
Out at Uhmlanga – Mac3, jkissane, Peter R
Out at Hillcrest - jonathanmayne
Flights
Air France - Terry48, lowrez(arr.Fri13:15), AndyLid
Emirates - Becca7, Mr Zuvai, Debra Bourne(arr.Thu16:25.depMon), Running Rodent, Southern Snail, caashford(arr.Thu16:25.depTue)
South African - marty74
BA - Mango-Chillie(Dep.May31), seren nos (arr.Thu.am), Slow Duck, jonathanmayne(dep.Thu.pm), jkissane(dep.Thu.pm)
Lufthansa – Mac3(Arr.Thu.late morning)
14:30 Thursday International Comrades Ambassadors Shakedown Run start/finish: the courtyard immediately behind the Durban Hilton, distance: 4km to 7km
Mr Zuvai
17:30 Thursday International Runners Meet and Greet (with Bruce Fordyce and other revered Comrades Greats)
Venue: Rainbow Terrace, at the Durban Hilton Hotel. Cost: R200 at the door, finger food included, buy your own drinks. Finishes at 20:00
Mr Zuvai, Slow duck
07:30 Friday Bus Tour starring the legendary Running Rodent, Dannirr, marty74
08:45 Friday Bus Tour - seren nos+Mr sn, Mr Zuvai, Southern Snail, Mango-Chillie
18:45 Friday Spiga - Mac3+1, Southern Snail+1, seren nos+1, Debra Bourne, caashford, Terry48(+2possibles)
07:30 Saturday Bus Tour – lowrez
08:00 Saturday North Beach and Mugg & Bean afterwards
Debra Bourne, caashford, Southern Snail+Mr SS, Becca7, Matt.., Dannirr, seren nos+Mr sn, Running Rodent, marty74+friend, matt brooker, Terry48, Mr Zuvai, Mango-Chillie, Mac3, Slow Duck, AndyLid+daughter, jkissane
05:30 Sunday Comrades
PenA - WarrenK78, caashford, Odeon1085
PenB - Matt.., Mac3, marty74, AndyLid, jkissane
PenC - becca7, lowrez, Southern Snail, seren nos, Mr Zuvai, Peter R, jonathanmayne
PenD - Debra Bourne, Mango-Chillie
PenG - Mango-Chillie, Slow Duck, Running Rodent
09:30 Monday Mugg & Bean Breakfast Bash
Just turn up from 09:30 onwards; nothing overly formal it’s a café with a wonderful menu with a heap of UKish Comrades runners descending upon it wearing their UK T-Shirts or the Comrades goody bag one or indeed anything they damn well please, group photo around 11:00 then go for a stroll on the beach front; it’ll be good for your legs, even splash your toes in the Indian Ocean. Bruce’s after party or Joe Cools is easily walkable or just hang at Mugg & Bean etc…
caashford, Debra Bourne, Becca7, lowrez, matt brooker, Slow Duck, Southern Snail, seren nos, Peter R
12:30 Monday Bruce Fordyce After Party
California Dreaming Restaurant, 150 O R Tambo Parade, Dairy Beach, Durban,
12:30 till 17:00 R550 per person. A celebratory conclusion of the race relaxing with athletes, family, friends and personalities sharing race highlights trials and tribulations. Live entertainment, buffet lunch, cash bar
caashford, Mac3
pm Monday Joe Cools (upstairs) 137 O R Tambo Parade, Dairy Beach, Durban,
The alternate laid back after party, no entry fee, we are all celebs anyway because we are Comrades runners, venue is on the beach front before you get to California Dreaming if one is dragging one's aching bones down from the Mugg & Bean Breakfast Bash
jelly bean, Becca7, lowrez
18:45 Friday Spiga - Mac3+1, Southern Snail+1, seren nos+1, Debra Bourne, caashford, Terry48(+2) [11]
Safe travels to all........:-)
Running Rodent - You and I are both flying in on Emirates and staying in Belaire so I will try and meet you before getting the bus to the suite.
Debra and Terry48 - We are all staying in Belaire Suites and up for Spiga, so taxi at 18:30 from reception on Friday? Might need two will all Terry48's entourage;-)
Joe Kools sounds good for Monday too, and I can come along after the Bruce Foredyce afterparty if not too knackered.
I have a late flight on Tuesday so will definitely be up for the beers on Monday! "House of Curries" and "Butcher Boys" have also been mentioned for bunny chow and steaks, but i will probably save that for Tuesday lunch!
See you all in Dubai or Durban!
> @jkissane most certainly will look out for you! I'll be with the family, so if you see a middle aged man trying to control an 6 and a 8 year old - you know that's me!
>
Will do!
That's a great idea btw to go straight to the expo, think I'll take the shuttle bus from the airport to the Hilton on Fri & then stroll to the expo from there. Will figure out how to make it to Umhlanga (where I'm staying afterwards), hopefully there will be taxis in operation.
Yes, I'll be on that flight from Dubai. Would have had my Comrades cap but I've lost it somewhere (hopefully mislaid at home) - will try to pin the patch onto me somewhere! My hand luggage is a wheeled backpack, mostly black but with part in a white/dark pink pattern (at least it's recognisable). White parkrun book T-shirt but that might be covered by my multi-pocket vest.