Comrades Marathon 2025

Extensions within Africa post-Comrades Marathon 2025 are offered; such as a private game reserve or the mother city of Cape Town; or why not get your running kit back out and book for the Big Five Marathon!

THANDA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE | 10 – 13 June 2025

Thanda Safari  is a world of wilderness and wildlife game reserve, matched with a deep commitment to Zulu culture and environmental conservation. Thanda means ‘Love’ in the language of the Zulu people, and Thanda Safari lives this ethos in the management of its 14,000-hectare reserve, its three unique properties, and its community partnerships. Experience the ultimate safari experience with Thanda Safari, which has repeatedly been named the World’s Leading Luxury Game Reserve Lodge or sleep under the African skies in a luxury tent. For 2025, the Lodge is not available, but we can offer the Thanda Luxury Tented Camp. Comprised of fifteen non-electrified colonial style safari tents, providing an authentic rustic bush experience (leaving a smaller carbon footprint). Each tent has an open-plan bedroom with en-suite canvas bathroom with an indoor and/or outdoor shower, as well as a wooden viewing deck. For 2025, the Lodge is not available, but we can offer the Thanda Luxury Tented Camp. Comprised of fifteen non-electrified colonial-style safari tents, providing an authentic rustic bush experience (leaving a smaller carbon footprint). Each tent has an open-plan bedroom with en-suite canvas bathroom with an indoor and/or outdoor shower, as well as a wooden viewing deck.

Thanda Private Game Reserve 3 Nights Extension Package includes:

• 3 nights’ accommodation at Thanda Private Game Reserve
• Transfer from Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban to Thanda Private Game Reserve
• All meals and selected local beverages (soft drinks, house wines, local spirits and beers)
• Mini bar and Wi-Fi in public areas
• 2 game drives per day with professional guide and tracker
• Transfer from Thanda Private Game Reserve to Durban Airport
• Tips for guides, drivers and general staff
• Conservation Levy

NOTE: Extensions are guided by Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) staff based on a minimum number of sales. Thanda Private Game Reserve will look after you and MTT staff will be available via telephone if sales do not reach a minimum number.   

Please refer to the last day of itinerary for flight recommendations.

Families with children are welcome but some restrictions apply, depending on child age. Please contact us for availability and more details.

Itinerary

Tuesday 10 June 2025

After breakfast, at 10:00am we will depart from the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban to Thanda Private Game Reserve. The group transfer will be an approximately 3-and-a-half hour drive along the Indian Ocean. After arriving to your suite or experiential non electrified/solar powered luxury tent, you will depart for your first game drive in four-wheel Land Rovers. An early morning or late afternoon safari is the best time to look for the Big Five. With 14,000 hectares to explore and led by experts of the African bush, you’ll see an incredible range of animals, including cheetahs, hyaenas, giraffes, warthogs and abundant bird and plant life. (Lunch and Dinner included)

Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 June 2025

Today is an early morning wake-up (05:30am) with coffee available before departing for your morning game drive. This is a great time to view many animals visiting the water holes and/or predators hunting for its day food. We will return around 09:00am for breakfast and spend the middle of the day relaxing and/or enjoying optional activities such as bush walks that you can book on site. We will head out for our last game drive at 15:00pm and return for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

Friday 13 June 2025

We recommend flying from local Richards Bay Airport (90 minutes drive) or King Shaka International Airport (3-hour drive) in Durban so that you can connect with your international flight home. After breakfast, we will depart Thanda Safari Lodge for the group transfer to Durban King Shaka International Airport. We expect to arrive between 14:00pm and 15:00pm. Please keep this in mind when booking your flights. If the group transfer does not suit your plans or should you need a transfer to Richards Bay Airport, we can arrange a private transfer. Please contact us for the additional cost if an individual transfer is required. (Breakfast included)

BIG FIVE MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON | 11 – 17 June 2025 | 6 nights

Rates from £TBC per person – please refer to our Big Five Marathon page for more details

Note: An extra night in Durban and a flight to Johannesburg will need to be added as this trip starts and finishes in Johannesburg.

