The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has announced that entries for next year’s 99th running of The Ultimate Human Race will open on Monday, 27 October 2025, exclusively for Green Number Club runners and CMA Members.
One week later, on 3 November, the broader field of hopefuls will get their turn to chase a coveted spot in the 22,000-runner cap, with entries closing on 28 November or sooner if that limit is reached. This will be the only entry window for the 2026 race — no second chances once the field is full.
“This early entry window is a token of appreciation to all Green Number Club athletes and CMA Members for their many years of loyalty and dedication to The Ultimate Human Race,” said CMA General Manager Alain Dalais.
“We are incredibly proud of our Green Number Club members and inspired by their commitment. Similarly, we value and appreciate our CMA Members, who take a greater interest in everything to do with the event.”
Dalais added that only CMA members who signed up or renewed by 23 October 2025 will qualify for the early entry privilege.
A Nod to the Legends
The Green Number Club represents the race’s elite, those who’ve crossed the finish line at least 10 times, earned five gold medals, or even won three times.
For the second year running, these veterans will enjoy pole position on the entry grid, joined for the first time by paid-up CMA members.
Entry Fees Unchanged
Runners can enter via the Comrades website or mobile app, and in a welcome move for cash-strapped athletes, entry fees remain unchanged for the third consecutive year.
“In our continuing effort to make the race accessible to as many runners as we can, we’ve kept the entry fees the same since 2023,” said Dalais.
“And as further reward for exceptional commitment, the entry fee is waived for holders of 25 or more Comrades medals.”
Entry fees for 2026:
- South Africa: R1200
- Rest of Africa: R2000
- International: R4500
Runners can pay upfront or split the cost in two instalments, with the final payment due by end-February 2026. The Comrades Runners’ Relief Fund will again assist up to 1,500 disadvantaged athletes with reduced fees of up to 50%.
Qualification and Substitution
To qualify for the 2026 race, runners must complete an officially timed 42.2km marathon in under five hours between 9 June 2025 (the day after the 2025 race) and 4 May 2026. That same date also marks the deadline for submitting qualification details, club updates, and seeding upgrades.
For those who change their race plans, the substitution window will operate in two stages:
- Withdrawals: 16–30 March 2026
- Substitutions: 1–15 April 2026
“The athlete substituting in will pay the full 2026 entry fee to the CMA,” said Dalais.
“The withdrawing athlete will be charged an administrative fee of 15%, and refunded the remaining 85%. No money or vouchers will be exchanged between athletes.”
The Road Ahead: Ska Fela Moya
The 2026 Comrades Marathon will be a milestone event being the 99th running and the 50th Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
Starting at 5:30am in front of Durban City Hall, runners will have 12 hours to conquer roughly 87km of relentless hills before finishing at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse.
Next year’s campaign slogan, Ska Fela Moya which in Setswana means Don’t Give Up. This perfectly captures the heart of this legendary footrace: a test of endurance, grit, and sheer willpower that has defined South African road running for almost a century.
