- Distance: Approximately 88–90 km (55 miles), varying slightly by year and route adjustments (typically 87–90 km).
- Location: KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
- Established: 1921 (first race on 24 May), created by Vic Clapham as a memorial to South African soldiers who died in World War I.
- Direction: Alternates annually:
- “Down” run — Starts in Pietermaritzburg (higher elevation) to Durban.
- “Up” run — Starts in Durban to Pietermaritzburg (more climbing overall).
- Time limit: 12 hours (runners must reach the finish before the cutoff).
- Field size: Often 20,000+ runners; it sells out quickly and attracts international participants.
Course and Challenge
The route features major hills (e.g., Polly Shortts, Inchanga, Botha’s Hill), scenic countryside, and significant elevation changes. It is a road race with aid stations, massive crowd support, and a strong community atmosphere. Finishing is a huge achievement—many runners earn medals (gold for top positions, silver, bronze, etc.) based on time.
Records (as of recent years)
- Down Run (faster overall):
- Men: Tete Dijana (South Africa) — 5:13:58 (2023)
- Women: Gerda Steyn — 5:44:54 (2023)
- Up Run:
- Men: Leonid Shvetsov — 5:24:39 (2008)
- Women: Gerda Steyn — 5:49:46 (2024)
Legendary multiple winners include Bruce Fordyce (9 men’s wins) and Elena Nurgalieva (8 women’s wins).
Recent Winners
In the 2025 Down Run (98th edition):
- Men: Tete Dijana (South Africa) — ~5:25:28 (his third win)
- Women: Gerda Steyn (South Africa) — ~5:51:19 (her fourth win, third in a row)
The 2026 edition (99th, an “Up” run) is taking place today, June 14, 2026, starting from Durban.
Significance
Comrades is legendary for its toughness, inclusivity, and cultural importance in South Africa. It emphasizes endurance, mental strength, and camaraderie over pure speed. Many runners treat it as a bucket-list event or a personal challenge, with strong traditions, spectator support, and stories of resilience.
