2024 Comrades Marathon: Everything you need to know
Comrades Marathon Association reveals that 2024 will be the first Up Run in five years, the starting date, entrance fee, prize money and more.
“There is absolutely no doubt that the 2024 Comrades Marathon is going to be one of the most exhilarating editions of the world-famous ultramarathon as we host an Up Run again after nearly five years,” confirmed Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) chairperson, Mqondisi Ngcobo at the launch of the 97th Comrades Marathon at Comrades House on November 7.
Mqondisi also unveiled next year’s campaign slogan, ‘No Doubt – Nakanjani’, an inference to the Comrades athlete’s firm belief in the power, stature and attraction of the world’s biggest, oldest and most loved ultramarathon.
The launch was attended by members of the media, dignitaries, sporting personalities, CMA sponsors, stakeholders, reigning champ, Tete Dijana, former winners and other elite athletes.
Mqondisi added, “The slogan speaks to the legacy of this larger-than-life event, lauded by athletes around the globe as the ultimate road-running challenge and the world’s greatest footrace. The Comrades Marathon has contributed in so many meaningful ways to changing lives, adding purpose and enhancing the social landscape of our beautiful country.”
The 97th Comrades Marathon will be an uprun on Sunday, June 9, 2024, starting at the Durban City Hall at 05:30 and finishing 12 hours later at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse. As with previous upruns, the race distance will be approximately 87km. This will be the 49th Comrades Up Run.
The entry period opens at 10:00 on November 21 this year and will close at 16:30 on December 11 or once the entry cap of 23 000 has been reached, whichever comes first.
Entry fees remain the same as those of the 2023 race and are as follows:
• South Africans: R1 200
• Foreign Athletes – Africa/ SADC countries: R2 000
• Foreign Athletes – International: R4 500
Entry fee is waived for holders of 25 or more Comrades medals. Online entries can be done via the Comrades Marathon website at www.comrades.com.
CMA race and operations manager Ann Ashworth added, “We look forward to pulling out all the stops in ensuring a memorable race day for our athletes. Qualification for the 2024 Comrades Marathon is applicable till May 2, 2024. 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 six hours and 45 minutes.”
The substitution process will run over March and April 2024. More details will be revealed closer to the time.
Ashworth also confirmed that prize money for the 2024 Comrades Marathon has been increased by 10% for the Top 10, meaning that the winner in both the men’s and women’s races will take home a cool R550 000 with a total prize purse of over R4,6 million, which includes a cash payment of R550 000 should the winners break the Best Time previously recorded for the uprun in both the men’s and women’s races.
The CMA has also introduced a 70+ prize category for the First Man and Woman over the age of 70 years to cross the finish line.
Additionally, in conjunction with the KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the race will incentivise the Second and Third Men and Women home with a cash prize. This was previously reserved for only the First KZN Man and Woman.
CMA vice chairperson and head of the finance committee, Les Burnard also announced the introduction of the Comrades Runners’ Relief Fund. Through this initiative, up to 1 500 disadvantaged athletes may apply for a reduced entry fee of 50%. Terms and conditions apply. More details are available on the official Comrades website: www.comrades.com.
Since its inception, the Comrades Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive has raised more than R71 million for the CMA’s official charities. The newly selected charities for 2024 are Childhood Cancer Foundation SA (CHOC), Childline KZN, Community Chest of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust, Rise Against Hunger and SANParks Honorary Rangers.
Mqondisi has called on all runners to support the incredible work of the CMA in raising funds for charity, saying, “It is incumbent upon us to contribute to the welfare of those who need our compassion and generosity. I urge all aspirant 2024 entrants to select the Official Comrades Charity closest to your heart and run your 2024 Comrades in honour of a special cause. Together, we can do so much more to benefit the communities in which we operate and add value to our chosen sport of road running.”
