2026 Comrades Marathon entries sell out in record time as ‘Ultimate Human Race’ fever grips runners

Entries for the 2026 Comrades Marathon – the 99th edition of the race and 50th Up Run from Durban to Pietermartizburg – were snapped up in record time, sold out in less than10 hours on Monday.

The first batch of 2 600-plus entries were made available last week to Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) members and Green Number Club runners – those who had completed the race at least 10 times, earned five gold medals or won the race three times.

General entries were opened at 10am on Monday, but the remaining spots for the ultra-marathon were rapidly scooped up. 

“This overwhelming response is a testament to the unbelievable passion and support you have for The Ultimate Human Race,” the CMA posted on Instagram.  

Those who missed out complained on social media about the duration of the window and number of general entries allocated, while others were hopeful that an extra registration window would be added, as has happened in the past. 

But the CMA has insisted that there will only be one entry window for next year’s race, and promised to share a detailed breakdown of entry statistics.

It also revealed that the qualification period ends on May 4, 2026, which is also the closing date for submission of qualifying details, including seeding upgrade requests and club and licence information. The substitution process will take place between March and April.

The qualifying criteria for next year’s Comrades Marathon remain unchanged, with runners required to complete an officially timed standard 42.2km marathon in under five hours.

The inaugural Boxer Super Run Joburg promises to produce fireworks with the clash between winners of the Tshwane and Durban races set to go head-to-head in the 5km race scheduled for Marks Park on Sunday.

The distance is arguably the only one in which track specialists and road runners can compete without the other enjoying too much of an advantage. This is what excited Luan Munnik who won last year’s Boxer Super Run Tshwane. (Additional reporting by Matshelane Mamabolo).