The Comrades Marathon will be run on Sunday, 14 June 2026. The “UP RUN” starts in Durban and finishes in Pietermaritzburg 12 hours after the official start.
The race distance is approximately 87km. This distance is subject to change and will be confirmed in the Final Race Instructions.
The ability of the Comrades Marathon Association to host the Comrades Marathon depends on the prevailing circumstances in the year concerned.
The Comrades Marathon Association reserves the right, in their sole discretion, to amend or modify these rules and/or regulations, at any time.
Entry Fee:
South Africa Citizens: R1 200
Rest of Africa Entrants: R2 000
International Entrants: R4 500
QUALIFYING CRITERIA
To qualify and participate in the 2026 Comrades Marathon, athletes need to adhere to the qualifying criteria below. The cut-off date for supplying the information below and completing the entry is 4 May 2026.
Athletes must update their qualifying details by either updating their online entry profile, emailing the CMA office, or by requesting their club administrator to do so.
- SA Athletes must submit their club’s name and 2026 permanent licence number.
- All athletes must complete the medical questionnaire (available by logging into their online entry profile once entered).
- All athletes must run at least one qualifying race between 9 June 2025 and 4 May 2026. All qualifying races must be ASA technically compliant, not shorter than 42.2km, and meet the Comrades Marathon qualifying criteria. Please see below Qualifying Table for official distances and qualifying times.
- SA Athletes Qualifying times will be submitted for verification to their running club with which they are registered. International athletes qualifying times will be submitted to the international qualifying race organisers for verification. It however remains the athlete’s responsibility to ensure that their qualifying details are updated accordingly and before 4 May 2026.
Qualifying Times
DISTANCE TIME
42.2km 04:59:59
48km 05:59:59
50km 06:09:59
52-54km 06:29:59
56km 06:59:59
60km 07:39:59
64km 08:14:59
80km 10:34:59
90km 11:59:59
100km 13:34:59
Number Collection will take place at:
Durban Exhibition Centre, 11 Walnut Road, Durban on
11 June | 10h00-19h00
12 June | 09h00-19h00
13 June | 09h00-16h00
Comrades Marathon House, 18 Comrades Marathon Road, Pietermaritzburg on
11 June | 10h00-19h00
12 June | 09h00-19h00
13 June | 09h00-16h00
Race Start: City Hall, Durban
Finish Venue: Pietermaritzburg
For more information:
Race office number: 033 897 8650
