Comrades Marathon Origins
The first Comrades Marathon was run on Empire Day 24 May 1921, when 34 runners lined up before the Pietermaritzburg City Hall to commence a race to Durban to commemorate the spirit and camaraderie of the soldiers who fought in the Great War. It owes its origins to the tireless efforts of its founder Vic Clapham (war veteran & SA Railways engine driver) whose vision it was to create a living memorial to the spirit of his “comrades” who suffered so greatly in the war.
The first race was run on old dust roads, with the runners having to pass through several gates and at least one stream. It was won by Bill Rowan, a 26-year old Transvaal farmer in a time of 8:59, which would be the slowest winning time in the history of the race. There were 16 official finishers of the first race.
Official Race Distance
Either direction, the course is undulating and extremely difficult, including several infamous hill climbs on both the “up” and so called “down-runs”. The distance varies from year to year depending on final arrangements concluded with traffic and local authorities.
Time Limit
The time limit for the Comrades Marathon is 12 hours.
The entry fee is R380 for South African entrants, R600 for the Rest of Africa and R2000 for International entrants.
Competitors
The Comrades Marathon attracts competitors from throughout South Africa and around the world. It is widely considered to be the most significant ultra-marathon event in the world and therefore attracts the best ultra-distance athletes. It is also regarded as one of South Africa’s most popular and inclusive sporting events and attracts runners of all ages (above 20), all genders, all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and all levels of athletic ability.