So the whole family is going to KwaZulu Natal for the weekend because mom, dad, or aunty Sally is doing the Comrades.... this year is a down run so the 89kms of running is from Pietermaritzburg to Durban!

I moved to Pietermaritzburg six months ago so just about know my way around well enough to tell you the best spots to go to and how not to get lost...and getting lost is easy if you ask a local for directions; after street names changed a few years ago, not all locals started calling Longmarket street Langalibalele street (it's quite a tongue twister if Zulu is not your first language) Chapel street is still Chapel street for many so they won't be able to tell you where Peter Kerchhoff street is!

Pietermaritzburg is laid out on a grid system, as the town planning was done by the Voortrekkers in the late 1830s, which means almost all the streets in the city are one ways.

Just be aware that if you miss what you are looking for, you generally land up driving around the block to try again!

So, your best bet is, get to the Pietermaritzburg tourism office in Chief Albert Luthuli Street, (used to be Commercial Road, but there still are a few signs that say Commercial) and get a map.

Ask for their Mini Guide.

The tourism office is right next to the City Hall building which marks the start of the race, so it is a good place for you to check out, get your bearings and make a plan for where you might park or do a drop off for the start of the race, as it will be dark at 5am and there will be crowds for sure.

Advice for supporters:

Download and print out the route map here.

We can always find time to have a snack. Photo: Maryann Shaw

Jane Dickinson, Manager of Run Walk for Life's Hilton branch, suggested a good spot for supporters to stop and wave at their weary loved-ones.

She did the Millennium Comrades which was the year they switched the cut off to 12 hours, making Comrades more accessible and swelling the number of entries. Last year there were over 11 000 starters, and 8630 of the runners finished the race.

The start is at 5.30am, so it might be best to drop your runner off at the City Hall start point and head out onto the N3 towards Durban.

Run Walk for life Pietermaritzburg and Hilton are setting up a supporters stand at a spot just before Harrison flats, where runners would have completed 30kms and be really starting to need a friendly face to keep them going.

For people who will finish in 10-11 hours, they will probably reach this point no earlier than 9am...but if you print out the route map, it shows you clearly how the timing works.

You can park at the official Cato Ridge supporters parking , which is about a km from where the RWfL tent will be, or you can try and get closer and park on the grass near the Run Walk for Life tent.

The reason I suggest joining a supporters' group is for security...not to be alarmist, but rather set up camp where there are other people, to ensure you feel comfortable and can focus on spotting your runner as they approach.

A map of supporters parking is available.

Don't get too confused by the name changes. Photo: Maryann Shaw

Around lunch time, the best place to be will be the Nedbank Supporters Spot, suggests Katia Jones at Comrades House. Find the map to get to this spot under the route tab on the website.

In order to focus on being on the road and getting to your support spots, I suggest packing a picnic on Saturday evening so you don't have to worry about food and drink along the way...there is a big Spar in Greyling street in town, and a Pick n Pay in Victoria Street.

Or rather treat yourselves by giving Margie a call at the Fat Aubergine (they are near the corner of Peter Kerchhoff/ Chapel street and Boom street)

For R 95 per pack, she will prepare delicious road food for you that you can collect on Saturday afternoon....but call ahead to book a picnic, they are not open on Saturdays.

Monday -Friday they are open 10am - 4pm so if you are in town for a few days before the race pop in for coffee and a brownie, they are divine.

Contact Margie on 083 232 3140 or e-mail her.

Jane Dickinson's advice for meeting up at the end of the race: she said that so many runners are completely and utterly finished they barely know who they are, so make a plan, a clear plan, and stick to it, so that you can meet up at Sahara Park at the finish and get together and celebrate having finished!

Your running club probably has a tent and that is a good meeting up point.

What to do in Pietermaritzburg if you are here for a day or two before the race:

There IS a big mall if you can't go without shopping.

Essence coffee shop and restaurant is inside the complex at 120 Victoria Road, next to the Wetherly's furniture shop, so there is lots of parking off the main road.

Learn something new at the Natal Museum. Photo: Maryann Shaw

They will be open for dinner Friday night and breakfast and lunch on Saturday before the race, and I highly recommend their buffet lunches.

Call them on 033 342 9215.

KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden, established in 1874, has a restaurant that can be reached on 033 344 2207, and is open every day except Monday.

The gardens are open from 8am - 5.30pm at this time of year.

Pietermaritzburg's event of the year, The Royal Show is on and is a family outing if you are up for more crowds.

Other family options are Butterflies for Africa and the Crafty Duck Village.

In the town centre, for the art lovers there is the Tatham Gallery just opposite the City Hall where the race starts.

The Natal Museum, is at 237 Jabu Ndlovu street, see their website.

If you run into any trouble while you are in Pietermaritzburg, the main police station's telephone no. is 033 845 2420/1, and is right next to the Natal Museum in Jabu Ndlovu street (this one used to be Loop street)

Watch out for the street name issue in Durban as well; the changes were more recent, so both signs are generally still there, which helps.

Have fun and good luck!