2019's 94th Comrades Marathon to be broadcast on SABC2 after the SABC and Athletics South Africa (ASA) sign a 1-year contract that will include TV coverage of this year's Cape Town Marathon and the Soweto Marathon.

The 94th Comrades Marathon in South Africa will be broadcast on television after the South African public broadcaster and Athletics South Africa (ASA) managed to sign a 1-year contract that will include coverage on the SABC's SABC2 TV channel on Sunday, 9 June.

It comes after major pressure and concern that the Comrades - South Africa's premier ultra-distance marathon - would face a broadcast blackout similar to this year's 50th Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon that wasn't broadcast on television due to the SABC's ineptitude and financial problems and MultiChoice and SuperSport blocked from trying to secure the rights.

The one year contract between the SABC and Athletics South Africa means that besides the Comrades Marathon the Cape Town Marathon, Africa's only IAAF Gold label status-marathon on 15 September, as well as the Soweto Marathon on 3 November will also be broadcast by the SABC.

"We are delighted with the agreement, as we are committed to the development of athletics in the county," says Dr Craig van Rooyen, the SABC's acting chief operating officer (COO) in a statement.

"This agreement also bears testimony to the fact that the SABC and ASA are keen on working together in promoting not only the sport, but also showcasing our local and global superstars, who inspire a nation."

The SABC didn't disclose any of the terms of the deal.

Aleck Skhosana, ASA president says "As ASA we look forward to further negotiations with the SABC for a 3-year contract, which will look into track-and-field events under ASA. All preparations for the marathons which we have now concluded an agreement on with the SABC, are underway".