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Welcome to the Comrades Marathon
11 June 2023|South Africa
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Comrades Marathon 2023 with Africa Marathons
Please note:
- Very important Comrades Marathon information - We can unfortunately only cater for international entrants. No entries are available with us for athletes resident in South Africa
- The provisional date for Comrades Marathon 2023 is scheduled for Sunday, 11 June 2023
- Click here for our Comrades 2023 itinerary
Email us now to reserve your race entry and 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 96th running of Comrades Marathon 2023 will be a very special down run (a double down medal for those who completed the 2022 down run). If Comrades 2022 is anything to go by the celebration of the comeback of The Ultimate Human Race in 2023 will be even bigger.
The Comrades Marathon 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. The Comrades 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 27,500 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. Runners must have completed an official ‘qualifying’ marathon in under 4 hours and 50 minutes to enter this prestigious event.
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. We also have a limited number of guaranteed entries for international runners to the Comrades Marathon, so best get in touch with us to secure your spot.
Please click here to see our full travel itinerary for 2023.
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).
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
Follow Us On Instagram
Let’s give the running chat a break shall we and talk BRUNCH 🍳 because let’s me honest, when we’re running that marathon our mind mainly goes to what we plan to enjoy afterwards.
Some of our favourite Cape Town spots as followed:
@shiftespresso_official
@clarkescapetown
@thesilohotel_
@noahhouse_capetown (currently closed - working on a new concept)
@jasonbakerycpt
@jarryds_eatery
@rootbarsa
Whilst we mostly head there for the races, there’s no denying Cape Town’s incredible culinary scene so be sure to scoot into some of the places above. Whatever it takes to come alive eh?!
Two Oceans is renowned for being fast and furious, especially if you’re @carlamolinaro going for a podium spot. Lucky for us, she loves what we do and has agreed to share some tips, straight from the strict training programme and mind blowing averages paces tongue. Over to you Carla...
(Oh and p.s if you want to land and that start-line as strong as you can be, check out my @scyforrunners app and use code AM10 for 10% off your membership!)
“I was blown away by the level of service I received from the company, from my initial enquiry to the trip itself, every step of the way I received a truly outstanding service.”
If words like that don`t have you ready to join us at Comrades 2024, we don`t know what will. Thanks for the glowing review Craig - we hope to see you back soon.
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!
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)