RACE INFO
TheRoute
Here’ s everything you need to know about the route of the 2025 Comrades Marathon, from markings and marshalling, through refreshment stations and medical assistance, to cut-offs and bailer buses. It’ s time to make your final race plans!
1 THE ROUTE
The official race route for the 2025 Comrades Marathon appears on the next pages of this magazine, with the official distance being 89.98km. The route will be closed to all unaccredited vehicles on race day, and no driving or parking on the route is permitted. Furthermore, certain access roads will be closed to the public, as they serve as escape routes for emergency vehicles.
2 COURSE MARKING
The event route is typically marked by barriers, traffic cones, delineators and / or other markings. It is the responsibility of each participant to recognise, understand, and act in accordance with all race-related signage and symbols. Prominent yellow boards are also attached to lampposts and road signs wherever possible to mark the course.
3 MARSHALS AND RACE OFFICIALS
Marshals and race officials will be positioned at the start, along the race route and at the finish. They will be in place to guide and assist participants, and to ensure they have a safe and hassle-free race. All participants must follow and adhere to the instructions of marshals and race officials. Kindly note that any failure to adhere to the instructions of a race referee or race official may result in a participant being disqualified, and their future entry to the Comrades Marathon rejected.
4 REFRESHMENT STATIONS
There will be 47 well-stocked refreshment stations situated along the course, manned by some 5000 volunteers from sponsoring companies and service organisations, to look after the hydration and energy needs of the runners. The products available at all stations will be water sachets, Isofit + energy drinks and Coca-Cola carbonated beverages. Some refreshment stations will also stock a range of potatoes, orange segments, bananas, 32Gi nutritional supplements and Orange Grove Amahewu, as well as other snacks.
Collectively, the 47 refreshment stations will stock the following:
• Thirsti Water: 2.5 million sachets
• Thirsti Energy Drink: 602,000 sachets
• Coca-Cola: 3100 cases
• Fanta: 532 cases
• Creme Soda: 532 cases
• Oranges: 4.8 tons
• Bananas: 12 tons
• Baby Potatoes: 2 tons
• Biscuits: 500kg
• Salticrax: 500 kg
• Chocolates: 1100kg
• asemZansi Amahewu: 45,000 cartons( 250ml each)
• 32Gi Sports Energy Gels: 30,000 sachets
• 32Gi Recovery Protein Feed Zone: 24,000 sachets
• 32Gi Anti Cramp Gels: 24,000 sachets
Please Note: There will be elite participant water stations from which elite seeded participants may collect their own pre-mixed bottles and race nutrition. This service will only be available to elite seeded participants. Any other participant who removes a bottle or race nutrition belonging to an elite seeded participant from an elite participant water station may be penalised, and may be barred from entering the race in future.
Catering for Our Incredible Spectators
We know that the energy and support from our spectators are a massive part of what makes the Comrades Marathon so special. While there are countless spots along the route where you can cheer on the runners, we’ ve made it even easier for you to be a part of the action with three awesome Official Spectator Points. These locations are designed to give you the best viewing experience:
• Spectators point 1: Doornug Road area in Cato Ridge.
• Spectators point 2: Amazondi Store in Inchanga.
• Spectators point 3: Drummond – close to the railway area, before the halfway activation.
Spectators will be pleased to hear that there’ s ample parking space available at all three of these official spectator points. Furthermore, to make the day even more comfortable for spectators, the CMA is providing 300 portable toilets along the route, strategically placed for easy access at Hillcrest, Drummond, Amazondi Store, Inchanga Caravan Park, Camperdown, Umlaas Road and Ashburton.
So, gather your friends and family, pack your cheers, and get ready to be part of the Comrades Marathon magic!
Images: Paul Henman, Kirsten Oliver, Richard Dobbin
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