Name: Jonty does comrades marathon
Uploaded: 2025-06-08T17:35:56+00:00
Duration: 12 min 22 s
Description: The Comrades Marathon is an iconic ultramarathon, widely regarded as the world’s oldest and largest race of its kind. It covers approximately 88 kilometers (55 miles) and takes place annually in South

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The Comrades Marathon is an iconic ultramarathon, widely regarded as the world’s oldest and largest race of its kind. It covers approximately 88 kilometers (55 miles) and takes place annually in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, alternating between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Here’s a concise overview based on the latest available information:

Key Details
Date for 2025: Sunday, June 8, 2025, as a "down" run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, covering roughly 89 km.
History: First held on May 24, 1921, founded by World War I veteran Vic Clapham to honor fallen soldiers. It has run almost every year since, except during World War II (1939–45) and the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–21).
Distance: Varies slightly by direction—about 87.6 km for the "up" run (Durban to Pietermaritzburg) and 89.98 km for the "down" run (Pietermaritzburg to Durban). The 2024 "up" run was 85.91 km, the shortest in history.
Elevation: The "up" run gains over 1,800 meters, with the highest point near Umlaas Road at ~870 meters (2,850 feet) above sea level. The "down" run descends from ~660 meters to near sea level, but includes significant climbs.
The Big Five: Five major hills define the challenge—Cowies Hill, Fields Hill, Botha’s Hill, Inchanga, and Polly Shortts—testing runners in both directions.
Participants: Over 300,000 have completed it historically. In 2024, 18,884 started, and 17,313 finished (91.68% finish rate). Entries are capped, often at 20,000.
Time Limit: Runners have 12 hours to finish, with cut-off points along the route (e.g., for 2024: Winston Park at 29 km by 10:15, Drummond at 42 km by 11:50). Failure to meet these forces retirement.
Entry Requirements
Age: Runners must be 20 or older on race day.
Qualification: Complete an officially recognized marathon (42.2 km) in under 4:49:59 between June 10, 2024, and May 5, 2025. Other ultra-distance races may also qualify—check the official table on the Comrades website.
Process: Enter online at www.comrades.com or via the Comrades Marathon App. No postal, fax, email, or manual entries accepted. Payment options include full or a 50% part-payment, with the balance due by 16:30 on March 14, 2025. Qualifying details must be updated by May 5, 2025.
Seeding: Runners are batched by qualifying times, which are under review for 2025—updates will be communicated.
Substitutions: Allowed from March 17 to April 15, 2025, with withdrawn entries opening slots on a first-come, first-served basis from April 1 to April 15, 2025.
Race Features
Direction: Alternates yearly—2025 is a "down" run starting at Pietermaritzburg City Hall, finishing in Durban at Kingsmead Stadium.
Refreshments: ~48 stations offer water, energy drinks, fruit, snacks, and first aid/physiotherapy support.
Traditions: The race starts with "Shosholoza," the "Chariots of Fire" theme, and a cock’s crow (inspired by Max Trimborn in 1948). Bib colors vary—blue for internationals, yellow for 10th run, green for 10+ completions.
Prizes: In 2024, winners earned R550,000 (~£22,000), with bonuses (e.g., R500,000 for breaking the course record) and awards for top 10 men/women, age groups, clubs, and regional athletes.
2024 Highlights
Men’s Race: Dutch runner Piet Wiersma won in 5:25:00, overtaking from 10th at halfway to beat South Africa’s Dan Moselakwe (5:25:45).
Women’s Race: South African Gerda Steyn set an "up" run course record, winning her third title in a time not fully specified here but breaking her own record by over 9 minutes.
Conditions: Temperatures ranged from mid-50s to low-70s Fahrenheit, ideal for the 85.91 km "up" run.