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Common Ground News

How hard is the Comrades Marathon?

Author

David Ramirez

Updated on February 20, 2026

How hard is the Comrades Marathon?

Lindsey Parry: The Comrades Marathon up run is very difficult, let's not pull any punches there. But it is a different kind of difficult. The Comrades down run definitely pummels your legs, so you get very tired in the first half and then you get very sore in the second half.

Hereof, how long does it take to prepare for Comrades Marathon?

Training for the Comrades Marathon. As daunting as it may be to think about running a race that is 90K, perhaps even more daunting is planning and carrying out a training plan to get yourself to the finish line of a race like this. A typical bare-bones half marathon training plan for beginners lasts ten weeks.

One may also ask, how many people run the Comrades Marathon? 5. This year, there are 17,268 men and 4,357 women tackling the 2019 Comrades Marathon. This brings the total number of runners to 21,625.

Also know, how do I prepare for the Comrades Marathon?

Comrades Marathon Race Prep Plan:

  1. Get some miles in – very similar to marathon training, though longer.
  2. Aim for one long run or two a few weeks before the race that is roughly two thirds of the race distance – no need to sprint on these training runs as they may end up having a negative effect on the body.

Is comrades 2020 up or down?

Comrades Marathon sets date for decision on 2020 down run. The CMA board met on Monday to discuss the feasibility of the down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban taking place in light of the World Health Organisation declaring the novel coronavirus (covid-19) a pandemic. The race is set to take place on June 14.

Can you walk the Comrades Marathon?

It is possible to walk the Comrades Marathon
Lindsey Parry: Yes it is possible. It is a lot harder to do than running the Comrades Marathon. Just because walking by nature is slower than running, so therefore you have to walk quite fast. Plus you have you walk quite fast for a really long time.

How many hours do you have to finish comrades?

12 hours

What should I eat before the Comrades Marathon?

Pre-Comrades eating
Aim to eat evenly through the day and not a small breakfast and lunch plus a large dinner as many people do. These examples are moderate in carbs, but with consistent levels of protein and fats throughout the day.

How do comrades train for beginners?

The key to succesdully training for the Comrades Marathon as a beginner is to get on a structured training program and then just get going at a really gentle pace, build up as slowly as your patience will allow and make sure that you do not get injured.

How do you train for the Comrades?

Run races at + 6 min /km and run slower on club runs at 7 min/km, which is close to your Comrades pace. Race twice a month and do leisurely club runs the other weekends.

At this stage of your training you should be able to run:

  1. 8km Time Trial in 47 minutes.
  2. 15km race in 89 minutes.
  3. 21.1km race in 2 hours 06 minutes.

How do you recover from comrades?

No matter how tired you are, you need to keep moving. This is not the time to sit down or take a nap. Walk through the finish area, get some dry clothes on (especially if it is cold or cool). You may be a bit nauseous but it is crucial to get post-race nutrition within 30 minutes after the race.

When should I start training for Comrades?

We now accept that a runner can only train very hard for about 8-10 weeks. (Tim Noakes “The lore of Running”) This means that the critical intense training period for the Comrades marathon starts at the beginning of March.

What should I bring to the comrades?

Comrades Marathon Packing List
  • Nathan Endurance Vest.
  • Electrolyte Pills (Salt).At some point my stomach doesn't much like eating solid foods, so for me the ability to continue to take in salt/electrolytes is crucial. I use MetaSalt.
  • Gu Gel (Roctane).
  • Vitamins.
  • V02 Max Endurance.
  • Running shorts.
  • Compression shorts.
  • Comrades 2012 T-Shirt.

How long should you rest after comrades?

I believe in taking a decent two week break after the Comrades and then running gently and without any racing at all until the spring returns to my legs. This usually happens around the first week of July ( For a May Comrades) I return to proper training and racing in mid August.

How much does the Comrades Marathon cost?

Entry fees for the 2020 Comrades Marathon are as follows: South African: R 600.00. Foreign Athletes – Africa/ SADC countries: R1500.

How do you qualify for the 2019 Comrades Marathon?

Qualifying for the 2019 Comrades Marathon is applicable as of August 26, 2018 until May 2, 2019. The qualifying criteria for this year's Comrades Marathon will be to complete a standard 42.2km marathon in under 4 hours and 50 minutes, or a 56km ultra-marathon in under 6 hours and 45 minutes.

How much does the Comrades Marathon winner get?

44 million is up for grabs in the 2020 event with R525-thousand for both the male and female Winners, R260-thousand to the runners-up and R190-thousand for Third Position.

How long do you have to complete the Comrades Marathon?

12 hours

Why do Russians say comrade?

Since the Russian Revolution, popular culture in the Western World has often associated it with communism. However, the term comrade is improperly attributed to Russian speakers, since Russians do not say comrade, but rather tovarisch (това´рищ).

What's longer than a marathon?

An ultramarathon, also called ultra distance or ultra running, is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometres (26.219 mi).

What is the longest marathon in the world?

The Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race is the world's longest certified footrace. In 1996 Sri Chinmoy created this event as a 2,700-mile (4,345 km) race.

In which political movement is comrades used?

During the time of Socialist Zionist political and ideological dominance of the 1930s to the 1960s, the word in a sense similar to English "comrade" was in widespread use, in the Kibbutz movement, the Histadrut trade unions, the driver-owned bus companies etc.

How long is a marathon?

The marathon is a long-distance race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (approximately 26 miles 385 yards), usually run as a road race. The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens, who reported the victory.

Who ran the most Comrades marathons?

Bruce Fordyce. Bruce Noel Stevenson Fordyce (born 3 December 1955 in Hong Kong) is a South African marathon and ultramarathon athlete. He is best known for having won the South African Comrades Marathon a record nine times, of which eight wins were consecutive.

What is an ultra marathon runner?

An ultramarathon, also called ultra distance or ultra running, is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometres (26.219 mi).

What do you need to qualify for Comrades Marathon?

Qualifying for the 2020 Comrades Marathon is applicable as of 24 August 2019 till 4 May 2020. The qualifying criteria for next year's Comrades Marathon will be to complete a standard 42.2km marathon in under 4 hours and 50 minutes, or a 56km ultra-marathon in under 6 hours and 45 minutes.”

What date is Comrades Marathon 2020?

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Who is called a comrade?

The term comrade is used to mean 'mate', 'colleague', or 'ally', and derives from the Spanish term camarada, literally meaning 'chamber mate', from Latin camera, meaning 'chamber' or 'room'.

How do I qualify for comrades?

The qualifying criteria for next year's Comrades Marathon will be to complete a standard 42.2km marathon in under 4 hours and 50 minutes, or a 56km ultra-marathon in under 6 hours and 45 minutes.”

What date is Comrades Marathon 2019?

June 8, 2019, 8:30 PM PDT

What is the qualifying time for Comrades Marathon?

Qualifying for the 2020 Comrades Marathon is applicable as of 24 August 2019 till 4 May 2020. The qualifying criteria for next year's Comrades Marathon will be to complete a standard 42.2km marathon in under 4 hours and 50 minutes, or a 56km ultra-marathon in under 6 hours and 45 minutes.”

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How hard is the Comrades Marathon?