Here’s everything you need to know about the start of the 2026 Comrades Marathon, from the arrival of runners to the correct team classification according to start times.
1 FIRST PLACE
The starting point of the race will be in front of Durban City Hall, on Dr Pixley Ka Seme (West) Street, with the athletes facing north-west, Pietermaritzburg. The official finishing point is the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse, in Pietermaritzburg, and the distance of the route is 85.777km.
2 STARTING PROCEDURE The 2026 Comrades Marathon will have a starting format of three teams, with 15 minutes between each team:
Group 1: 05h00
Groups A to G – purple square in race numbers. About 9952 runners will make up Group 1 The Elite field will line up ahead of Group A
Group 2: 05h15
Batches H to M – orange square in race numbers Approximately 6704 runners will start in Group 2 Green Numbers runners and Race4Charity runners will line up in Batch H
Group 3: 05h30
Groups N to R – blue square in race numbers Approximately 4972 runners will be in Group 3