THERE are just days to go until the start of the 99th Comrades Marathon.

First run in 1921, the Comrades is the world’s largest and oldest ultra-marathon, and this year marks the 50th Up Run (the run alternates between up and down directions between Durban and Pietermaritzburg). 

This year a field of 21 633 runners will line up for the marathon on Sunday, June 14, which starts in Durban and ends at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg.

We’ve compiled a list of five things to know about this year’s race.

There will be three start groups

For the first time this year there will be three start groups.

The race will also introduce an earlier start time (05:00) and all runners will have the full 12 hours to complete the race.

The changes took into account safety and medical assessments as well as reviews of runner feedback.

In the 2025 edition of the race, two starting groups set off at 05:45 and 06:00, however the revised official start times for the 2026 Comrades Marathon will be 05:00 (Group 1), 05:15 (Group 2) and 05:30 (Group 3).

The ‘shortest’ distance

Another incredible stat is this year’s Comrades Marathon Up Run’s distance has been measured at 85.777km.

This makes it the shortest Up Run distance in recent Comrades Marathon history, a 133m shorter than the 2024 race.

In that year, the race distance was 85.910km which also started in front of Durban City Hall and finished at the HollywoodBets Scottsville Racecourse.

Gerda Steyn could make history

Gerda Steyn has already rewritten the history books in the Comrades Marathon with her record-breaking times and wins.

On Sunday, she will look to claim her fifth title (fourth in a row).

Steyn has four Comrades Marathon wins to her name in 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

A victory in the 2026 race would move Steyn up to five wins, making her just the second woman and seventh runner overall to take five wins in the history of the race.

Russia’s Elena Nurgalieva holds the record with most victories in the women’s race with eight victories, four of which she won consecutively.

Zimbabwe makes up highest number of international entrants

The Comrades Marathon has always attracted international athletes from countries around the world and this year is no different.

While the vast majority of the field of 21 633 runners is made up of South African runners, Zimbabwe, Botswana, India and the UK make up the most of international entries.

Also included in the top 10 of international countries are Brazil, Russia, USA, Zambia, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Namibia.

The prize purse

There is plenty on offer for the winners this year as there is a combined R8.2m in prize money and incentive bonuses.

This includes top 10 positions, individual prizes, age categories, and team prizes for men and women, including prize money for the first South African finisher and top three KZN athletes.

The first man and woman over the line will win a R925 000 prize each, while runners-up will receive R464 000 and third-place finishers R334 000.

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