RACE INFO
TheStart
Here’ s everything you need to know about the stat of the 2025 Comrades Marathon, from getting there and dropping off your tog bag, to lining up in your start group and batch.
1 THE START VENUE 2 BUS TRANSPORTATION
The start of the race will be in front of the Pietermaritzburg City Hall, in Chief Albert Luthuli Street, with Group 1 setting off at 05h45, and Group 2 following 15 minutes later at 06h00. The race will be run‘ gun-to-gun’ until the final race cut-off for Group 1 at 17h45, and Group 2 at 18h00, at People’ s Park in Durban.
Wheelchair participants( including elite wheelchair participants) will start the race 45 minutes ahead of the main race at 05h00 from within the elite participant start batch, immediately behind the official start line.
Group 1 runners will have a purple race number, while Group 2 runners will have an orange race number, and the seeding batches will be Batches A to J in Group 1, and Batches K to S in Group 2. Please note that there will be no batches I or 0, to avoid confusion between letters and numbers.
Please note: Any participant who does not cross the official start line and the timing mat located thereon will not be attributed an official race result. Also note that any Group 2 runners who start with Group 1 will be picked up by the timing equipment, and will face the possibility of disqualification at the finish of the race.
Bus transportation to the start in Pietermaritzburg( and from the finish in Durban) is available. Tickets must be purchased from the Bus Ticket Stand at the Comrades EXPO in Durban, or at Comrades Marathon House in Pietermaritzburg, during the registration period. The cost of a one-way ticket is R160. The cost of a return ticket is R300. If you purchase your tickets online before Registration, you must exchange them for an official wristband at the Bus Ticket Stand during Registration.
The busses from Durban to Pietermaritzburg will begin departure at 1am, and the final bus will depart at 3am, leaving from two different points, which you will choose when you buy your ticket.
• Outside the Hilton Hotel on Walnut Road
• Behind the Elangeni Hotel on Playfair Road
Please note: Runners are urged to arrive timeously on race morning – unfortunately, any late arrivals after 3am cannot be accommodated. And very important is that no tickets will be sold on race day, so be sure to secure yours in advance!
Images: Paul Henman, Kirsten Oliver
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