Comrades Marathon's 100th race will have its biggest field and most women ever
28,070 runners are in for 13 June 2027, from 56,283 applications. Women make up almost 30% of the field.
Durban — The 100th Comrades Marathon, on Sunday 13 June 2027, will be the largest ever staged. The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has confirmed 28,070 entries from 56,283 applications.
First run in 1921, Comrades is the world's oldest and largest ultramarathon, alternating between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The centenary race is a "down run" to Durban, which itself marks 50 years.
How the places were filled
- Runners with ten or more medals, and those going for their tenth, entered first: 4,566 places.
- 1,018 charity entries, each with a R10,000 donation. This year's charity drive raised just over R7 million for six organisations.
- CMA members: 7,897 places.
- A public ballot of 42,802 applicants for the remaining 14,519 places, run under independent audit.
Women make up almost 30% of the field, up 7.5 percentage points, the highest share in the race's history. Entries from the rest of Africa and abroad have also grown. Race director Sue Forge said more places may open through the official withdrawal and substitution process next year.
Source: Daily Maverick, 28 October 2026.
