Comrades Marathon Association

• HISTORY

• Race established in 1921 by Vic Clapham

• No support or seconding for runners in the early days

• The Executive Committee formed in 1985

• A Board of Trustees was established in 1989 to oversee

the properties, history and traditions of the event

• The BOT/EXCO merged to form the CMA Board in 2009

Comrades Marathon Association

• OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING AND

LOGISTICS

• Strategic decision taken to restructure & professionalise

the CMA in 2004

• 12 full time staff employed headed up by GM

• Race Director manages Race Organising Committee

• Race attracts 18000 runners from 57 countries and

contributes over R500 million in economic impact to

KZN

Comrades Marathon Association

CMA BOARD

GENERAL MANAGER

RACE DIRECTOR STAFF

RACE ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Marketing Finance Media Internat Athlets Museum

STEERING COMMITTEES

START ROUTE FINISH EXPO VIPS

Comrades Marathon Association

• STRATEGIC GOALS AND VISION

• Our Vision is to be the biggest, the best and most

inclusive ultra-marathon in the World

• To continue to be a unifying event in SA and promote

social cohesion

• To strengthen the already strong relationship with

Provincial DSR and Athletics Federation

• To strengthen and expand our Indigent runners

program

Comrades Marathon Association

• STRATEGIC GOALS – continued

• To sustain the unique “Volunteerism aspect”

• To keep alive the Spirit of Comrades

• To increase our Corporate Social Initiatives

• FINANCIAL GOALS

• To strive for financially sustainability

• To maximise the commercial value of the event

• To increase government involvement at all levels

Comrades Marathon Association

• CMA CONSTITUTION

• CMA is a PBO which is constitutionally established and

exists by special dispensation in ASA and KZNA

• CMA is a member of KZNA and the Constitution was

amended to be in alignment with KZNA and ASA.

• Further amendments were made during 2012/2013 to

promote further Unity and Commonality

Comrades Marathon Association

• CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

• Adopted Corporate Governance Policy:

• To prohibit conflict of interests at all levels

• To adhere to the Policies and Procedures Manual

adopted by the Board

• To provide Annual Audited Financials

Comrades Marathon Association

• TRANSFORMATION

• An ongoing challenge for CMA as is the case for similar

entities

• Adopted a “Transformation Policy” which addresses:

• Equity and accessibility

• Representivity

• Democracy

• Capacity building

Comrades Marathon Association

• TRANSFORMATION

• Non-racism and Non-sexism

• Accountability

• Transparency

• Development

• Social Responsibility

Comrades Marathon Association

• DEVELOPMENT

• Joint venture projects with KZNA

• Indigent Runners Village

• Youth Run

• Edendale Race

• Endurocad

• Outdoor gym

• Semi- elite athlete support and development

Comrades Marathon Association

• CHALLENGES

• Sponsorship

• SABC TV Broadcast production quality

• Fiscal implications – CMA contributes R4,3million

• Government infrastructure and services assistance

Comrades Marathon AssociationAchievements and Recognition

• Guinness World Record - Biggest Ultra-marathon

• 2012 Virgin Active Sport Industry Award – Best “MASS

SPORT” participation event in South Africa

• AIMS Award for Africa’s Oldest Marathon and Ultra

Marathon

• 2013 Msunduzi Mayoral Tourism Award for “City

International Event”

• Host of the 20th AIMS World Congress in Durban –

June 2014 – first in AFRICA (350 international events)

Comrades Marathon Association

In conclusion

•Questions

•Thank you