Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has affirmed that the 100th Comrades Marathon will proceed on June 13, 2027, despite an ongoing dispute between sporting federations. McKenzie directly encouraged participants and spectators, stating, "The 100th running of the Comrades Marathon must go ahead, and it will go ahead. Enter the race. Book your accommodation. Tell your family to come and stand on that road." The Minister emphasized the race's resilience, adding, "This race has survived a world war and a pandemic. It is not going to be stopped by a disagreement between committees." His remarks sought to allay concerns regarding the iconic event's future.
Race History and Significance
The Comrades Marathon, an iconic ultra-marathon, was first established in 1921. Its long history has cemented its place as a significant event in the global athletics calendar. The upcoming 2027 edition is particularly noteworthy as it will commemorate the 100th running of the race. This centennial event is also slated to mark the 50th time the traditional "down route" from Pietermaritzburg to Durban will be utilized. The finish line for this historic race is planned for the Kings Park precinct in Durban, a location familiar to many participants and spectators. The dual milestone shows the race's enduring legacy and its continued importance to the region.
Federation Dispute Details
The dispute centers on the Comrades Marathon Association's (CMA) relationship with KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA). At its Annual General Meeting in November 2025, CMA members passed a resolution to withdraw the Association’s status as a Special Member of KZNA. This decision aimed to allow the CMA to affiliate directly with the national athletics federation, bypassing the provincial body.
Further solidifying this stance, a Special General Meeting held on August 1, 2026, saw a significant turnout of over 1,000 members participating in a vote regarding re-affiliation with KZNA. The outcome of this vote indicated a clear preference for the CMA’s direct affiliation, with 694 members voting against re-affiliating with KZNA. In contrast, 338 members voted in favour of maintaining ties with the provincial athletics body.
Ministerial Intervention and Support
The Minister has directed the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to engage with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, and Msunduzi Local Municipality. This engagement aims to ensure that necessary operational support is in place well in advance of June 2027 for the marathon.
Minister McKenzie stated, "The Comrades people were very clear with me that they are willing to keep working with the national and provincial federations." He also affirmed the government's commitment to international standards, noting, "We intend to work closely with World Athletics on the solutions. They are the custodians of this sport globally and South Africa needs to remain a member of that family in good standing." McKenzie emphasized that any administrative restoration in South African athletics would occur within World Athletics' framework, not outside it. He clarified, "Government is not trying to run athletics. Government is trying to make sure there is athletics left worth running."
McKenzie concluded, "Our objective is to restore our federations to something the Comrades Marathon Association can be proud to associate with again. This was never about picking a winner between organisations. It is about supporting and growing athletics in South Africa, and athletics does not grow when the people who build things spend their year fighting the people who are supposed to support them."
Call for Federation Unity
Minister Gayton McKenzie has urged Athletics South Africa (ASA) and KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) to offer assurances that no athlete, club, or technical official will face penalties for entering, participating in, or officiating at the 100th Comrades Marathon. This call for unity aims to prevent any administrative disputes from impacting individuals involved in the historic event. The Comrades Marathon has consistently been staged every year, with exceptions only during the war years and the two years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister's intervention seeks to safeguard the race's continuity and ensure its smooth execution, particularly given its long-standing tradition of overcoming significant challenges.
