COMRADES MARATHON INTRODUCES NEW AWARD TO RECOGNISE TOP FUNDRAISING RUNNING CLUB FOR RACE4CHARITY

The 2025 edition of the Comrades Marathon will see the introduction of a prestigious award that will inspire not just individual runners, but whole running clubs, to lace up their running shoes for a great cause as they make their way from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday 8 June.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is delighted to announce the new CMA Top Club to Raise Funds for Charity Award, which will recognise the registered running club with the highest number of individual members officially entered in the race and who each raise the minimum target of R6000 for one or more of the CMA’s six official charities, through its official Race4Charity fundraising platform. These six charities are Community Chest Durban & Pietermaritzburg, Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust, Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC), Childline KZN, Rise Against Hunger and SANParks Honorary Rangers.

Importantly, the award will be determined by the number of qualifying fundraisers per club, and not by the total amount raised by the club members, in order to promote broader participation in the challenge. Meanwhile, individual runners who sign up for the Race4Charity campaign will not only be contributing much-needed funds to their chosen charitable cause, but will also gain access to special benefits, including:

• Priority seeding at the start of the race in the C Batch.
• Exclusive Race4Charity merchandise.
• Recognition on the Comrades Marathon website and the charity’s social media platforms.

This new award underscores the CMA’s commitment to fostering a culture of giving back, and celebrating the collective efforts of the Comrades community in making a meaningful impact. The purpose of the award is therefore not just to encourage individual runners to take personal responsibility for fundraising in support of the CMA’s official charities, but also to promote a collective fundraising spirit within running clubs that aligns with the cherished Comrades ethos of camaraderie and support. This also recognises the vital role of running clubs in driving community participation.

The award will be adjudged according a number of criteria. Only funds raised through Race4Charity and in strict accordance with the CMA’s established fundraising guidelines will be considered valid for qualification. All fundraising activities must be conducted within the official CMA Charity Drive period, and the closing date for qualification for the inaugural 2025 award is 30 June. The new award will form part of the esteemed annual GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards ceremony, with the next awards ceremony scheduled to take place in October 2025.

Alain Dalais, General Manager of the Comrades Marathon Association, says, “We are incredibly excited to introduce this new award, which we believe will further amplify the charitable spirit that is so deeply embedded within the Comrades Marathon. It’s not just about the incredible athletic achievements; it’s also about the collective power of our running community to make a real difference in the lives of others. This award aims to celebrate the clubs that truly embrace this ethos, and inspire their members to contribute meaningfully.”

The CMA’s CSI and Charities Committee Chairperson, Nontuthuko Mashimane, adds, “I am deeply inspired by the introduction of the CMA Top Club award. This initiative not only celebrates the spirit of unity among running clubs, but also strengthens our collective ability to uplift communities in need. It’s heartwarming to see the Comrades Marathon Association continue to place charity at the heart of this iconic race, proving once again that every step we take – whether in the race or outside of it – can make a meaningful difference.”

The 98th Comrades Marathon takes place on Sunday, 8 June 2025. This will be the 49th Down Run, starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishing 12 hours later at Durban’s People’s Park. In the build-up to the race, running clubs are encouraged to rally their members to participate in the CMA’s official fundraising initiatives and help their clubs strive for this prestigious recognition at the GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards in October.