The Comrades Marathon opens entries Tuesday with a cap of 28,000 runners. About 52 percent of spots go to a general ballot starting Sept. 9. The cap is 27 percent higher than the 2026 race, which sold out in under 10 hours. The qualifier remains a marathon in 4:59:59 or faster.

The race proceeds without national federation approval. Athletics South Africa omitted the event from its 2027 fixtures, citing non-compliance with governance. Runners will not need an ASA license from next year, but qualifications remain unchanged. The purse is over R8.9 million, with R1 million each for the winners. Read more culture coverage.

The start has been rebuilt twice, with the 2025 race using a split start. The 2025 race saw 20,974 starters and 24,172 entries. The 2025 finish rate of 86.82 percent suggests about 21,100 finishers this year, a record by some 2,900. Related: Stirling Half Marathon Returns in 2027 After 5-Year Hiatus.

This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.