R1 million prize money and a hybrid ballot entry system - Comrades 2027 is here
- Thathe Msimango
- 53 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Comrades Marathon has announced a significant increase in prize money, with the winners of the men's and women's categories set to receive R1 million each art next year’s race. The news was revealed at the official media launch held on at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Wednesday, 19 August. Many of the nations top ultra distance runners including former winner Gift Kelehe has been vocal about the desire to see the world’s oldest and most loved ultra marathon breach the R1 million prize money mark.
2026 Comrades Marathon runner-up Nobukhosi Tshuma, who delivered a 05:53:36 performance to make history as the first black woman to finish inside the top three podium, welcomed the news, stating it will teach them discipline to focus solely on Comrades without over-racing.
"I'm happy to hear that Comrades will pay R1 million rand for the winner. It shows just how much the race has grown so much in the past few years," she told #TheTopRunner
"Now we ultra marathon specialists can focus on the Comrades. We don’t have to chase the money and run too many races. The money that Comrades is offering can set you up for life as long as you are going to invest wisely. I have stated in the past that next year, my focus is to do well in the Comrades Marathon so this money announcement gives me motivation to push barriers.”
Maxed Elite athlete manager Martin Ngwenya echoed the Entsika AC top runner’s sentiments. Ngwenya expressed his excitement following the announcement, stating that the increased prize money will enable athletes to make a good living from the sport.
"I'm happy with the announcement - the R1 million is something that athletes have been wanted for some time now. As someone who works closely with athletes, my dream is to see them make a living from the sport. Now with this prize money, their lives will change for the better. The R1 million comes at the right time as the race celebrates 100 years.”
The 100th running of the Comrades Marathon is scheduled for June 13 and is a Down Run that will cater for a total of 28 000 runners up from the 23 000 who entered this year’s 99th edition which was an Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. Entries open on 25 August catering to Green and Yellow Number holders and CMA members first followed by a ballot entry system for the rest.
The Comrades Marathon 2027 is shaping up to be a huge event, with the winners of both the men’s and women’s races set to receive a record R1 million prize. The announcement has been welcomed by South African ultramarathon runners, who say the increased prize money could allow athletes to focus more on Comrades instead of chasing earnings across multiple races.
The 2027 race will also mark the 100th Comrades Marathon, scheduled for 13 June as an Up Run, with the field expected to grow to 28,000 runners. Registration opens on 25 August, with a hybrid lottery system being used for the remaining entries.