Comrades Marathon 2026 Up Run Shortest in History at 85.777km

Key facts

• The 2026 Comrades Marathon Up Run will be 85.777km long.
• The previous shortest Up Run was 85.910km in 2024.
• The race takes place on Sunday, 14 June.
• The route was measured by World Athletics-accredited measurer Mike Rooke.
• Measurement involved a convoy with police escorts and a calibrated bicycle.
• Entries for the Substitution Ballot process are now closed.

A Record-Breaking Short Course

The Comrades Marathon Association has confirmed that this year’s Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg will cover 85.777 kilometres, the shortest distance ever recorded for the iconic ultra-marathon. The previous record was set in 2024, when the race measured 85.910km. The 2026 edition therefore shaves 133 metres off that mark. The official measurement was completed last weekend by the CMA’s route portfolio in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport’s Road Traffic Inspectorate, Durban Metro Police, and Msunduzi Traffic Police. The process involved a convoy of vehicles and police motorcycle escorts accompanying World Athletics-accredited route measurer Mike Rooke, who used a calibrated bicycle fitted with a Clain Jones counter.

Infrastructure Developments Force Route Changes

Race Director Sue Forge attributed the reduced distance primarily to ongoing roadworks that have necessitated route adjustments. “The ongoing roadworks have had a significant impact on the route and our planning,” she said. “However, thanks to the outstanding collaboration and support of the municipalities, the Road Traffic Inspectorate, Durban Metro Police and Msunduzi Traffic Police, we have been able to finalise a route that not only provides a slightly shorter distance for runners, but also improves the management of road closures, traffic flow, infrastructure removal and post-race clean-up.” The CMA stated that before 1969, race distances were recorded in miles and largely estimated rather than officially measured. As a result, the 2026 distance could be the shortest in the history of the Up Run — and possibly the race overall — although this cannot be confirmed with certainty due to the lack of precise historical records.

Comparison with Previous Up Runs

The 2024 Up Run, which started in front of Durban City Hall and finished at the HollywoodBets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg, measured 85.910km. That distance was itself 820 metres shorter than the 2019 Up Run, which measured 86.730km. The 2026 race will thus continue a trend of shorter courses, driven by urban development and infrastructure projects along the route. The 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon will take place on Sunday, 14 June. The race remains one of the world’s most prestigious ultra-marathons, attracting elite runners and tens of thousands of participants from across the globe.

Entry and Qualification Deadlines

Entries for the 2026 Comrades Marathon Substitution Ballot process are officially closed. Runners who have not yet updated their qualifying information or profile details face a fast-approaching deadline. The CMA has urged all participants to ensure their qualifiers and profiles are in order to avoid disqualification. The closure of the substitution ballot marks a key milestone in the race calendar, as organisers finalise the field and prepare for race day. With the route now confirmed, attention turns to the remaining logistical and safety preparations.

Stakes for Elite and Amateur Runners

The shorter distance could influence race strategy, particularly for elite runners chasing records or podium finishes. A 133-metre reduction may seem marginal, but in a race that often comes down to minutes, every metre matters. The 2024 Up Run saw a competitive field, and the 2026 edition is expected to draw top talent from South Africa and abroad. For amateur runners, the slightly easier course may offer a better chance at achieving personal bests or finishing within qualifying times. However, the route adjustments also mean that familiar sections of the course have been altered, requiring runners to adapt their pacing and preparation.

A Historic but Uncertain Record

While the 85.777km distance is the shortest in recorded history, the CMA acknowledges that pre-1969 measurements were imprecise. “Before 1969, race distances were recorded in miles and largely estimated rather than officially measured,” the association stated. This caveat means that the 2026 race may not be the absolute shortest ever, but it is certainly the shortest in the modern, accurately measured era. The lack of historical precision adds a layer of nuance to the record. Nonetheless, the 2026 Comrades Marathon will enter the books as a landmark edition, defined by its efficient route and the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies to ensure a safe and streamlined event.

The bottom line

• The 2026 Comrades Marathon Up Run is 85.777km, the shortest in recorded history.
• Route adjustments due to roadworks trimmed 133 metres from the 2024 distance.
• The race will take place on 14 June, with entries for the substitution ballot now closed.
• Measurement was conducted by World Athletics-accredited measurer Mike Rooke using a calibrated bicycle.
• Pre-1969 distances were estimated, so the 2026 race may not be the absolute shortest ever.
• Improved logistics for road closures and traffic flow are expected due to the new route.