Entries open for 2023 Comrades Marathon

Entries have opened for the 2023 Comrades Marathon. Next year’s race, another down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, will take place on June 11.

Entries will be capped at 20 000 athletes.

The Comrades Marathon Association launched the 96^th ultra-marathon race in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday.

#sabcnews #sabckzn Comrades Marathon race 2023 will be a down run again.

— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) November 22, 2022

Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo says, “We already have 48 up runs, it is going to be equal now. The 96^th edition is going to be the 48^th down run. After next year it going to be synced. We are going to keep it at 20 000 (runners) for the safety of our runners. You remember we have road works between Lion Park and Cato Ridge, we need to make sure that the safety of our runners is prioritised and ensure that on the day all our operations are smooth without any congestions on the road.”

Ngcobo’s opening remarks in the tweet below: 

#sabcnews #sabckzn Comrades Marathon 2023 launch underway in Pietermaritzburg. CMA chair Mqondisi Ngcobo opening remarks. pic.twitter.com/gugoNZOBv0

— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) November 22, 2022

2022 cheating allegations 

Meanwhile, the Comrades Marathon Association announced that nine runners could be disqualified from this year’s race over allegations of cheating.

KwaZulu-Natal Athletics President Steve Mkasi confirmed that there are no elite athletes among the alleged cheaters.

He elaborates in the tweet below: 

#sabcnews #sabckzn Yesterday Comrades Marathon Association announced nine runners could be disqualified from this year’s race over allegations of cheating. KZN Athletics Pres Steve Mkasi confirmed no elite athletes among the alleged cheaters. pic.twitter.com/gpT87LM76L

— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) November 22, 2022