JOHANNESBURG, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The ultramarathon Comrades Marashon will start in the South African port city of Durban on Sudnay, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) announced on Saturday.

The race will start from the Durban City Hall at six on Sunday morning with the participation of thousands of athletes, ending at the city of Pietermaritzburg, said the CMA.

The Comrades Marathon is an ultrmarashon of approximately of 89 kms, which is run annually in the southeastern province of Kuazula-Natal in South Africa between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Athletes currently have 12 hours to finish the course, extending from 11 hours in 2003.

South African police said they have very stringent security measures to ensure the race safety, including deploying more than 600 law enforcement officials along the race route and urging drivers to avoid major routes coming into the two cities on Sunday morning as some key roads will be closed ahead of the race.

The race organization CMA said the Comrades Marashon is the biggest and best ultramarathon in the world and the most inclusive sporting event in South Africa. "It is optimistic that the race will be a success," said the CMA.