BLOGGING THE VIEW: Everything you need to know about the Comrades Marathon 2025
BLOGGING THE VIEW: Everything you need to know about the Comrades Marathon 2025
THE Comrades Marathon, dubbed the 'Ultimate Human Race', returns for its 98th edition this Sunday, 8 June.
This iconic ultramarathon will follow the down run route, starting from Pietermaritzburg City Hall and concluding at Durban's People's Park.
Fast Facts about Comrades 2025
1. Route
The 2025 down run spans 89.98km, descending from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. The course includes notable landmarks such as Polly Shortts, Umlaas Road, Cato Ridge, Drummond (halfway point), Inchanga and Fields Hill.
ALSO READ: 10 fun facts about the Comrades Marathon
2. Cut-off points
To ensure runner safety and race integrity, specific cut-off times are enforced at various points along the route:
· Cato Ridge (30.5km): 5:10:00 race time (11.10am)
· Drummond (45km): 6:40:00 race time (12.40pm)
· Winston Park (58.3km): 8:30:00 race time (2.30pm)
· Pinetown (69.1km): 10:05:00 race time (4.05pm)
· 45th Cutting (81.5km): 11:30:00 race time (5.30pm)
· Finish (89.98km): 12:00:00 race time (6pm)
3. Qualification and entry
Being such a gruelling race – almost double the traditional marathon length – Comrades has strict qualifying criteria to ensure the safety of all. This includes:
· Qualifying period: 10 June 2024 to 5 May 2025
· Minimum age: 20 years
· Qualifying criteria: Completion of an officially recognised standard marathon (42.2km) in under 4 hours and 50 minutes during the qualifying period.
ALSO READ: Comrades Marathon 2025: Road closures and travel alerts for Zululand residents
4. Medal categories
Completing the Comrades Marathon is an amazing accomplishment, and all race finishers will receive a medal based on their completion time. The categories include:
· Gold: Top 10 finishers (men and women)
· Wally Hayward: Men finishing 11th place to sub-6:00
· Isavel Roche-Kelly: Women finishing 11th place to sub-7:00
· Silver: Men finishing sub-7:30; women from 2024 onward
· Bill Rowan: 7:30 to sub-9:00
· Robert Mtshali: 9:00 to sub-10:00
· Bronze: 10:00 to sub-11:00
· Vic Clapham: 11:00 to sub-12:00
· Back-to-Back: Awarded to novices who complete their second consecutive Comrades Marathon
5. Traditions and highlights
With almost a century of history, the Comrades Marathon has a number of interesting race rituals and traditions that are followed. These include:
· Start rituals: The race gets going with the South African national anthem, followed by Shosholoza, Chariots of Fire and Max Trimborn's iconic rooster crow.
· Arthur's Seat: Located near Drummond (halfway point), runners often place flowers here as they believe it brings good luck for the remainder of the race.
· Finish line: A 12-hour gun signals the official end of the race, followed by the Last Post to honour those who didn't finish in time.
Support the runners along the Comrades route or from your couch this Sunday!
Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
No deaths at 2025 Comrades Marathon – association after fake news spreads
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has slammed reports alleging two runners had died at this year's event. According to Northglen News, in a statement, CMA general manager Alain Dalais said some digital media outlets and accounts had reported the deaths, further alleging the deaths were confirmed by Comrades officials. 'The CMA and its medical team can confirm that no deaths have been recorded at the 2025 event. As can be expected from an event of this nature and size, there were some cases of runners being transferred to hospital from the route, for various medical reasons. The CMA medical, emergency, safety and health protocols are excellent, and focused on the safety of all runners,' he said. Dalais added that the association distances itself from any fake news or rumours doing the rounds. 'The CMA suggests that our community rely on reputable sources for information, starting with our own channels,' he added. In 2022, a Hollywoodbets Athletics Club runner, Mzamo Mthembu, collapsed on the Comrades Marathon route near Pinetown and died after being taken to hospital. Also read: Comrades runner reported missing found near Durban harbour in serious condition
The South African
15 hours ago
- The South African
Comrades Marathon FEEL GOOD: Oldest finisher sets a NEW record
