The race will be run on Sunday, 11 June 2023 starting at 05h30 and finishing at 17h30. The race is run from “gun to gun”.
THE CMA WILL NOT TOLERATE CHEATING IN ANY FORM and after following due process with the Chief Referee, reserves the right to declare your 2023 result null and void and not accept your entry in 2024 & 2025.
It is a “DOWN RUN” starting at the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg and finishing in Durban. The race distance is approximately 90km. The distance is subject to change and will be confirmed in the Final Race Instructions (FRI).
Entries open on 22 November 2022 at 12h00 and close on 9 December 2022.
Total number of entries will be capped at 20,000.
The entry period will close at 16h30 on 9 December 2022 or once the entry cap of 20 000 has been reached, whichever comes first.
| Entry Type | Entry fee |
|---|---|
| South Africa 2023 Entrants | R1 200 |
| Rest of Africa 2020 Entrants | R0 |
| Rest of Africa 2023 Entrants | R2 000 |
| International 2020 Entrants | R0 |
| International 2023 Entrants | R4 500 |
Entry fee is waived for holders of 25 or more Comrades medals.
ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE (unless the race is cancelled due to force majeure).
Deferred entries will only be available to returning foreign 2020 entrants who did NOT participate (attended Race Registration or started the race) in the 2022 Comrades Marathon.
N.B: This will be the last year that foreign 2020 entries will be deferred. Any valid 2020 deferred entries not utilized for this year’s (2023) event, will no longer be valid and no refunds will be entertained.
Deferred foreign entries may NOT be substituted out for this year’s event.
Entry fee is waived for holders of 25 or more Comrades medals.
ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE (unless the race is cancelled due to force majeure).
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.
The minimum age requirement is that the athlete 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 participants must be in possession of a 2023 Provincial license number from their respective 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 2023 license number to the CMA by latest 16h30 on 2 May 2023. Failure to submit these details will result in the entry being rejected.
Foreign athletes must strictly observe ASA Rule 9.
In a case where a foreign athlete is entered through a South African athletics club, it is the responsibility of the club to assist the athlete in observing ASA Rule 9.
Event organizers reserve the right to reject the entry of foreign athletes who transgress ASA Rule 9.
The Tour is of the Comrades Marathon Route on Friday morning 9 June 2023 and is ONLY for foreign athletes who have not yet completed the Comrades Marathon.
A limited number of tickets for the Tour will be available for purchase on entry on a first come first serve basis.
Each ticket costs R700 and ONLY 1 ticket will be available per entrant.
We will unfortunately no longer be able to host guests on the Tour.
For enquiries, please email bustour@comrades.com
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 for entries this year.
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 28 February 2023 in order for your entry to be finalized.
If full and final payment is not made before 16h30 on 28 February 2023, you will forfeit your entry fee (paid to date) and your partially completed entry will be deactivated and removed
The second 50% entry fee instalment can be paid at any time (before 28 February 2023) by logging into your entry profile and selecting the complete entry payment button.
NO FAX, TELEPHONIC, E-MAIL OR MANUAL ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
To qualify and participate in the 2023 Comrades Marathon, you will need to adhere to the below qualifying criteria. The cut-off date for supplying the below information in order to make your entry complete is 2 May 2023.
Update your qualifying details either by email, contacting the CMA office, online via your entry profile or by requesting your club administrator to do so for you. Qualifying details will NOT be accepted 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 2 May 2023 and particularly at Race Registration.
All runners will be seeded according to their qualifying times. Runners who have improved their qualifying times after entering may upgrade their seeding by entering the race name and their qualifying time into their entry profile 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 | |||||||||
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) will accept substitutions for the 2023 Comrades Marathon during the substitution window period of 10 March 2023 - 10 April 2023.
How it works:
Entrants who have successfully entered the 2023 Comrades Marathon will have the opportunity to withdraw from the race during the window period of 10 - 24 March 2023.
Entry slots that have been made available by withdrawing entrants will then be made available on a first come first serve basis to individuals wanting to enter the event via an online substitution entry window period of 27 March – 10 April 2023. The substitution entry fee will be the same as per the 2023 entry fees.
No late substitutions will be accepted.
Successfully substituted out athletes will NOT be allowed to reinstate their original entries.
An Admin Fee of 15% of the entry fee will be deducted by the CMA from the withdrawing athlete. The CMA will then refund 85% of the entry fee to all withdrawing athletes who have been successfully substituted. There will be no money or voucher exchange between athletes.
N.B. Deferred foreign entries may NOT be substituted out for this year’s event.
Athletes must comply with WA Rule 8, 143 and ASA Rule 3. In order to qualify for a team prize, athletes must wear their club colours, as officially registered with their provincial federation. THE TWO OFFICIAL 2023 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.
