With just 150 days to go until race day, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is excited to share an important update about the qualifying criteria for the 98th Comrades Marathon. Effective immediately, the qualifying time for the standard 42.2km marathon has been adjusted to 5 hours for all participants.
This change is designed to make the Comrades Marathon more inclusive and accessible, encouraging a wider range of athletes to take part in this iconic event on Sunday, 8 June 2025.
The decision comes after thorough consultation with key stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, and running clubs. CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo explains, “We are thrilled to make the Comrades Marathon more accessible to a broader community of runners. This change demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity and the growth of the sport.”
He adds, “The Ultimate Human Race is all about celebrating endurance, camaraderie, and perseverance. We’re confident this adjustment will inspire more runners to join us and experience the unique challenge and spirit of the Comrades Marathon.”
CMA Acting Race & Operations Manager, Alain Dalais, agrees: “This is a fantastic move that opens the race to more participants and invites greater diversity. It’s an incredible opportunity for more runners to take on this legendary challenge.”
Key dates to keep in mind:
- The final date for submitting qualifying details is Monday, 5 May 2025.
- Qualifying times must be achieved between 10 June 2024 and 5 May 2025.
To qualify, athletes need to complete a standard 42.2km marathon in under 5 hours. Be sure to submit your qualifying race time, running club details, provincial club licence number, and medical questionnaire via your entry profile on the Comrades website: www.comrades.com.
#Comrades2025 will be a Down Run, starting at Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 05:30 and finishing 12 hours later at Durban’s People’s Park. Covering approximately 89km, this will mark the 49th Down Run in the event’s storied history.
We look forward to seeing you at the starting line—ready to embrace the challenge and the camaraderie of the world’s most iconic ultramarathon!