Comrades 2025 to introduce two starts

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) have announced a change for the 2025 Comrades Marathon with the introduction of two race starts.

This innovative approach aims to enhance the race experience for all participants in the world’s biggest, oldest and most famous ultramarathon and ensure a smoother, safer, more efficient event.

For the first time in the history of The Ultimate Human Race, there will be a separate start for each of the two groups of athletes in this year’s race. However, they will both take place at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall, which is the start venue of the 49th Comrades Marathon Down Run.

To accommodate the two starts, the race will feature staggered start times, in keeping with the increasing field of participants, year on year. The first wave of runners will begin at 5.45 am, followed by the second wave 15 minutes later at 6 am. This staggered approach will help manage the flow of runners and reduce congestion on the course.

To ensure the ongoing great experience and world-class safety measures that have become synonymous with the Comrades Marathon, experts have been consulted and plenty of behind-the-scenes work has been undertaken, which has led to this year’s two-start decision.

Various race start options have also been explored at great length by the CMA’s Race Advisory Committee with the change expected to enhance safety and allow runners to maintain their pace more comfortably. 

CMA General Manager Alain Dalais said: “This change reflects our commitment to continuously improving the safety measures and the overall race experience for our participants. We believe the two starts will provide a safer, more enjoyable and efficient race day for everyone involved."

The CMA encourages all participants to familiarise themselves with the new starting procedures and to plan accordingly. Previous seeding will not be relevant and more specific communications around the process will be issued as soon as possible. Owing to ongoing roadworks, there is a delay in the finalisation of the Comrades route but this will be confirmed timeously for athletes to plan properly.

Detailed information will be provided on the official Comrades Marathon website and through various communication channels, including updates on seeding, qualifying and cut-offs.

The 98th Comrades Marathon takes place on Sunday, 8 June 2025. This is the 49th Down Run, starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishing 12 hours later at Durban’s People’s Park.

© Comrades Marathon