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April 22, 2025
Comrades Marathon Unveils More Generous Cut-Off Times for 2025
May 9, 2025Comrades Marathon: Exciting New Finish Venue Details & Confirmation Of 2025 Down Run Distance
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has officially set the route distance for the 98th edition of The Ultimate Human Race. Runners tackling the 49th Down Run on Sunday, 8 June 2025, will face an 89.98km course. The race begins, as tradition dictates for the Down Run, at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and concludes 12 hours later with a new street finish outside Durban’s People’s Park.
The New Finish Line
This 2025 route is slightly longer than the 87.701km of the last Down Run in 2023. The increase comes from moving the finish line away from the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium. The new finish setup will be on the northbound lanes of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, directly outside People’s Park. Spectators will have a dedicated grandstand erected in the southbound lanes, while People’s Park itself hosts hospitality and entertainment. Space on either side of the finish straight will be set aside for running club tents. For historical context, the longest Comrades Down Run was 92km back in 1971.
Organisers believe the street finish will foster a more engaging and celebratory end to the race, allowing larger crowds to cheer participants home. It’s also designed to improve the flow of runners and spectators, reducing congestion for a smoother experience. A welcome detail for tired athletes: there will be no steps to navigate after crossing the line. Instead, a short, flat walk leads to the club tents or nearby parking. A complimentary shuttle service will run throughout the day to assist with transport to vehicles.
The precise 89.98km distance was carefully verified by the CMA’s Route Portfolio team, working alongside the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport’s Road Traffic Inspectorate and Durban Metro Police.
Let’s hear from the CMA
“The Comrades Marathon Association is incredibly proud to announce the official 89.98-kilometre distance for the 2025 Down Run,” says CMA General Manager, Alain Dalais. “This carefully measured course embodies the spirit and tradition of The Ultimate Human Race, promising an unforgettable test of endurance and resilience for all participants. The route from the Start will leave the City of Pietermaritzburg via Chief Albert Luthuli Street, turning right onto Alexandra Road and left onto Ritchie Road, which becomes Washington Road, and proceeding through Mkondeni to Polly Shortt’s. These first 8km of the route are wide, spacious and well lit, thus ensuring safer running conditions for all participants.”
Dalais added his enthusiasm for the new finish arrangements: “We are really excited about the new finish venue, because it will provide both runners and spectators with a unique experience and inspirational end to the day’s running. The runners will enjoy an easier, smoother finish process, while loved ones and supporters will be right there to welcome their runners in, and the venue will help create a terrific finish-line atmosphere.”
Focus on Enhanced Safety and Runner Experience
Two primary goals shape the planning for the 2025 Comrades Marathon: boosting runner safety and improving the overall race-day experience. With expectations of the largest-ever Down Run field, potentially around 22,000 starters, the CMA has opted for a two-group start. The start times are also slightly later, aiming for more daylight and better visibility in the early stages, particularly on the descent of Polly Shortt’s. The first group will depart at 5:45 am, followed by the second group at 6:00 am.
This two-batch approach aims to give runners a less congested start, reminiscent of the more open road running seen in races during the 1990s and early 2000s. It’s anticipated that the last runner in each group will cross the start line within five minutes. Details regarding specific start batches and seeding for runners will be confirmed and communicated after the qualifying window closes on Monday, 5 May.
Runners will be assigned different coloured race numbers – orange or purple – corresponding to their start group. Two matching coloured finish chutes will operate in Durban. Both groups retain the full 12-hour cut-off time, and all standard medal cut-off points apply. Volunteer ‘spotters’ and clear signage will guide runners into the correct chute to receive the appropriate medal. A distinct sound signal will mark the 12-hour point for Group 1 at 5:45 pm, while the traditional final cut-off gun will be fired by the CMA Board Chairperson for Group 2’s conclusion at 6:00 pm.
To further support runner safety and enhance the experience during the final, often darker, stages of the 12-hour race, the last 10km of the route will feature improved lighting. This includes existing streetlights in Durban supplemented by numerous generator-powered mobile floodlight masts provided by the CMA. These will illuminate less lit sections from Westwood/45th Cutting through to the finish area, as well as all official race-day parking zones and the sidewalks and side streets leading towards Jacko Jackson Drive (near Kings Park Rugby Stadium). Additionally, a substantial security team will operate in these areas until late on race evening, coordinating with venue security and the SAPS to safeguard runners and spectators.
“I’d like to say a special thank you to the Race Organising Committee, as well as Board member Alan Gray and his Race Advisory Committee, for all their input and work on the 2025 Route, Start and Finish planning,” stated Dalais. “The ROC, many of whom are unpaid volunteers, is the backbone of our event, and all but one of the RAC have run the Comrades Marathon numerous times. All that expertise and experience is paving the way for this groundbreaking 2025 edition of the race. Another important contribution has come from Board member Rory Steyn, utilising his many years of valuable expertise in sports events security to ensure the safety of both runners and spectators. It really shows that this event is runner-focused!”
Anticipation Builds
Looking towards the 98th running of this iconic event, CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo, himself an experienced runner, shared his thoughts: “As an athlete who has experienced the Comrades journey, I understand the dedication and preparation that goes into this race. The announcement of the official distance marks a significant step for all of us training for this 49th Down Run. The Comrades Marathon is more than just a race; it’s a testament to the human spirit and the incredible camaraderie we share, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming thousands of fellow runners to KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, 8 June.”
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