Comrades Marathon, South Africa | 209 Events
2:09 Events Limited

Comrades Marathon, South Africa

Date: 11 June, 2023

After the cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021, Comrades, the world's most famous and most popular Ultra run, moved to a August date in 2022. Next year it returns to its traditional June date. Officially it's called a Marathon, but Comrades is much more than a marathon, literally and figuratively. It is a notoriously tough 90 kilometre run through the stunning Drakensburg Mountains of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. But it's more than just a running race, it's a unique cultural experience …

After the cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021, Comrades, the world's most famous and most popular Ultra run, moved to a August date in 2022. Next year it returns to its traditional June date.

Officially it's called a Marathon, but Comrades is much more than a marathon, literally and figuratively. It is a notoriously tough 90 kilometre run through the stunning Drakensburg Mountains of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. But it's more than just a running race, it's a unique cultural experience and one steeped in history which dates back to its first running in 1921 when it was run to remember fallen comrades from the First World War. 

Since then it has become a rite of passage from so many runners, an essential addition to any racing CV. But it's a hard-won addition. The race alternatives between 'Up' years and 'Down' depending on whether it starts in Durban on the coast and runs up to Pietermarizburg or runs down to Durban from Pietermaritzburg. 

Don't be deceived by those simple descriptions there are five major hills on the course and there is plenty of climbing and descending whichever direction the route follows. Many runners actually find the down hill run tougher on the legs than the up hill version. Despite the distance, the hills and a strict 12-hour cut off, the race will still attracts a filed in excess of 20,000 runners a figure which dwarfs any other ultra-distance event.   

The 2023 edition breaks with tradition and will be another 'Down' run - 2022 was also a Down run and  the race generally alternates with Up runs in odd years and Down ones in even years - so the start is in Pietermaritzburg with the finish in Durban. Our tour is mainly based in Durban with the night before the race in Pietermarizburg, which with the early start on race morning, you will be grateful for.  Our trip includes the transfers from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on the Saturday before the race. We will also transfer any supporters back to Durban on the race day along with your luggage, which will be waiting for you at the Durban hotel after you have finished running. Our two hotels are conveniently located a short walk from the start and the finish and we will have staff on hand to assist in both cases. 

Our package also includes transfers back and forth between Durban Airport and the hotel.

Our packages are open to anyone travelling to the race. whether you have our own place or want to use one of our guaranteed entries, however, our entries are only available to people booking our hotel packages. There is no ENTRY ONLY into the race. 

Book this Holiday

TOURS
Hotel details
Itinerary
Pricing
PDF Downloads

Booking Enquiry

For further information email 2:09 Events on info@209events.com