THE Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) administrators, sponsors, athletes, government officials and road-running dignitaries gathered to officially launch the 98th edition on Wednesday.
The 2025 Comrades Marathon is set to take place on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The iconic ultramarathon, renowned for its challenging course and rich history, will be a Down Run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on an 89km stretch. This will be the 49th Comrades Down Run.
“There is no doubt that the 2025 Comrades Marathon is going to be one of the most exciting editions as we host the next Down Run in about 200 days,” said CMA chairperson Jeff Minnaar.
CMA marketing manager Delaine Cools unveiled the highly anticipated campaign slogan for Comrades 2025 – ‘More Than A Race – Isiko Mpilo’ – reaffirming the event’s attraction as a life-changing experience, a pilgrimage of sorts and a coming together of a global family of runners who are committed to good sportsmanship and a shared passion for running.”
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“As a token of appreciation to all Green Number Club athletes for their many years of loyalty and dedication to the Ultimate Human Race, entries will open only for all Green Number Club runners on November 6 at 12:00 and will close on December 9 at 16:30.”
Entries for all Non-Green Number Club runners open on November 13 at 10:00 and will close on December 9 at 16:30. The total number of entries will be capped at 23 000. The entry period will close on December 9 at 16:30 or once the entry cap of 23 000 has been reached – whichever comes first.
The qualifying criteria for next year’s Comrades Marathon remain unchanged, requiring completion of a standard, officially timed 42.2km marathon in under 4 hours and 50 minutes or a 56km ultra-marathon in under 6 hours and 45 minutes.
CMA also confirmed that prize money for the 2025 Comrades Marathon had been increased by 10% across the board, meaning that the winner in both the men’s and women’s races will take home a fantastic R874 000 with a total prize purse of over R7.6 million, which includes a cash payment of R550 000 should the winners break the Best Time previously recorded for the Down Run for both the men’s and women’s races.
In conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the race will incentivise the first, second and third KwaZulu-Natal men and women winners with a cash prize.
Watch: WATCH: Runners share their inspirational stories at Comrades Marathon Expo
Minnaar has called on all runners to join hands with the CMA in raising funds for charity. He believes that Comrades 2025 could be the year in which they see record fundraising efforts by runners and stakeholders.
Entry fees remain the same as that of the 2023 and 2024 races and are as follows: South African entrants: R1 200, African entrants: R2 000 and international entrants: R4 500. Entry fee is waived for holders of 25 or more Comrades medals.
Online entries can be made at www.comrades.com
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