The race will be run on Sunday, 9 June 2024 starting at 05h30 and finishing at 17h30.
It is an “UP RUN” starting at the City Hall in Durban and finishing in Pietermaritzburg. The race distance is approximately 85,9km. This distance is subject to change and will be confirmed in the Final Race Instructions (FRI).
Entries open on 21 November 2023 at 10h00 and will close on 11 December 2023 at 16h30.
Total number of entries will be capped at 23 000.
The entry period will close at 16h30 on 11 December 2023 or once the entry cap of 23 000 has been reached, whichever comes first.
| ENTRY TYPE | ENTRY FEE |
|---|---|
| South Africa Entrants | R1 200 |
| Rest of Africa Entrants | R2 000 |
| International Entrants | R4 500 |
Entry fee is waived for holders of 25 or more Comrades medals.
An entry service provider fee will be charged on the entry over and above the entry fee cost.
ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE (unless the race is cancelled due to force majeure). No entry transfers or deferrals will be allowed.
Any irregularities or falsely supplied information in your entry will result in a rejected entry and/or race result. The Comrades Marathon Association reserves the right to accept or reject any entry, subject to the Rules of WA, ASA, KZNA and CMA.
Participants must be 20 years or older on the day of the Comrades Marathon.
For South African entrants, the Comrades Marathon is restricted to club registered runners only. All South African entrants must be in possession of a 2024 permanent Provincial issued license number from their respective Provincial federations. The domicile rule will be strictly enforced. No athlete may run for a club other than a club registered in the province in which they are domiciled unless they are registered on the current ASA National Athlete List. Entrants MUST submit their club name and 2024 issued license number to the CMA by latest 16h30 on 6 May 2024. Failure to submit this information will result in the entry being rejected.
Foreign athletes must strictly observe all WA and ASA Competition Rules and Technical Rules, including those rules and regulations relating to advertising and marketing as per the WA Advertising Regulations.
Where foreign athletes are entered through a South African athletics club, it is the responsibility of the club to assist the athlete in observing the above rules.
The CMA reserve the right to reject the entry and/or nullify the result of foreign athletes who transgress any of the above rules.
A tour of the Comrades Marathon Route will take place on Friday, 7 June 2024 and will be available ONLY to novice foreign athletes who have not yet participated in the Comrades Marathon.
A limited number of tickets for the tour will be available for purchase on entry on a first come first served basis.
Each ticket will cost R800 and ONLY 1 ticket will be available per entrant. Only participants in the event (i.e. no guests) will be accommodated.
For enquiries, please email bustour@comrades.com
Your Final Race Instructions form part of the race rules and will be emailed to you, be available on the Comrades Marathon website www.comrades.com and will be included in your race pack.
ONLINE ENTRIES ONLY
Enter online at www.comrades.com or via the Comrades Marathon App – available for download via the Google Play and Apple App Store.
To enter you will require either a Debit / Credit card (Visa / MasterCard) or utilize the online entry instant EFT method.
50% Entry Fee only Part Payment Option:
A 50% Entry Fee only Part Payment option will be made available. Once you have reached the end of the online entry process you will have the option of selecting to either pay your entry fee in full OR over two instalments. The second entry fee instalment (outstanding balance) must be paid by no later than 16h30 on 29 February 2024 in order for your entry to be finalized.
If full and final payment is not made before 16h30 on 29 February 2024, you will forfeit your entry fee (paid to date) and your entry will be deactivated and removed from the entry system.
The second 50% entry fee instalment can be paid at any time (before 29 February 2024) by logging into your entry profile and selecting the complete entry payment button.
NO POSTAL, FAX, TELEPHONIC, E-MAIL OR MANUAL ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
To qualify and participate in the 2024 Comrades Marathon, you will need to adhere to the qualifying criteria below. The cut-off date for supplying the below information in order to make your entry complete is 6 May 2024.
Update your qualifying details either by using your online entry profile, email, contacting the CMA office, or by requesting your club administrator to do so for you by 6 May 2024.
Qualifying details will NOT be accepted at any stage after 6 May 2024 especially at Race Registration.
