With just over 21 000 runners expected to line up for the 2026 Comrades Marathon in Durban on Sunday morning, the 99th running of the famous race is all set to produce its usual dose of drama and excitement. Here’s some of the stuff you need to know whether you’re running or spectating.

Three ‘Starts’
In 2026 there will be three separate group starts (one more than in 2025) with Group 1 starting at 5am, Group 2 at 5.15am and Group 3 at 5.30am. With an eye on expected big numbers for the 100th race in 2027, the three batches are designed to ease congestion and reduce the time it takes to cross the start line. Group 1 will contain 9500 runners, Group 2 6500, and Group 3 just under 5000. Batches are also smaller: In 2024 each batch contained around 1600 runners whereas in 2026 this has been reduced to 1200. “This will help us ensure that whether you’re running in a pace bus or on your own, there will be sufficient space on the road for everyone,” said Race Director, Sue Forge.

Prize Money
This year prize money was increased by 10%, with the men’s and women’s winners taking home R925 000. Total prize money is R8.2-million with additional prize money now being offered in the 70+ category. That means that if a South African runner wins the race with new Up Run and Average Pace records, he or she would pocket an incredible R2,322,000 – and could earn still more if he or she also qualifies for a team or age category prize, and the Cell C Hot Spot incentive!
“We are confident that we will be able to increase the first prize in 2027 to R1-million,” CMA board member, Rory Steyn, said.

Record Novice and Female Entries
A record number of novices and women will run the race this year. 5000 novices (23.4% of the field) and 5004 women (21.8%) are due to line up on Sunday morning in Durban. A record 95% of entrants also successfully qualified. Men still make up over 78% of the field.

Medical
In 2026, all runners were required to complete a medical form to ensure efficient medical care on the day. This is the first year that the form has been compulsory. The Comrades Marathon have also submitted an application to the Guinness Book of Records for the biggest medical facility in the world. A total of 74 doctors and 83 nurses will be part of a huge medical support staff. All of them are volunteers.

Entries
39% of the field come from Gauteng while 16.9% are from KZN. The Hollywood Bets KZN club has the largest representation with 1020 entrants. The oldest man is 84 and there are two women aged 72. The average age is 44.

Spectator Spots
The best spectator points are at Drummond, Inchanga, Cato Ridge and Camperdown. These spectator points are the most accessible, with additional security, toilets and marshals.

Refreshments
There are 49 refreshment stations manned by 5000 volunteers. A further 2000 marshals are also on the route. Elite runners will have an additional eight refreshment stations. There are 138 athletes entered in the elite field.

YouTube First
For the first time in the race’s history, the race will be broadcast live on YouTube and can be viewed anywhere in the world. Local broadcaster, SABC, will also broadcast the race live. The innovative broadcast, being run by local company TNW, will include 40 cameras, drones, camera runners who tag onto the back of the lead groups for sections, and an array of graphics that rely on the positions of key runners, including the various pace buses. The race will be broadcast live from 4.30am to 5.45pm.

2027 Numbers
Steyn confirmed during Friday’s press briefing that no decision on how many entries will be available in 2027 had been made. “This year we are trialling a lot of plans so that we can determine a safe figure,” Steyn said. “We expect that we will get north of 50 000 entries for next year.”

READ MORE ON: comrades comrades-marathon Ultras