Comrades provides R600m boost for KZN economy

THE KwaZulu-Natal economy received a boost of over R600 million, all spinning off Sunday's running of the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon, which was said to have attracted around 20000 runners.

- MERVYN NAIDOO

Much of that spend would have landed in Durban coffers as this year’s Comrades ‘down run finished at city’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

It has been good recent goings for Durban in terms of earning from big events.

Media reports have indicated that the Africa Travel Indaba netted the city around R570m, and the Nedbank Cup final between Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, also in May, scored revenue of nearly R100 million for Durban.

Last week’s Isuzu Ironman 70.3 Durban event and the shoals of sardines that beached on the city’s shores, attractions in their own right, would have also produced some nice nibbles for the local economy.

Currently, Gold Circle's Champions Season, which attracts some of the country’s top thoroughbred horses to racing events, is in full gallop.

The Champion Seasons’ main offering, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, a horserace that always produces a massive injection of earnings for local hospitality and tourism operators, as well as other related industries, is scheduled for July 5.