Comrades Marathon legend Wally Hayward's record as the oldest person to complete the iconic race fell back in 2023 having stood for 34 years. When then 81-year-old Johannes Maros Mosehla crossed the finish line that year at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, he broke Hayward's record as the oldest competitor to complete the ultra-marathon. Hayward ran 10:58:03 in 1989 when he was 80, coincidently the same year that Frith van der Merwe set the then women's 'down' record of 5:54:43. Mosehla, who represents Polokwane Athletic Club, was running in his 10th Comrades Marathon, which also made him by far the oldest person to join the prestigious Green Number Club. He was the oldest finisher of the 2022 event by six years in a more-than-respectable time of 11:31:27. A year later he confirmed he was in 'much better shape' and duly crossed the line in an impressive 9:26:10, a time that was faster than well over half of the field! Fast forward two years and Mosehla was back on the start line in Pietermaritzburg last Sunday in an attempt to break his own 'oldest ever Comrades Marathon finisher' record. And that's exactly what he did, crossing the finish line in a time of 11:47:27 – at the age of 83. As for what keeps him fit and healthy, Mosehla listed three main disciplines: watch what you eat watch how much sleep you get, and watch who you sleep with! Sunday's 98th Comrades Marathon started outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 05:30 and ended 12 hours – and 89.98km – later at People's Park in Durban. It was the 49th 'down' run. South Africa's Tete Dijana won the men's race by just five seconds from Dutchman Piet Wiersma. In the women's race, Gerda Steyn, the darling of South African ultra-distance running, won for a third consecutive year – and fourth time overall. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- The Citizen
Dolphin Coast Strider cracks top 100 in Comrades Marathon silver medal finish
Dolphin Coast Striders runner Mhlengi Khowane delivered a standout performance at this year's Comrades Marathon, finishing as the 100th-fastest male in a time of 6:26:43. Khowane, who ran his second Comrades, carved nearly 20 minutes off his 2023 debut time, earning a coveted silver medal and solidifying his status as one of the North Coast's most promising long-distance athletes. 'I am grateful to the Dolphin Coast Striders, the Holgate family and my close friends for supporting me in this journey,' said Khowane. 'This was my first down run and while it was challenging and I am still feeling the impact. I am proud of the results I achieved. Running is in my blood.' His achievement was part of a strong showing from over 150 local runners, who overcame punishing conditions and 90km of gruelling tarmac, braving the cold start and searing midday heat on Sunday. Runners included members of the Dolphin Coast Striders (140 finishers), Mandeni Harriers (13), Tongaat Panthers (6) and other locals who run for national clubs. KwaDukuza municipality revenue management director Mthandeni Nene was our second-fastest finisher, running in Nedbank Running Club colours to a time of 7:01:17 – earning one of five local silver medals. The remaining three silvers were all claimed by Striders. Jean-Marc Larche's time of 7:02:53 earned him his second silver in two attempts, while David Fick (7:22:37) and Richard Cohen (7:25:06) were thrilled to claim their first silvers on their fourth and fifth attempts respectively. Stuart Hill came agonisingly close to taking home his second silver medal, missing the 7:30 cut-off by just 24 seconds. 'In an excellent show of performance and guts, the Dolphins did our town proud. We had runners scattered throughout the field from Mhlengi to 11:59 finisher Julia Thompson,' said Striders' club captain and finisher, Nic Acampora. 'We certainly made a splash by showcasing our new club kit and our support tables were a constant envy for other runners on the course. Another wonderful year for our club at the Comrades.' Beyond speed, the Comrades is also a singular test of endurance and consistency – awarding green numbers to runners who have completed 10 editions of the race. Billy Mokoena from the Striders, Avinesh Seetharam from the Panthers and Amos Ntombela from the Harriers all joined that elite club this year with their 10th medals. They joined the Striders' Colin Goosen (43 finishes), Leon van Moerkerken (34), Vulindlele Zweni (26), Warwick Taylor (26), Siboniso Mpanza (23), Debbie Holland (22), Sibusiso Jali (19), Thembile Qhaniso (18), Joseph Mashele (15), Earl Donnelly (12), Pasma Gumede (12), Julia Thompson (12), Graeme Hall (11) and Benjamin Kilian (11), along with the Panthers' Devandran Reddy (22), as this year's double-digit finishers. South Africans claimed both overall titles at the top end of the race, with Gerda Steyn taking her fourth win and Tete Dijana securing his third. Meanwhile, 74-year-old Louis Massyn became the first runner to complete 50 Comrades and 83-year-old Johannes Mosehla became the oldest ever finisher. For a full list of results, visit Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