Situated in the Limpopo province, the Entabeni Game Reserve provides the perfect setting for this event. Within this 22,000 ha, malaria-free, private game reserve, you have the option of several accommodation facilities, varying from tented camps to luxurious lodges.We use exclusive safari lodges that are placed in the middle of Entabeni, meaning that, as soon as you step outside, you will find yourself surrounded by the savannah wildlife. From our lodges, you will have a spectacular view of the mighty Entabeni-monolith, as well as the opportunity to catch a glimpse of all the “Big Five” game, along with several other stunning creatures like giraffes, hippopotamus, crocodiles and many splendid species of antelope, not to mention an abundance of birdlife. You’ll have plenty of chances to see the wildlife between game drives, bush walks, and the marathon itself.

BIG FIVE MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON | 10 – 17 June 2025 | 7 nights

Rates from £TBC per person – please refer to our Big Five Marathon page for more details

Note: A flight to Johannesburg will need to be added as this trip starts and finishes in Johannesburg.

This 8-day package gives you the chance to see much more of South Africa!  Besides living in two different reserves, you will also get the opportunity to visit the township Soweto. The package combines the Zebra Nature Reserve and the Entabeni Game Reserve, which is the perfect coalescence of family friendly leisure activities and the adventurous game reserve of Entabeni where the marathon takes place.
On this package you will stay at The Stables or Mountain Lodge in Zebra Nature Reserve and Legend Safari Resort in Entabeni.

NOTE: Big Five Marathon extension is operated by Albatros and accompanied by Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) staff based on a minimum number of sales. Albatros staff will look after you and MTT staff will be available via telephone if sales do not reach a minimum number. 

Families with children are welcome but some restrictions apply, depending on child age. 

NEW FOR 2025

CAPE TOWN & SURROUNDS | Dates / Rates TBC

NOTE: Extensions are guided by Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) staff based on a minimum number of sales. A local guide will look after you at key times and MTT staff will be available via telephone if sales do not reach a minimum number.   

Please refer to last day of itinerary for flight recommendations.

Families with children are welcome. Please contact us for availability and more details.

Itineraries are subject to change.

Guaranteed Comrades Marathon Entry 2025

We are the only official international tour operator and can offer guaranteed international race entry into the Comrades Marathon. This applies to runners living outside of South Africa. You can buy the entry from Marathon Tours & Travel if you also buy a Comrades package from us. All race rules must be adhered to which includes a race qualification time.

Our 2025 Comrades Marathon Packages

Marathon Tours & Travel are trusted as the only official international tour operator. Comrades Marathon packages are available for everyone to book. Supporter or runner; we will look after you. Foreign athlete race entry can be purchased if required. Whether you are running or supporting, we have an expert team on the ground to ensure your trip runs smoothly. Our Product Manager is a Comrades Marathon medal holder, having run and finished both the Up and Down runs. Previous clients over the years have returned with fabulous feedback too.

As many months are invested in training for the event with time spent away from family and friends, our travel packages offer all participants from around the world (runners, supporters, partners, friends, family) the opportunity to share the experience together.

Durban is the place to stay leading up to the Comrades Marathon! Home of the Expo and where you can experience the pre-race excitement as throngs of runners fill the city each year and bring the gees (vibe). Add to this quality accommodation with exhilarating sea views and an itinerary with activities, guidance and support you will not regret your decision to book with us, the official Comrades Marathon Tour Operator. Our team will be available every day to offer a wealth of advice and experience to ensure your trip is successful and stress-free. For a superior race day experience we recommend our ‘Combo’ package which includes race night in Pietermaritzburg, this means no long transfer after the race, instead we get you where you need to be before and after the race with quick transfers.

Marathon Tours & Travel 2025 DURBAN Comrades Marathon Package includes:

• Stay at 4* beachfront hotel in Durban from 5 – 10 June
• Daily breakfasts
• Return Durban airport transfers
• Shake-out runs
• Stretch sessions
• Half-day sightseeing tour of Durban with Expo visit (Friday)
• Welcome dinner (Friday)
• Private Comrades course tour (Saturday)
• Pre-race dinner (Saturday)
• Transfer from hotel to race start
• Transfer from race finish to hotel
• Lunch and After Party hosted by ‘The Comrades King’ Mr Bruce Fordyce (Monday)
• Guidance and support from our expert Marathon Tours & Travel team in South Africa

Travelling with children or 3 adults wanting to share?

