This Sunday, nearly 25,000 determined runners will take on the grueling 89-kilometre Comrades Marathon, starting in Pietermaritzburg and making their way to Durban in this year’s down run. The iconic race kicks off at 5:30am, with the final cut-off at 5:30pm, giving participants a full 12 hours to complete one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world.
New Two-Group Start System
A major change this year is the introduction of a two-wave start. The first group, consisting of the fastest qualifying runners and elite athletes, will number around 12,500 participants. These runners will be released in batches of 1,500, helping to manage congestion and pacing.
The second wave will feature another 10,000 runners, also broken into similar-sized batches. This new format aims to streamline the start and improve the flow throughout the early kilometers of the race.
Key Stats on Hydration and Nutrition
Ensuring runners stay hydrated and fueled over the 89km route requires a massive logistical effort. Here are the staggering numbers behind this year’s refreshment operation:
Hydration Supplies
- Water sachets (Thirsti): 2.2 million
- Sports drink sachets (Thirsti): 600,000
- Coca-Cola: 30,350 litres
- Fanta and Crème Soda: 10,650 litres
- Paper cups (175ml): 450,000
- Amahewu (fermented maize drink): 45,000 servings
- Bavaria 0.0% Beer (non-alcoholic): 22,000 cans
Food and Energy Support
- Cooked baby potatoes: 2 tons
- Bananas: 600 boxes
- Oranges: 4.5 tons
- Energy biscuits: 500 kg
- Salticrax crackers: 500 kg
This massive operation is supported by an army of 5,000 volunteers, who will work at refreshment stations throughout the course to help runners refuel, rehydrate, and keep moving.
Global Participation and Big Rewards
The 2025 Comrades Marathon will feature participants from over 80 countries, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s premier ultramarathon events.
As for the top performers, both the men’s and women’s champions will each take home R874,000, with an additional R550,000 up for grabs for anyone who breaks the down run record.
From tons of baby potatoes to millions of water sachets, the Comrades Marathon is not only a test of endurance for runners—but also a massive feat of organization, logistics, and community support.
Comrades Marathon
The Comrades Marathon continues to stand as a monumental celebration of human endurance, teamwork, and spirit. With nearly 25,000 runners, thousands of volunteers, and a logistics operation involving millions of hydration sachets and tons of food, the event showcases not just athletic prowess, but a deep sense of community and planning. Whether you’re running, supporting, or watching from afar, this year’s down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban promises to be another unforgettable chapter in the legacy of one of the world’s greatest ultramarathons.
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