THE ROUTE
REFUELLING THE RUNNERS
Hydration and nourishment are key to race-day success when it comes to an 85.777km ultra-marathon, and with well-stocked refreshment stations on the race route, your needs will be well supported. All you have to do is drink, eat and run!
No runner should go thirsty or hungry during the 2026 Comrades Marathon, thanks to the 49 well-stocked refreshment stations positioned along the course, manned by some 5000 volunteers from sponsoring companies, service organisations and NGO’ s, all there to look after the hydration and energy needs of the runners. This is refuelling at its best.
The products available at all stations will be water sachets, Thirsti Sport energy drinks, and Coca-Cola carbonated beverages. Selected 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 49 refreshment stations will stock the following:
• 2.2 million sachets of Thirsti Water
• 612,000 sachets of Thirsti Sport energy drink
• 4000 + cases of Coca-Cola, Fanta and Crème Soda
• 700 + boxes of bananas
• 900 + pockets of oranges
• 2 tonnes of baby potatoes
• 45,000 250ml cartons of Asemzanzi Amahewu
• 440kg of energy biscuits
• 1200kg Salticrax
• 1100kg Chocolates
• 80,000 + sachets of various 32Gi products
• Arnica Ice & Arnica Spray
• Vaseline
• Water troughs
• 43 tonnes of ice sponsored by Thirsti
• 3000 + cardboard bins
• 3500 bin bags
Please Don’ t Litter!
Waste bins will be positioned at all refreshment stations, and participants are strongly encouraged to dispose of all litter responsibly by making use of these provided bins.
Please Note: There will be dedicated Elite Athlete Hydration Stations from which seeded Elite Athletes may collect their own pre-mixed bottles and race nutrition. This service will only be available to seeded Elite Athletes. Any other participant found removing or interfering with bottles or nutrition belonging to an Elite Athlete will face penalties and exclusion from future Comrades Marathon events.
2026 COMRADE MARATHON REFRESHMENT STATIONS
STATION Nr |
SPONSOR |
POSITION |
Distance |
|
|
|
Marker |
Distance to Next Table
1 Durban Christian Centre Jesus Dome
Top of Tollgate( N3 Highway ON LEFT HAND SIDE( same as traffic flow), just before Peter Mokaba / Mazisi Kunene Rd bridge). 3.7 2.4
2 |
Sparkport Franchise |
On King Cetshwayo Highway ON RUNNERS LEFT HAND SIDE starting from in front of Africa Muslims Agency building and extending up |
|
|
the hill( toward overhead foot bridge). |
6.1 3.0
3 Eskom Running Club On M13 E- at bus stop ON RIGHT HAND SIDE contra flow just after overhead foot bridge at Essex Terrace, opposite NOSA College. 9.1 2.1
4 |
KZN Sharks Board |
On M13 E- in Bus Stop lay-by, just after Salisbury Ave. Exit 10 off ramp & overhead Bridge Westville on RIGHT HAND SIDE of road- |
|
|
CONTRA FLOW. |
11.2 1.9
5 Childline KZN At bus stop just after overhead footbridge, opposite Thekwini Toyota, Westville on RIGHT HAND SIDE of road. 13.1 3.1
6 Nashua On Josiah Gumede at the Top of Cowies Hill at drinking fountain ON LEFT HAND SIDE( same as traffic flow). 16.2 1.6
7 Avis Rent a Car Old Main Rd Pinetown- outside 145 Old Main Road- Dunlop Zone Pinetown / On Tap( ON RUNNERS RIGHT HAND SIDE). 17.8 1.6
8 Statistics SA Old Main Rd Pinetown- outside parking lot in front of Alpine Motors, on RIGHT HAND SIDE of road( running contra flow of traffic). 19.4 2.0
9 Hypercheck Entrance to View Road going up Fields Hill by Ralun Kennels. 21.4 3.5
10 Flora On Old Main Road Kloof, just after the Kloof Civic Centre. 24.9 1.2
PHYSIO STATION 1 On grass opposite 45 Old Main Rd, Kloof.
11 South African National Blood Service
At MayTime Spar car park( Charles Way, Kloof), just after pedestrian bridge, oppo. Natalia Terrace on BOTH SIDES of road.( running with flow & contra flow to traffic).
26.1 2.7
12 |
Feedem Group |
Old Main Road Gillitts- on grass verge between Blue Gum Crescent and Longwood Road( on LEFT HAND SIDE of road running with flow |
|
|
of traffic). |
13 |
Famous Brands |
On Old Main Road, Gillits outside house No. 23 Old Main Road and opposite Gillitts Nursery on LEFT HAND SIDE of road( same as traffic |
|
|
flow). |
28.8 1.6
30.4 1.6
14 Orange Grove Old Main Road, Hillcrest( in front of Engen Garage) on LEFT HAND SIDE of road( same as traffic flow). 32 0.9
15 Choc Old Main Rd, In front of Mr Price Sport.( same as traffic flow). 32.9 1.0
16 Potato SA Old Main Road, Hillcrest between Knelsby Ave and Montrose Avenue on LEFT HAND SIDE of road( same as traffic flow). 33.9 1.0
17 |
Savino Del Bene |
On Old Main Road, Hillcrest in bus stop opposite( slightly above) Galloway Rd intersection on BOTH SIDES OF ROAD below Sugarloaf |
|
|
Centre. |
18 |
Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust |
On Old Main Road, Bothas Hill- just after Fainting Goat sign, at Bus stop lay bye just prior to Chapel Rd on BOTH SIDES of road.( running |
|
|
with flow & contra flow to traffic). |
34.9 1.6
36.5 1.7
PHYSIO STATION 2 On grass after Total Garage opposite Mandala Café( runner ' s LEFT HAND SIDE).
19 Brand SA on R103 / Old Main Road Bothas Hill, outside No. 45- Build It, on BOTH SIDES of road.( running contra flow to traffic). 38.2 1.3
20 |
Area Military Health Unit KZN |
On R103 / Old Main Road, Bothas Hill just after Vuleka Centre( after intersection with Wooton Ave), on LEFT HAND SIDE of road.( running |
|
|
with flow of traffic). |
39.5 1.3
21 uMngeni-Uthukela Water On R103 / Old Main Road Bothas Hill, oppo. Phezulu Estate and just after Alverstone Rd turnoff on LEFT HAND SIDE( same as traffic flow). 40.8 1.5
22 Pedros Chicken On R103 / Old Main Road Drummond, on the sharp left hand bend( after sign reading " Drummond " before Wall of Honour). 42.3 1.6
48