ATHLETICS: Comrades changes lanes in a marathon governance dispute
Organisers are pressing ahead with centenary plans despite an ongoing impasse.
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has launched plans for the 2027 centenary edition of the iconic ultramarathon, despite ongoing tensions with Athletics South Africa (ASA). The upcoming race, which is the largest in South Africa, faces a qualification dispute between the two organizations. ASA's decision not to sanction the 2027 event adds complexity to the situation.
However, CMA chairperson Mark Leathers insists there are "nothing logistically to worry about" and that the race will proceed as planned. Qualification for the 2027 Comrades Marathon runs from June 15, 2026, to May 3, 2027, with runners needing to complete an official marathon race within five hours. Leathers emphasizes that ASA's decision will not affect most qualifying races, as they remain sanctioned through provincial and national athletics bodies.
While entries for the 2027 Comrades Marathon have sold out quickly, the focus is now on the centenary edition, with the CMA seeking a collaborative partnership with ASA and KZNA in the future.
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