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Starring Peter R...
Indeed, it's a big chunk of money and places are disappearing fast so it's a shame for anyone who needs to wait for payday.
My thinking is as suggested just to book the Hilton for 4 days over the race date and then organise myself on the ground as regards what to do after the race. Hopefully I can meet some of you before/after and get your insights !
My only other question is given the lack of time difference does anyone see any issue with arriving early morning on the 7th and just taking it very easy for 48 hours pre race as opposed to getting there 3/4/5 days early?
Thomas, I usually arrive Friday, morning would be nice, but delays can creep in to best laid plans; in 2017 I missed the Friday Expo completely and went Saturday afternoon, this year I got to it 23 minutes before it closed on the Friday but being an oldish hand at this now was in and out collecting everything I needed and having a good old chat to the staff as I nonchalantly cruised through. Don't stand in the long queue trailing out of the building - you are an International runner - there is a separate section of the desk for us, usually top left, usually pretty short or no queue, so walk past the long line and go in to the building.
Its good to do the course tour - well is it for a newbie - do you want to see those hills first hand before you run them? I intended to but slept in and missed the tour on my first run. Arriving Friday means your only option is the Saturday tour which conveniently kicks off from outside the Hilton at 7:00am. Note though that you will miss hanging and relaxing with all the other cool kids if you do this, they tend to arrive earlier and do the Friday tour which allows them to do the Durban Parkrun Saturday morning and then loll on the beach or go to the cinema etc. The tour gets back at about 2:00pm and lunch is included.
Its good advice to stay off your feet but the tour is not much of an impact, I really enjoy having something engaging to do and always have a great laugh with a coach full of other worried runners and there is actually lots to see, PM museum, wall of honour, you actually drive 99% of the route that will be run, and you get to sit down a lot on the coach which gently massages your frame as it winds and climbs and bobbles along the route.
We also generally manage to have some evening pasta on the Friday, but I have never attended due to arriving later than expected each time.
Monday morning breakfast at Mugg and Bean is a nice relaxed affair, lots of Brits (and others) descend on that and our Comrades Ambassador arranges a group photo. I usually fly back that afternoon. I have got into the habit of strolling down the waterfront - a mile or so which is really nice to stretch the legs - and many of us drop in to Joe Cools for "light refreshments" including lunch.
Regarding the starting grid - you are placed there depending on your marathon qualifying time - the race is gun-to-gun so time spent waiting to get over the start line is burning away to your disadvantage - if you are slowish - like me - you can save vital minutes by collecting 6,000 Rand or more for charity and you get boosted up the grid - this may only save you seconds, but as a serial 11:5x finisher I may never have had any medals at all if it was not for this fortunate boost.
TCP - I’m enjoying the anxiety - so early on, you’re getting into the swing of things fast!
It couldn't be more of an African experience.
TCP, glad you've been able to confirm your entry.