Qualifying Criteria:
| DISTANCE OF RACE | TIME |
|---|---|
| 42.2km | 4:49:59 |
| 48-50km | 5:49:59 |
| 52-54km | 6:24:59 |
| 56km | 6:44:59 |
| 60km | 7:19:59 |
| 64km | 7:54:59 |
| 68km | 8:29:59 |
| 80km | 10:24:59 |
| 90km | 11:59:59 |
| 100km | 13:29:59 |
Failure to meet the above stipulated qualifying criteria will result in your entry being rejected.
You will not be able to participate, your details will be removed from our entry database, and you will NOT receive a goodie bag or runner’s t-shirt.
No seeding upgrades will be accepted after 6 May 2024 and particularly at Race Registration.
If you have participated in any FinishTime (Pty) Ltd timed events, we will attempt to automatically update your qualifying time onto your entry profile. All other qualifying times will be submitted for verification to the running club with which you are registered. It however still remains the participants responsibility to ensure their qualifying details are updated accordingly before 6 May 2024.
Only official results, as published, will be accepted (i.e. no Garmin, Strava or any other personal device information).
All entrants will be seeded according to their qualifying times. Entrants who have improved their qualifying times after entering may upgrade their seeding by entering the race name and their qualifying time onto their entry profile before 6 May 2024 via the Comrades Marathon website or Comrades App.
| QUALIFYING RACE DISTANCE | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batch | 42.2 km | 48 - 50 km | 52 - 54 km | 56 km | 60 km | 64 km | 68 km | 80 km | 90km | 100 km |
| A | 2:59:59 | 3:39:59 | 3:59:59 | 4:04:59 | 4:34:59 | 4:54:59 | 5:19:59 | 6:29:59 | 7:29:59 | 8:14:59 |
| B | 3:19:59 | 3:59:59 | 4:19:59 | 4:34:59 | 4:59:59 | 5:24:59 | 5:49:59 | 7:09:59 | 8:14:59 | 9:14:59 |
| C | 3:39:59 | 4:24:59 | 4:49:59 | 4:59:59 | 5:24:59 | 5:49:59 | 6:19:59 | 7:44:59 | 8:59:59 | 10:14:59 |
| D | 3:59:59 | 4:49:59 | 5:14:59 | 5:29:59 | 5:59:59 | 6:29:59 | 6:59:59 | 8:29:59 | 9:44:59 | 10:59:59 |
| E | GREEN NUMBER CLUB | |||||||||
| F | 4:19:59 | 5:14:59 | 5:44:59 | 5:59:59 | 6:29:59 | 6:59:59 | 7:29:59 | 9:09:59 | 10:29:59 | 11:44:59 |
| G | 4:34:59 | 5:34:59 | 6:04:59 | 6:24:59 | 6:59:59 | 7:34:59 | 8:09:59 | 9:59:59 | 11:29:59 | 12:29:59 |
| H | 4:49:59 | 5:49:59 | 6:24:59 | 6:44:59 | 7:19:59 | 7:54:59 | 8:29:59 | 10:24:59 | 11:59:59 | 13:29:59 |
| IRONMAN QUALIFYING TABLE | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batch | Marathon Leg Of Ironman | |||||||||
| A | 3:30:00 | |||||||||
| B | 3:50:00 | |||||||||
| C | 4:15:00 | |||||||||
| D | 4:40:00 | |||||||||
| E - GREEN NUMBER CLUB | ||||||||||
| F | 5:00:00 | |||||||||
| G | 5:20:00 | |||||||||
| H | Official Finisher over 5:20:00 | |||||||||
All entrants must provide accurate information, including age, gender, qualifying race, qualifying time, club registration, place of domicile and emergency contact information, when applying for entry to the race. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your entry and registration being rejected.
The CMA will accept substitutions for the 2024 Comrades Marathon during the period of 15 March – 15 April 2024.
How it works:
Entrants must comply with all WA and ASA Competition and Technical Rules and Regulations. Entrants must, familiarize themselves with and abide by the WA Advertising Regulations.
In order to qualify for a team prize, participants must wear their club colours, as officially registered with their Provincial federation. These rules will apply for the duration of the race including warming up, all race ceremonies and official press conferences.
THE TWO OFFICIAL 2024 COMRADES MARATHON RACE NUMBERS MUST BE WORN ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF YOUR UPPER BODY GARMENT THROUGHOUT THE RACE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RULE WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION. It will not be necessary for entrants to wear their ASA licence number for the duration of the event.
