SPECTATORS
3 TRAFFIC WARNING
Supporters and spectators who are planning to go out on the route to watch the race should take note that the Comrades Marathon route traditionally attracts a lot of traffic, sometimes leading to long delays. You will not be allowed onto the official race route at any point, so you’ ll need to study the maps of the areas that the race passes through and plan your route carefully.
By travelling parallel to the route on open roads, then cutting back in towards the route via open access roads, you can reach your next planned stop or meeting point with your runner. Also take note that you may not be able to get close to the route, due to the traffic and demand for parking, so you may need to park a distance away from the route and walk the rest of the way.
Please be watchful of traffic officials directing traffic, and take note of the no parking signs that will be placed in areas where stopping and parking are not allowed, for safety reasons. You don’ t want your 2026 Comrades Marathon experience ruined by a hefty traffic fine, or worse, your car being towed away!
4 TRAFFIC UPDATES
South Africa’ s leading vehicle tracking and telematics provider, Netstar, is the Official Real-Time Traffic Monitoring and Insights Partner of the 2026 event. This will see Netstar’ s traffic updates and route information made available to the public on the official Comrades Marathon social media platforms throughout race day. This partnership will therefore benefit not just the organising team, but also make things easier for spectators and supporters out on the route and heading to the Finish venue, and thus will directly benefit the runners as well.
5 AMBUSH MARKETING
Spectators and supporters are warned against any and all forms of ambush marketing. Only official CMA sponsors and official CMA refreshment stations are permitted to set up any form of corporate branding along the route. No other entity or person is permitted to advertise and / or erect any form of corporate branding anywhere along the route, or at the Start and Finish venues, without the express written permission of the CMA.
Furthermore, clubs affiliated with Athletics South Africa are permitted to set up a maximum of three( 3) support stations for their athletes along the course. Unless the prior written consent of the CMA has been obtained, a club tent may be no bigger than 3m x 3m in size. Any person or club that fails to comply with these guidelines will be asked to remove their branding from the route.
Any attempt to market, advertise, or give unauthorised public and broadcast exposure to a specific entity, brand, or product in contravention of this prohibition, will amount to ambush marketing. In circumstances where any person or entity is found to be engaging in any form of ambush marketing, whether aerial, on the ground, alongside, or adjacent to the race route, the CMA shall be entitled to initiate legal action against that person or entity.
6 NO FLY ZONE WARNING
In terms of the regulations of the South African Civil Aviation Authority( SACAA) Part 101, no drones or unmanned aerial vehicles( UAV) may be flown or operated at( or near) the Comrades Marathon event without prior written approval from the SACAA, event organisers, and Disaster Management Authorities. This prohibition includes all private, recreational, and commercial drone operations. Unauthorised drone operations may result in removal from the venue, confiscation of the drone, or being reported to the relevant authorities for enforcement action.
The CMA thanks all supporters and spectators for bringing such energy, enthusiasm, compassion and vibe to the event. We wish you a wonderful day of supporting the runners and experiencing the unique spirit of the Comrades Marathon.
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Images: Comrades Marathon Association