Dave
I think it is more than that, Obvs training for a comrades through winter is really tough for anybody north of the WC or KZN. Most of our training will be in the cold and very dark.
Other than this, it means you write off any Autumn marathons in the NH and it competes with UTMB etc for top intl athletes (which would grow the profile of the event) The potential for really bad weather is also increased, I have yet to see one credible reason for an August date.
The whole road calendar has been structured around TOM on easter and comrades in June for a very long time. Those habits are hard to break, I agreed with you, for a lot of runners i think it set up there year and what they were going to run. It is also a good way to kickstart your year. Come January you know you need to put the skoens on and strt training for C. August throws that all out.