Under no circumstances may a runner display a political slogan in any manner or form. Failure to abide by this rule may result in disqualification.
The no mobile (or “stand and hand”) seconding rule will be strictly enforced. No seconds may drive, cycle, or run alongside any participant on the route nor carry race nutrition and/or hydration on behalf of a participant. A participant’s seconds may stand at designated points on the route and hand refreshments to the participant while the seconds remain stationary. No seconds may travel on the race route. No pacing will be permitted. Any transgressions of these rules will lead to disqualification.
Any athlete being carried or physically supported along the route and/or before the finish line may be disqualified.
Entries can be confirmed on the Comrades Marathon website www.comrades.com by viewing the “Entry List” or via the Comrades App by searching for your name. Entries will also be acknowledged to valid e-mail addresses and/or SMS or by other electronic communication means as supplied on your entry form.
It is your personal responsibility to check your details and confirmation of entry on or before 6 May 2024. If any of the details are incorrect, login to your entry profile using your username and password and correct your details or contact the CMA office. Print out your entry confirmation email as this will be required at Race Registration.
You must collect your two Comrades Marathon race numbers, race t-shirt and Goodie Bag from the registration venue you have selected on your entry form.
All runners MUST provide acceptable proof of identification to collect their race number pack e.g., ID book/card, Passport or Driver’s License, along with your race entry confirmation.
Race Packs and T-Shirts will only be available at Registration to individuals who have officially qualified to participate. Race Packs will not be distributed outside of Registration.
NO race numbers will be issued on race day.
| DURBAN | PIETERMARITZBURG |
|---|---|
| Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC) 11 Walnut Road Durban |
Comrades Marathon House 18 Connaught Road Scottsville Pietermaritzburg |
| DATES & TIMES | |
|---|---|
| Thursday 6 June 2024 | 10h00 - 19h00 |
| Friday 7 June 2024 | 09h00 - 19h00 |
| Saturday 8 June 2024 | 09h00 - 16h00 |
Bus tickets from Pietermaritzburg to the start in Durban and from the finish in Pietermaritzburg back to Durban after the race will be available for sale at both race registration venues. No tickets will be available for sale on race day. Further information will be provided in the FRI, on the Comrades Marathon website www.comrades.com and App once available.
The race will be run from “Gun to Gun”. The cut-off times for the below points will be confirmed in the FRI. The CMA reserves the right to alter these positions and times.
Runners will be ushered off the route and will be required to board a bailer bus for transportation to the finish venue should they not have reached the cut-off points within the specified time.
The cut-off points will be clearly sign posted.
| CUT - OFF | ESTIMATED RUNNING TIME | TIME OF DAY |
|---|---|---|
| St John's Avenue Subway (Pinetown) | 02:40:00 | 08h10 |
| Winston Park | 04:30:00 | (10h00) |
| Drummond (Halfway) | 06:10:00 | (11h40) |
| N3 Subway - Cato Ridge | 08:10:00 | (13h40) |
| Umlaas Road Interchange | 09:30:00 | (15h00) |
| Top of Polly Shortts | 11:10:00 | (16h40) |
The final cut-off is 12 hours (17h30). If you have not reached the finish line before the 12-hour cut-off, you must leave the route and retire from the race immediately. Failure to do so may jeopardise your participation in future years.
GENERAL AWARDS
Badges and Medals will be awarded to all official finishers who complete the full distance within the 12-hour cut-off.
| MEDALS | |
|---|---|
| Gold | First 10 Men and Women |
| Wally Hayward (Men) Isavel-Roche Kelly (Women) |
Position 11 to sub 6hrs 00min Position 11 to sub 7hrs 30min |
| Silver (Men Only) | 6hrs 00min to sub 7hrs 30min |
| Bill Rowan | 7hrs 30min to sub 9hrs 00min |
| Robert Mtshali | 9hrs 00min to sub 10hrs 00min |
| Bronze | 10hrs 00min to sub 11hrs 00min |
| Vic Clapham | 11hrs 00min to sub 12hrs 00min |
| PRIZE MONEY | ||
|---|---|---|
| POSITION | MEN | WOMEN |
| Position 1 | R 550 000,00 | R 550 000,00 |
| Position 2 | R 275 000,00 | R 275 000,00 |
| Position 3 | R 198 000,00 | R 198 000,00 |
| Position 4 | R 99 000,00 | R 99 000,00 |
| Position 5 | R 77 000,00 | R 77 000,00 |
| Position 6 | R 44 000,00 | R 44 000,00 |
| Position 7 | R 38 500,00 | R 38 500,00 |
| Position 8 | R 33 000,00 | R 33 000,00 |
| Position 9 | R 27 500,00 | R 27 500,00 |
| Position 10 | R 22 000,00 | R 22 000,00 |
Should the winners (man and woman) of the 2024 Comrades Marathon break the Best Time previously recorded for the “Up Run”, he or she will receive an additional cash payment of R550 000,00.
