RunFastAbout the race
The Comrades Marathon is a road ultramarathon between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, and is often called the oldest and largest race of its kind in the world.
History
World War I veteran Vic Clapham founded the race to honour soldiers who died in that war. The first edition was held on 24 May 1921 and was won by Bill Rowan. It has been run every year apart from breaks during World War II and in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Women and black runners were first officially admitted in 1975. A final gun fires at the time limit, after which no one else counts as a finisher.
The course
The direction swaps each year. An "up" run climbs from Durban on the coast to inland Pietermaritzburg; a "down" run goes the other way. Both cross the same five well-known hills: Polly Shortts, Inchanga, Botha's Hill, Fields Hill and Cowies Hill. The highest point is near Umlaas Road, and Drummond marks roughly halfway. On the down run, Fields Hill is a long, steep descent into Pinetown.
The 2027 race
The organiser lists the 2027 edition as a down run on Sunday 13 June 2027, starting at 05:00 outside Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishing at the Kings Park Rugby Precinct in Durban. It expects the distance to be about 91 km, to be confirmed once the route has been officially measured.
Cut-offs and entry
Each runner has 12 hours from their gun start to reach the finish. Intermediate cut-off points are signposted and set out in the final race instructions, and runners who miss one are taken off the route and bussed to the finish. Entrants must be at least 20 and must complete a qualifying race of at least marathon distance between 15 June 2026 and 3 May 2027; a marathon, for example, must be finished in 4:59:59 or faster. For 2027, general entry was by a ballot held in September 2026, after earlier windows for long-standing runners, CMA members and charity entries.
Where to watch
Supporters may stand anywhere on the route and hand runners drinks or food, but must stay in one place; driving, cycling or running alongside athletes is not allowed. The organiser's spectator list for the 2024 up run included Pinetown, Hillcrest, Alverstone, Drummond, Inchanga, Cato Ridge, Camperdown and Ashburton.
Weather
June is winter in KwaZulu-Natal. Pietermaritzburg's winters are dry, with cold nights, warmer days and occasional light frost, while Durban's are mild and dry, so down-run runners start on a cold inland morning and finish in milder coastal air.
SourcesComrades Marathon home·Race information·FAQs·2027 entry schedule·CMA spectator spots (2024)·Wikipedia: Comrades Marathon·Wikipedia: Pietermaritzburg (climate)·Wikipedia: Durban (climate)