Welcome to the Comrades Marathon

9 June 2024 | South Africa

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Comrades Marathon 2024 with Africa Marathons

Please note:

  • Very important Comrades Marathon information - We can unfortunately only cater for international entrants. No places are available with us for athletes resident in South Africa

  • Comrades Marathon 2024 is scheduled to be run on Sunday, 9 June 2024, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg (Up Run).
  • The official qualifying period is from 1 September 2023 to 6 May 2024.
  • Please click here or below for our 2024 confirmed itinerary, so email us now to reserve your place on the Africa Marathons team. Spaces are limited so please check with us as soon as possible.

The legendary Comrades Marathon is the world's oldest and largest Ultramarathon. The 97th running of Comrades Marathon 2024 will be back to an 'up run'. If the record-breaking Comrades 2023 is anything to go by, the celebration of The Ultimate Human Race in 2024 will be even bigger.

Comrades was run for the first time on the 24th of May 1921 and has been run every year since, with the exception of World War II and, unfortunately, 2020 & 2021. The race was the brainchild of WWI veteran Vic Clapham to commemorate South African soldiers killed during the war. Clapham himself had endured a 2,700km trek through East Africa during the war and wanted the memorial to be a supreme test of physical endurance.

Ultramarathons are any distance over the standard 42.2km marathon, and this is one of the very best in the world. Comrades Marathon is run between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal and alternates each year between an ‘up’ run starting from Durban and the ‘down’ run starting from Pietermaritzburg, taking on the challenging ‘Big Five’ set of hills.

The race distance slightly varies each year but is approximately 90 km. There are 23,000 entry places (2,500 international entries), and runners must complete the course in under 12 hours, also reaching a number of cut-off points at allocated times to continue in the race. To enter this prestigious event, runners must have completed an official ‘qualifying’ marathon in under 4 hours and 50 minutes.

The Comrades is a very special event and one that should be on all runners' bucket lists – the strong values of camaraderie, courage and commitment, dedication, passion and perseverance are key to making this event so unique.

Africa Marathons arranges everything for athletes who join us for the Comrades Marathon and offer a fantastic package to take part in the ultimate human race.

To join the Africa Marathons Team, please email - [email protected] or ring +44 1932 361807 (UK) +1 844 390 1798 (USA) +44 (0)7791360170 (Rob).

 

Thinking of running the Comrades Marathon with Africa Marathons? Please do watch our video in collaboration with The Running Channel below. Be warned, though; you will want to sign up straight away!

Pre- or Post Marathon Bucket List Items

Race Stories from the Comrades Marathon

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All you have to do is relax and enjoy the race. PB’s optional 🔔
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You heard it here first, it’s the shortest @comradesmarathon route to date. Record breakers at the ready 📣 

Head to our stories to read all about it.
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Often we’re asked the same question, “can I plan this trip solo?” - The answer is probably yes, but will it be the same? Probably no.
We take care of everything from the moment you land, to the (ever so sad) moment you leave, meaning all you need to do is RUN ⚡️
18 4
Sundays spent dreaming of start-lines and counting down to the beginning of our sunshine season in South Africa. First up @totalsportstwooceansmarathon followed swiftly by @comradesmarathon ⚡️

If you’re joining us in 2024, we cannot wait to welcome you. If you’re not - head to our stories 👀
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Yep, you heard us right... just one month to go until our @totalsportstwooceansmarathon runners begin their epic journeys, soaking up so many of Cape Town’s best sights. We’re putting in the final preparations, counting down the days until we’re back in our favourite place in the world 🌎
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Four Countries, Six Marathons

The founders and directors of Africa Marathons have over 35 years of combined experience in the Africa travel industry. We promote and offer packages to running events in 4 African countries at present.

Get In Touch

Whether you are an experienced or novice runner, looking for a new challenge or simply thinking about visiting the continent for the first time, we would love to speak to you!

Very important Comrades Marathon information - We can unfortunately only cater for international entrants. No places are available with us for athletes resident in South Africa