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If the 2027 Comrades Marathon is already pencilled into your running calendar, there’s a new Durban race you’ll want to know about.
The Pick n Pay Durban Sunrise Run returns to the Durban beachfront on Saturday, 26 September 2026, with a major new addition: a 42km marathon that serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Comrades Marathon.
That could make the race particularly appealing to runners hoping to get their Comrades qualifying time sorted early — especially with the 2027 race marking the 100th running of the Comrades Marathon.
Now in its sixth year, the Durban Sunrise Run will start and finish at the Amphitheatre on the Durban Promenade, with the 42km route covering two laps. There will also be 21km and 10km races for runners who aren’t quite ready to take on the full marathon.
READ: Comrades Marathon 2027 gets a new Kings Park finish and its biggest field yet
A new 42km Comrades qualifier in Durban
The event is organised by DHS Old Boys Running Club in partnership with B-Active Events, with Pick n Pay joining as the title sponsor for 2026.
For runners, the timing of the new marathon is one of its biggest attractions.
“When Damian (Bradley) asked for Oldies to partner, I suggested we add the marathon in a cooler time of year here in Durban,” says DHS Old Boys Running Club captain Jamie Wardell.
“The timing allows people to recover from Comrades and then slowly begin to build up and tick the qualifying box for the 100th Comrades as well as Two Oceans.”
The marathon also provides runners with a potential qualifying opportunity for the 2027 Two Oceans Marathon, subject to meeting the race’s qualifying requirements.
For those targeting multiple big races, getting a qualifying marathon done in September could help take some of the pressure off later in the year.
“Having qualified for these events before the festive break takes a lot of pressure off trying to regain fitness to qualify in the hot summer months,” Wardell adds.
READ: Blanche Moila: The South African runner still breaking barriers at 70
A Durban beachfront run with a post-race party
The race starts at the Amphitheatre on Durban’s iconic promenade, with the route taking runners along the beachfront and past Pick n Pay Hyper, the retailer’s flagship KwaZulu-Natal store.
And because the race falls over the Heritage Day long weekend, organisers are planning more than just a finish-line medal.
“We’re in the final stages of planning a post-race party! Keep an eye on @oldiesrunning Instagram for details. This will be an Oldies style celebration of running!” says Wardell.
So, if you’re taking on the 42km, you might want to save a little energy for the celebrations afterwards.
What you need to know
- Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
- Starting point: Amphitheatre, Durban Promenade
- Distances: 42km, 21km and 10km
- 42km qualifier: The marathon is a qualifying race for the 2027 Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans Marathon
- Goodie bag: The first 2 000 entrants receive a Pick n Pay goodie bag and Custom Race SOX
- Entries: Available through B-Active Events, Webtickets, and selected Pick n Pay stores
For runners with their sights firmly set on the 2027 Comrades Marathon, September could be the perfect time to get that all-important qualifying marathon done, dusted and off the list.
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