Good news for runners! The official distance for the 2024 Comrades Marathon, the 97th edition of this historic ultramarathon, has been confirmed.
Shorter Course: This year’s “up run” from Durban to Pietermaritzburg will be the shortest in Comrades history, clocking in at 85.91km. This is nearly 820 meters shorter than the 2019 “up run.”
Route Variations: Roadworks and changing routes, particularly out of Durban, contribute to the distance variations over the years.
Accommodating Change: To address ongoing construction at the Umlaas Road Interchange, the 2024 route will travel through the suburbs of Cleland and Pelham, similar to the 2013 and 2015 editions.
Record Breakers:
- The last time the race finished at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse (five years ago), the distance was 86.73km. This was the year Gerda Steyn set the current women’s “up run” record of 5:58:53.
- Leonid Shvetsov’s 2008 men’s “up run” record of 5:24:49 was achieved at The Oval Cricket Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, when the distance was 86.94km.