Cape Town – The 98th Comrades ultra-marathon is taking place on Sunday, 8 June, following a Down run route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban over approximately 90km.
Over 22,000 runners have entered.
Defending champions Piet Wiersma and Gerda Steyn return after winning last year’s Up run.
Moments Ago: The 98th edition of the Comrades
Marathon began.It’s still dark & the winter chill is in the air, but residents are lining various parts of the route to watch and cheer on the runners.@WitnessKZN @ComradesRace #ComradesMarathon #Comrades2025 pic.twitter.com/S97RgfYdBo
— Prashalan Govender (@PrashalanGov) June 8, 2025
For the first time, the race will have two start times — 5:45am and 6am — to ease congestion in Pietermaritzburg’s narrow streets.
All participants still have 12 hours to finish the race.
And they’re off! 🚀
The Comrades Marathon 2025 Down Run has officially begun from Pietermaritzburg! Thousands of dreams, months of training, and pure grit on display. Let the Ultimate Human Race unfold! #ComradesMarathon #RoadToComrades #TheUltimateHumanRace #Comrades2025… pic.twitter.com/BAC1TEIqvt
— ComradesRace (@ComradesRace) June 8, 2025
National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola has assured that all security measures have been put in place.
Law enforcement will be active in both Pietermaritzburg and Durban, supported by helicopters, drones, K9 units, mounted patrols, and motorbikes, he said.
Masemola also wished good luck to the 444 SAPS Marathon Association members taking part and highlighted how fitness gained through marathon training strengthens the police force.
#sapsHQ The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola wishes SAPS #ComradesMarathon runners a safe journey to the finish line. 437 SAPS members will participate in the legendary ‘Ultimate Human Race’ in Pietermaritzburg, KZN on 8 June 2025.
As you stand at the… pic.twitter.com/ejpKIOQ0Wh
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) June 7, 2025
Masemola, a runner himself, noted that fitter officers benefit public safety, citing a recent case where police chased down a protester on foot in East London.
Comrades Marathon Association General Manager Alain Dalais said that this year’s race serves as a dry run for the 100th edition in 2027, with several safety-driven changes implemented — including the split start times based on seeding batches.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
