The Ultimate Human Race
Comrades Marathon
Comrades is more than a race — it is a pilgrimage. Every year, roughly 20,000 runners take on roughly 89 km of hills between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, chasing a finish before the 12-hour cutoff.
Photo by James Lee on Unsplash
- Distance: Approximately 89 km (alternates direction each year).
- When: Usually held on the second Sunday in June.
- Cutoff: 12 hours from the starting gun.
- Qualifier: You need a sub-5:00 marathon in the 12 months before race day.
- Medals: Bronze (sub-12h), Wally Hayward (sub-9h), Silver (sub-7:30), Bill Rowan (sub-9h), Gold (sub-6h).
History
A race born from resilience
The Comrades Marathon was founded in 1921 by Vic Clapham, a World War I veteran who wanted to honour the soldiers who endured extreme hardship. The race has been run every year since, except during World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic.
What started as a niche event for a handful of runners has grown into the world's largest ultramarathon, drawing participants from over 70 countries. Finishing Comrades earns you a place in a community unlike any other in running.
The Route
Up run vs down run
Comrades alternates direction each year:
- Up run — Durban to Pietermaritzburg. The route climbs roughly 1,800 m and is generally considered tougher.
- Down run — Pietermaritzburg to Durban. More downhill overall but notorious for punishing your quads.
The five major hills — Cowies Hill, Fields Hill, Botha's Hill, Inchanga, and Polly Shortts — are landmarks every Comrades runner learns to respect.
The direction does not change the difficulty as much as you might think. Both versions are brutally honest tests of preparation.
Qualifying
How to qualify
To enter Comrades, you must complete a qualifying marathon (42.2 km) in under 5 hours within the 12 months before race day. The qualifying window and list of accepted marathons are published on the official Comrades website each year.
This means most new runners are looking at a 2 to 3 year journey: build a running base, complete a marathon, and then train specifically for ultra distance.
Race Day
What to expect on race day
- Start: The race begins with the singing of Shosholoza and the firing of the cannon — a moment that gives even veteran runners chills.
- Cutoff: The final cutoff is exactly 12 hours. If you are not across the finish line when the gun fires, your race is over regardless of how close you are.
- Support: Aid stations (called "tables") are spaced roughly every 4 to 5 km and offer water, Coke, energy drinks, and food.
- Crowd support: The spectators along the route, especially through the towns, make Comrades one of the best-supported races in the world.
Beginner Advice
Tips for aspiring Comrades runners
- Do not rush the journey. Build your running base over months, not weeks.
- Run your first marathon well before thinking about Comrades-specific training.
- Train on hills. Flat training will not prepare you for the route.
- Respect the cutoff. Your pacing strategy needs to account for the 12-hour limit from kilometre one.
- Join a running club. Many South African clubs have dedicated Comrades training programmes and the group support is invaluable for long training runs.
Your next step
Start training for Comrades
Comrades is a long-term goal for most new runners. Start with a 5K, build to a marathon, and then set your sights on the ultimate human race.