The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has officially announced important updates for the 2025 edition of The Ultimate Human Race.
Set for Sunday, 8 June 2025, the 98th running of the Comrades Marathon brings with it an exciting combination of tradition and innovation, maintaining the spirit of the race while enhancing the experience for runners and spectators alike.
2025 Route Distance Confirmed
The 2025 Comrades Marathon will be a Down Run, starting at the historic Pietermaritzburg City Hall and covering a newly confirmed distance of 89.98 kilometers.
This slight extension compared to the 87.701km of the 2023 Down Run stems from a major change in the finish location. Instead of finishing at the traditional Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, runners will now complete their journey outside People’s Park, located adjacent to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
While this year’s distance is slightly shorter than the longest Down Run ever (92km in 1971), it presents a new level of challenge and excitement.
As highlighted in our previous overview on EliteRunners, Comrades is known for its grueling course, demanding serious endurance, strategy, and mental strength from participants — and 2025 promises to uphold that reputation.
New Finish Venue at People’s Park
One of the standout changes for 2025 is the move to an open street finish outside Durban’s People’s Park. The new location offers a smoother and more celebratory finish for runners, with no steps to climb after the line — a significant relief after nearly 90 kilometers of racing.
The finish area will feature grandstands for spectators, hospitality tents, entertainment zones, and club tents neatly positioned around the finish chute. Importantly, there will be free shuttle services to assist runners with transport to parking zones, streamlining post-race logistics.
The CMA emphasized that this venue change aims to create a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere, allowing loved ones to cheer runners directly at the finish line without the crowding issues previously encountered at stadium venues.
Two-Group Start System for Safety and Flow
To improve safety and ensure better road conditions, especially early on the course at challenging spots like Polly Shortt’s Hill, the CMA will implement a two-group start.
- Group 1 will start at 5:45 AM, and
- Group 2 will follow at 6:00 AM.
Each group will have different colored bibs — orange and purple — and separate finish chutes.
Groups, however, will have the traditional 12-hour limit to complete the race, maintaining the race’s historical prestige and difficulty.
The split start is designed to create more open-road running conditions, similar to the 1990s era of the event, when congestion was far less problematic.
Additionally, it allows more daylight during the crucial early kilometers, enhancing safety and visibility.
Enhancements to Safety and Night-time Lighting
Recognizing the risks runners face as fatigue sets in toward the end of the day, the CMA has introduced extensive safety improvements.
The last 10 kilometers of the route will be illuminated with generator-powered floodlights supplementing existing streetlights, ensuring runners have a well-lit path to the finish even after sunset.
Security will also be significantly bolstered, with a dedicated security response team coordinating with SAPS and event organizers to safeguard runners and supporters along the route and near the finish precinct.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Comrades Marathon promises to deliver a truly unforgettable experience. With a slightly longer but thoughtfully planned Down Run, a festive and accessible new finish line, a safer and more efficient start, and improved night-time conditions, runners and fans can look forward to a spectacular event.
For participants, training will need to reflect the slight increase in distance and the continued challenge posed by major course features like Polly Shortt’s and Fields Hill.
Strategic pacing, mental toughness, and thorough preparation will be more important than ever.
The countdown to 8 June 2025 has officially begun, and the excitement is already tangible.
