A big change for the 2025 Comrades Marathon

Updated March 7, 2025, 5:45 a.m. | By East Coast Breakfast

The Comrades Marathon Association has announced a big change to this year’s race event. Here's what we know.

Comrades Marathon 25 — ChrisVanLennepPhoto / iStock

The Comrades Marathon is making history in 2025 with a major change, as the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) announces the introduction of two separate race starts.

This new approach is designed to improve the race experience, ease congestion, and ensure safety for all runners in the world’s most famous ultramarathon.

Both groups will still start at the traditional Pietermaritzburg City Hall, the official starting point for the 49th Down Run.

However, instead of one mass start, runners will set off in two waves: the first at 05:45 am, followed by the second at 06:00 am.

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This staggered start is a direct response to the growing number of participants and aims to create a smoother flow along the route, reducing bottlenecks and making it easier for runners to maintain their pace.

The decision was made after extensive consultation with experts and the CMA’s race advisory committee.

CMA general manager, Alain Dalais, explains: “This change reflects our ongoing commitment to improving both safety and the overall race experience. We believe the two starts will allow for a more enjoyable and efficient race day for everyone.”

More details on how runners will be placed in each start wave, as well as updates on qualifying times, cut-offs, and the final route, will be announced soon.

The 98th Comrades Marathon takes place on Sunday, June 8, 2025, starting in Pietermaritzburg and finishing 12 hours later at Durban’s People’s Park.

Keep an eye on the official Comrades Marathon website and other CMA communication channels for further updates.

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