Runners must familiarize themselves with and abide by the advertising rules as per the WA and ASA Rulebooks.
These provisions apply for the duration of the race including warming up, all race ceremonies and official press conferences. Under no circumstances may a runner display a political slogan in any matter or form.
The no mobile seconding rule will be very strictly enforced. No seconds may drive, cycle, or run alongside any athlete on the route. The stand and hand rule, whereby a runner’s seconds may stand at designated points on the route and hand refreshments to their athlete while they remain stationary, will apply. No seconds may travel on the route. No pacing will be permitted. Any transgressions will lead to disqualification. Any athlete being carried or physically supported along the route and/or before the finish line will be liable for disqualification. (WA Rule 144).
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 by SMS as supplied on your entry form.
It is your personal responsibility to check your details and confirmation of entry. 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 indicated 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.
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 8 June 2023 | 10h00 - 19h00 |
| Friday 9 June 2023 | 09h00 - 19h00 |
| Saturday 10 June 2023 | 09h00 - 16h00 |
Bus tickets from Durban to the start in Pietermaritzburg and from the finish in Durban back to Pietermaritzburg after the race will be available for sale at both 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 is 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 required to board a bailer bus and be transported 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 | RUNNING TIME | TIME OF DAY | KM TO GO | KM DONE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynnfield Park | Not in play this year due to roadworks | |||
| Cato Ridge | 04:30:00 | (10h00) | 57,40km | 30,30km |
| Drummond | 06:10:00 | (11h40) | 43,33km | 44,37km |
| Winston Park | 08:10:00 | (13h40) | 30km | 57,70km |
| Pinetown | 09:20:00 | (14h50) | 18,84km | 68,86km |
| Sherwood | 11:00:00 | (16h30) | 6,39km | 81,31km |
The final cut-off is 12 hours (17h30). If you have not reached the Finish before the 12-hour cut-off, you must leave the route and retire from the race immediately. Failure to do so will jeopardise your participation in future years.
Your Final Race Instructions form part of the rules of the race and will be emailed to you, available on the Comrades Marathon website www.comrades.com and will be included in your race pack. All rules included in the (FRI) supersede the Entry Form rules.
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 500 000,00 | R 500 000,00 |
| Position 2 | R 250 000,00 | R 250 000,00 |
| Position 3 | R 180 000,00 | R 180 000,00 |
| Position 4 | R 90 000,00 | R 90 000,00 |
| Position 5 | R 70 000,00 | R 70 000,00 |
| Position 6 | R 40 000,00 | R 40 000,00 |
| Position 7 | R 35 000,00 | R 35 000,00 |
| Position 8 | R 30 000,00 | R 30 000,00 |
| Position 9 | R 25 000,00 | R 25 000,00 |
| Position 10 | R 20 000,00 | R 20 000,00 |
Should the Winners (man and woman) of the 2023 Comrades Marathon break the Best Time previously recorded for the “Down Run”, he or she will receive a cash payment of R 500 000,00
THE BEST “DOWN RUN” TIME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED
05:18:19 by David Gatebe in 2016
05:54:43 by Frith Van der Merwe in 1989
An athlete is not eligible for a prize in more than one age category, i.e., an athlete 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. An athlete, 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 2 May 2023, you will be entered in the age category of your chronological age.
An athlete 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 |
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 an athlete must compete wearing officially registered club colours. The domicile rule will be strictly enforced. Athletes registered on the current ASA National List must comply with ASA Rules 6.3.1 and 6.3.8.
Team prizes and rules pertaining to the awarding thereof will be detailed in the (FRI). Only valid for 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 |
| Professional | ||
| 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 a cash payment of R 200 000,00.
The first KwaZulu-Natal athlete (man and woman) to complete the event will each receive R60 000,00 from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
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 KZN who is registered on the current ASA National List but is a member of a club in another province (ASA Rule 6.3.1 and 6.3.8).
All prizes including prize money, trophies and/or special medals will only be issued once Doping Control results (whether 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 Comrades Marathon Amabeadibeadi Campaign consists of five official charities namely:
CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa), Community Chest Durban & Pietermaritzburg, Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust, Rise Against Hunger and Wildtrust.
The Race - 4 - Charity campaign is intended to foster wider support for charitable fundraising for the CMA’s five official charities. An exciting facet to this campaign is that runners can improve their seeding to C batch, while raising funds for a worthy cause. The CMA has reserved 500 entries for runners, who need to raise a minimum of R 6000.00 each. To create a fundraising page, log into your entry profile via the Comrades Marathon website and click on Race4Charity Information. Runners will have until 2 May 2023 to sign up and raise funds. Please note that normal race and qualifying rules still apply and there are no refunds, should a runner fail to qualify or raise the minimum amount.
For more information and details on our charity initiative, please visit www.comrades.com
