Comrades Marathon 2027 launch: Everything you need to know

The countdown to the 100th Comrades Marathon is about to get serious.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA)  will officially launch the 2027 race on Wednesday, 19 August at 10am SAST, giving runners their first major look at what is planned for the centenary edition of The Ultimate Human Race.

The launch will be streamed live on YouTube, so whether you are a seasoned Comrades veteran, a first-time hopeful or simply fascinated by one of South Africa’s biggest sporting events, this is one to have on your calendar.

Watch the Comrades Marathon 2027 launch live on YouTube (v) from 10am on Wednesday.  

The 2027 Comrades Marathon will take place on Sunday, 13 June 2027, with the 100th edition set to be a Down Run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

The milestone race follows a record-breaking 2026 edition, which saw entries sell out in less than 10 hours. The CMA ultimately accepted 22,399 entries after accommodating runner who were already in the final stages of submitting their entries when the advertised entry cap was reached.

With the centenary race now firmly on the horizon, this week's launch marks the next major moment in the build-up to Comrades 100.

The launch will set the scene for the centenary edition of The Ultimate Human Race, with the CMA set to share the key details runners will need as they begin planning for Comrades 2027.

The Comrades Marathon has been a defining part of KwaZulu-Natal's sporting calendar for more than a century, drawing thousands of runners to the province and bringing spectators onto the roads between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.  

The CMA also recently voted to continue operating independently of both Athletics South Africa (ASA) and KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA), marking a significant moment in the race's history. While the governance decision has generated plenty of discussion within South African running circles, the 2027 launch announcement will bring clarity to any issue concerning the move to independent operations of the world's oldest and largest ultramarathon.

More than 1 000 CMA members participated in a Special General Meeting on Saturday, 1 August, where members voted to endorse a ‘Comrades-first’ approach to the future governance of the race.  The CMA says entries, qualification races, and preparations for the 2027 event continue as planned while discussions with ASA continue around sanctioning arrangements and athlete recognition. Importantly, runners are advised to keep their ASA licences active for now until further clarity is provided. 

READ: Comrades is charting its own course, but what does this mean for runners?

For runners hoping to make it onto the start line in the historic 100th race, the announcement is worth watching. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

What: Comrades Marathon 2027 official race launch

When: Wednesday, 19 August 2026

Time: 10am SAST

Where: Online via the official Comrades Marathon YouTube channel

Race date: Sunday, 13 June 2027

Race direction: Down Run, Pietermaritzburg to Durban

Why it matters: The 2027 race will be the 100th edition of the Comrades

Now, the 100th edition is on its way.

Set a reminder, and watch the Comrades Marathon 2027 launch live.

Time Out Durban will be following the announcement and updating you with the latest from Comrades 100.  

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