THE BEST “UP RUN” TIME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
5:24:49 by Leonid Shvetsov in 2008
5:58:53 by Gerda Steyn in 2019
A participant will not be eligible for a prize in more than one age category, i.e., a participant is only eligible for a prize in the age category applicable to him/her or the younger category chosen by him/her as indicated on the official race number/bib. A participant, male or female, who finishes the race in first to tenth position, may, however, win his/her position prize as well as any applicable age category prize.
Unless you specifically request in writing to CMA organisers to change your age category to a lower age category, by 6 May 2024, you will be entered in the age category of your chronological age.
A participant must provide positive identification to verify proof of age. These rules apply to both individual and team categories.
| POSITION | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| 40 - 49 years | ||
| Position 1 | R 20 000,00 | R 20 000,00 |
| Position 2 | R 12 000,00 | R 12 000,00 |
| Position 3 | R 6 000,00 | R 6 000,00 |
| 50 - 59 years | ||
| Position 1 | R 12 000,00 | R 12 000,00 |
| Position 2 | R 6 000,00 | R 6 000,00 |
| Position 3 | R 4 000,00 | R 4 000,00 |
| 60 years + | ||
| Position 1 | R 6 000,00 | R 6 000,00 |
| Position 2 | R 4 000,00 | R 4 000,00 |
| Position 3 | R 3 000,00 | R 3 000,00 |
| 70+ years | ||
| Position 1 | R 5 000,00 | R 5 000,00 |
All team prizes will be calculated on the combined times of the first four (4) club members to finish in the 20-39 category and the first four (4) club members to finish in the 40+ category. In order to qualify for a team prize a participant must compete wearing officially registered club colours. The domicile rule will be strictly enforced with the exception of those participants registered on the current ASA National Athlete List.
Team prizes and rules pertaining to the awarding thereof will be detailed in the FRI. Team prizes will only be awarded to South African citizens.
| TEAMS (Recreational Clubs) | ||
|---|---|---|
| POSITION | MEN | WOMEN |
| 20-39 years | ||
| 1st team | R 16 000,00 | R 16 000,00 |
| 2nd team | R 12 000,00 | R 12 000,00 |
| Over 40 years | ||
| 1st team | R 12 000,00 | R 12 000,00 |
| TEAMS (Professional Clubs) | ||
| 1st team | R 37 000,00 | R 37 000,00 |
The first South African citizen (man and woman) to complete the event will each receive an additional R 200 000,00 in prize money.
The first three KwaZulu-Natal Athletes (men and women, as defined below) to complete the event will each receive additional prize money from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, provided they finish within the top 30 men and women.
A KwaZulu – Natal Athlete shall be defined as an athlete domiciled in the province of KwaZulu–Natal and licensed by KwaZulu–Natal Athletics, and includes any athlete domiciled in KwaZulu Natal who is registered on the current ASA National List but is a member of a club in another province.
| POSITION | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Position 1 | R60 000,00 | R60 000,00 |
| Position 2 | R40 000,00 | R40 000,00 |
| Position 3 | R20 000,00 | R20 000,00 |
All prizes including prize money, trophies and/or special medals will only be issued once Doping Control results (whether the athlete is tested or not) have been received and subject to clearance. All prize money is subject to South African tax laws and may take up to 3 months to process.
THE CMA WILL NOT TOLERATE CHEATING IN ANY FORM which includes, but is not limited to, starting the race in a faster starting batch that you are allocated, and following consultation with the Chief Referee (to the extent required in terms of the WA, ASA,KZNA and CMA Rules) reserves the right to declare your 2024 result null and void and to reject your entry to future events.
