The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) this week officially launched the 2026 edition of the iconic ultramarathon between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
The race will take place on Sunday, 14 June 2026. The launch, held at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg, was attended by administrators, sponsors, athletes, government officials and media, and featured the unveiling of the 2026 race campaign, Ska Fela Moya – Setswana for Don’t Give Up. The slogan was selected from over 200 submissions from the running community.
A heartfelt tribute was paid to the late Cheryl Winn, the 1982 women’s winner and former CMA Chair who passed away three days earlier. Winn, regarded as the matriarch of the Comrades Marathon, devoted more than 30 years to the race and served on several CMA committees until her passing.
The 2026 Comrades will be an Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, covering roughly 87 kilometres. It will be the 50th Up Run and the 99th overall edition of the race, first held in 1921. Many athletes are expected to use it as preparation for the 100th centenary edition in 2027.
“The 2026 race promises to be another exciting chapter in the world’s greatest ultramarathon,” said CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo. “We are committed to ensuring a safe and memorable experience with enhanced support, medical, and safety measures in place.”
Ngcobo added that the slogan Ska Fela Moya perfectly captures the Comrades spirit: “Every runner faces moments of doubt, but the determination to not give up defines this race and our South African resilience.”
Entries and Fees
Entries open in stages from 27 October to 26 November 2025, capped at 22,000 runners. Green Number Club members and CMA Members may enter first, with general entries opening 3 November. Entry fees remain unchanged from previous years:
South African entrants: R1 200
Rest of Africa: R2 000
International entrants: R4 500
Runners can pay in one or two instalments via the Comrades website or app. The Comrades Runners’ Relief Fund will again assist up to 1,500 disadvantaged athletes with discounted entries.
Qualification runs from 9 June 2025 to 4 May 2026 and requires completion of a standard 42.2km marathon in under five hours. Substitutions will be accepted from 1 to 15 April 2026, following a withdrawal period from 16 to 30 March.
Prize Money and Charity Drive
Prize money has increased by 10% across all categories. Winners in both the men’s and women’s races will each earn R925,000, with additional incentives for breaking Up Run records. The total prize purse now stands at R8.19 million.
Since 1996, the Comrades AmaBeadiBeadi Charity Drive has raised over R84 million for charity. Runners are encouraged to support one of the six official charities in 2026: CHOC, Childline KZN, Community Chest, Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, Rise Against Hunger, and SANParks Honorary Rangers.
“The Comrades Marathon is more than a race – it’s a symbol of hope and humanity,” said Ngcobo. “We challenge every runner to carry that spirit forward and make 2026 a record year for fundraising.”
The race will take place on Sunday, 14 June 2026. The launch, held at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg, was attended by administrators, sponsors, athletes, government officials and media, and featured the unveiling of the 2026 race campaign, Ska Fela Moya – Setswana for Don’t Give Up. The slogan was selected from over 200 submissions from the running community.
A heartfelt tribute was paid to the late Cheryl Winn, the 1982 women’s winner and former CMA Chair who passed away three days earlier. Winn, regarded as the matriarch of the Comrades Marathon, devoted more than 30 years to the race and served on several CMA committees until her passing.
The 2026 Comrades will be an Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, covering roughly 87 kilometres. It will be the 50th Up Run and the 99th overall edition of the race, first held in 1921. Many athletes are expected to use it as preparation for the 100th centenary edition in 2027.
“The 2026 race promises to be another exciting chapter in the world’s greatest ultramarathon,” said CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo. “We are committed to ensuring a safe and memorable experience with enhanced support, medical, and safety measures in place.”
Ngcobo added that the slogan Ska Fela Moya perfectly captures the Comrades spirit: “Every runner faces moments of doubt, but the determination to not give up defines this race and our South African resilience.”
Entries and Fees
Entries open in stages from 27 October to 26 November 2025, capped at 22,000 runners. Green Number Club members and CMA Members may enter first, with general entries opening 3 November. Entry fees remain unchanged from previous years:
South African entrants: R1 200
Rest of Africa: R2 000
International entrants: R4 500
Runners can pay in one or two instalments via the Comrades website or app. The Comrades Runners’ Relief Fund will again assist up to 1,500 disadvantaged athletes with discounted entries.
Qualification runs from 9 June 2025 to 4 May 2026 and requires completion of a standard 42.2km marathon in under five hours. Substitutions will be accepted from 1 to 15 April 2026, following a withdrawal period from 16 to 30 March.
Prize Money and Charity Drive
Prize money has increased by 10% across all categories. Winners in both the men’s and women’s races will each earn R925,000, with additional incentives for breaking Up Run records. The total prize purse now stands at R8.19 million.
Since 1996, the Comrades AmaBeadiBeadi Charity Drive has raised over R84 million for charity. Runners are encouraged to support one of the six official charities in 2026: CHOC, Childline KZN, Community Chest, Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, Rise Against Hunger, and SANParks Honorary Rangers.
“The Comrades Marathon is more than a race – it’s a symbol of hope and humanity,” said Ngcobo. “We challenge every runner to carry that spirit forward and make 2026 a record year for fundraising.”
