Comrades 2025 Down Run race distance confirmed — It’s far!

Just about 90km!

This year’s Comrades Marathon is set to be a gruelling 89.98km battle between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, to be run on Sunday 8 June.

The Comrades Marathon Association announced the official distance for this year’s race early on Thursday morning, saying they are “incredibly proud” to announce the nearly 90km distance.

This year’s Down Run will be the 98th edition of the race. It will be the 49th Down Run.

Street finish

Also, the finish will for the first time in years be a street finish, outside Durban’s People’s Park.

The previous Down Run, in 2023 was 87.70km.

The finish this year will be outside People’s Park, in the northbound lanes of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue.

his will include a finish-line grandstand for spectators erected in the southbound lanes of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, as well as a hospitality and entertainment area in People’s Park, and space allocated for running club tents on either side of the finish. The longest Down Run in the history of the Comrades was 92km in 1971.

The Comrades Marathon Association said on Thursday, “The new street finish will create a more inclusive and celebratory atmosphere, as more people can gather to cheer on the participants, while also allowing better flow of runners and spectators, reducing congestion, and ensuring a smoother finish experience for all.”

Two start times

CMA General Manager, Alain Dalais, added: “The Comrades Marathon Association is incredibly proud to announce the official 89.98-kilometer distance for the 2025 Down Run.

“This carefully measured course embodies the spirit and tradition of The Ultimate Human Race, promising an unforgettable test of endurance and resilience for all participants.”

This year’s race will also have two different start times for two different groups – 5.45am and 6am. The two start groups will have different coloured race numbers – orange or purple – and there will be two similarly coloured finish chutes in Durban. Both start groups will have the traditional 12 hours to complete the race.

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