We do not recommend the Combo tour for small children. Families with children aged 8 years and above can be accommodated on our Durban-only package, please contact us for availability and more details.

2025 Rates (all prices are per person in AUD)

About The Comrades Marathon

The Comrades Marathon 2025 is an iconic race in the world of long-distance endurance running. This ultramarathon is run annually in South Africa and is the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon race and alternates between the two cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg each year. At a distance of approx. 56 miles/89kms, with several large hills amongst the seemingly endless vistas and stunning scenery, it provides an incredible challenge for any runner.

Comrades Marathon 2025 details

Race Date: 8 June 2025

Race Start: 05:30am in Pietermaritzburg            Race Finish: 17:30pm in Durban         Distance: ULTRA approx. 89kms

Qualification Requirement

All entrants are required to meet the Comrades Marathon 2025 qualifying criteria.

Failure to meet the qualifying criteria will result in your entry being rejected. The cut-off date for supplying the below information in order to make your entry complete is 5 May 2025.

Update your qualifying details either by using your online entry profile, email, or contacting the CMA office by 5 May 2025.

Generally speaking, you need to complete the medical questionnaire (available by logging into your entry profile once entered) and you would need to complete a standard marathon in a time of sub 4 hours 50 minutes (4:49:59) and between 10 June 2024 and 5 May 2025, but other ultra distanced races can be used as qualifiers. The qualifying table and for more specific information please refer directly to the Comrades website.

How do I receive confirmation of entry?

Runners who purchase entry from MTT will receive a registration link. This will be sent, with instructions when Comrades Marathon are ready. During the registration process you will create an account and it’s to this account that you will need to submit your proof of qualifying time and race before the deadline. After you have registered on the Comrades system you will receive a confirmation of registration and subsequent email updates. Your name will also then show on the 2025 entry list.

The Course

2025 is expected to be a DOWN RUN that will start in Pietermaritzburg, outside the City Hall at 05:30am to the sounds of Chariots of Fire, Shosholoza, the famous cock crow and the National Anthem. It’s a long day at the office for many and a beast of a race but the experience is second to none. There are lots of challenging hills and enthusiastic support from spectators along the roads. Finish as a hero before cut off at 17:30pm in Durban.

Temperature

Conditions are usually dry and warm, with expected temperatures ranging from 50 to 65 degrees. The start is mild and sometimes chilly in Pietermaritzburg, throughout the day it gets warmer as the sun comes out.

Tip! Train in warm/hot temperatures where possible.

Back to Back

2024 saw 18,884 Comrades Marathon runners on the start line and 17,313 finishers, an astounding 91.68% finish rate. Any novice who completed 2024 will receive a back-to-back medal in addition to their Comrades Marathon medal when finishing 2025 before the cut-off time.

Time Limits & Cut-Offs

The race will have batch wave starts and be timed “mat-to-mat”. The cut-off times for these points will be confirmed in the final race instructions. For more specific information please refer directly to the Comrades website

Qualification Requirement

All entrants are required to meet the Comrades Marathon 2025 qualifying criteria. Failure to meet the qualifying criteria will result in your entry being rejected. Generally speaking you need to have completed a standard marathon in a time of sub-4 hours 50 minutes and between the preceding September and May. For more specific information please refer directly to the Comrades website.

Minimum Age: 20 years old

Entry Fee 

Guaranteed entry is available as an additional cost when booked with our package.

Number Pickup:

You must collect your (2) Comrades Marathon race numbers, FREE runners t-shirt and goodie bag from the venue you have indicated on your entry form.

It is important to note the following when collecting your race number package:

• All runners MUST provide proof of identity to collect their race number pack e.g. ID book, Passport or Driver’s License – along with your race entry confirmation.
• NO race numbers will be issued on race day

Difficulty:

Very challenging! Ultra-marathon with strict time limit and endless hills.

For more specific information please refer directly to the Comrades website.