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Welcome to the Comrades Marathon
8 June 2025 | South Africa
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Comrades Marathon 2025 with Africa Marathons
- Comrades Marathon 2025 is provisionally set to take place on Sunday 8 June 2025, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban (Down Run).
- The official qualifying period should commence in September 2024 through to May 2025. Once again we will update everyone with these details once available.
- Please click here or on the button below for our 2025 itinerary. 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 Trip
the Expo
Team Dinner
Marathons Party!!!
T-Shirt / Kit
our Africa Marathons Coaching Team
Trainings Runs
Marathons Private Tent
with Food and Drink
The legendary Comrades Marathon is the world's oldest and largest Ultramarathon. The 98th running of Comrades Marathon 2025 will be a 'down run'. Comrades 2024 was an absolutely unforgettable experience, and our Africa Marathons team can't wait to celebrate The Ultimate Human Race in 2025 with all our runners.
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 Covid (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. Runners must also reach a number of cut-off points at allocated times to continue in the race. To enter this prestigious event, runners need to complete an official ‘qualifying’ marathon in under 4 hours and 50 minutes.
The Comrades is a very special event that should be on all runners' bucket lists. The strong values of camaraderie, courage, commitment, dedication, passion, and perseverance are key to making this event 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).
Comrades Marathon Down Run
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
View the Big Five (Kruger Region)
Relax in Camps Bay (Cape Town)
Hike the Drakensberg (KwaZulu-Natal)
Explore the Anglo-Boer Battlefields (KwaZulu-Natal)
Experience a Safari (KwaZulu-Natal)
Go Whale Watching (Hermanus)
Visit the Winelands (Franschhoek, Stellenbosch & Paarl)
Shop the Waterfront (Cape Town)
Visit Robben Island (Cape Town)
Hike Table Mountain (Cape Town)
Explore Boulders Beach (Cape Town)
Race Stories from the Comrades Marathon
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Behind the scenes, we’re always hard at work (yes, even the serious faces make an appearance! 👀).
Over the next few months, our focus will be on planning and prepping for 2025, making sure we bring the very best of Africa to YOU. From curating unforgettable safari experiences (once the running shoes are off) to creating race experiences that leave a lasting impression, we’re more committed than ever to making your Africa Marathons memories ones you’ll want to relive again and again 🙌.
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
Our first aim is to get to know you, your running experience and aspirations, so we may best advise on which events would challenge you whilst giving you a high chance of success. So please get in touch. We look forward to speaking to you.
E: [email protected]
T: +44 7791 360170 (Rob)
T: +44 7809 726266 (Clyde)