/ 26 April 2007

Comrades Marathon raises ire of churches

Organisers of the Comrades Marathon have fielded a string of complaints as a result of the decision to hold the country’s premier marathon on a Sunday, the Mercury reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, more than 100 churches on the route will be affected by road closures as a result of the marathon.

It quoted Comrades Marathon Association manager Gary Boshoff as confirming that several churches would have to cancel their services on June 17 or reschedule them until after the race.

The race, which in recent years had been held on June 16, was changed to June 17 after numerous complaints were received that the race detracted from Youth Day celebrations.

After the complaints received in 2006, it was decided by race organisers to hold the race on Sundays.

In 2008 the race is scheduled to be held on June 15 and in 2009 it will be held on June 14.

The Mercury quoted the Anglican Bishop of KwaZulu-Natal Rubin Phillip as saying: ”In my view it has not been a prudent decision, knowing that this is a day when Christians get together in worship. It cuts right across that. We hope that the organisers will return to the original date (June 16) in the future.”

He told the Mercury the Anglican Church had not been consulted about the decision to hold the race on a Sunday.

The South African Council of Churches had also not been consulted about the decision, according to its general secretary, Eddie Makue. — Sapa