"There is no way you can cheat the system" - Durban International Marathon organisers warn athletes against the use of banned substances
Building on the success of the 2026 event, organisers of the Durban International Marathon are targeting a field of 10 000 runners for next year's edition of the race which is scheduled to take place on 2 May, 2027. Addressing the media during yesterday's (10 September) official launch which took place at the Riverside Hotel in Durban, Dr Mlungisi Khanyile, a member of the Local Organising Committee, said because they expect a sold out field of 10 000 participants over both the 10km and 42km events, runners should enter early to avoid disappointment.
"Entries will open on the 12th of September, which is phase one. During this first phas runners pay R450 to run the full marathon. That offer ends on the 31st of December," said Khanyile.
"From 1st of January to the 18th March is phase two. Then runners will have to pay R480 per 42km entry. Phase 3 process which will end on the 18th of April will require runners to pay R530 for the registration. We are not doing a ballot system as we are operating on a first come served basis and we have a capacity of 10 000."
So far as the elite athletes are concerned, the prize money for next year's event remains unchanged at R80 000 for the winner. But, organisers have extended the incentive program, allocating R25 000 for athletes who break the course record in both men's and women's races. South African marathon record holder Elroy Gelant holds the men's record - 2:09:32 set in the 2024 edition of the race, while Ethiopia's Alemitu Ajema Lema holds the women's record of 2:26:44.
In light of the doping scandals involving Kenya's Felix Kiprotich and South Africa's Reghen Magwai, the past two men's winners, Khanyile urged athletes to familiarise themselves with the list of prohibited substances provided by World Athletics and the World Anti Doping Agency in order to ensure that they do not fall foul of the anti-doping regulations.
"There is a huge responsibility on elite athletes to ensure that whatever they eat, they do so with a full understanding of it. Each year around the end of October, World Athletics releases a list of prohibited substances. Athletes must check that list," he said.
"We warn athletes not to listen to anyone advising them to take drugs as it will backfire in the end. Once you use drugs, you will be caught. There is no way you can cheat the system. It also not comes as fair to other athletes when you use drugs to enhance your performance. This is why we ending up having delays in terms of paying athletes on time because World Athletics must give us a go ahead to pay athletes once they are all cleared. If athletes are not certain about other supplements, they must come forward and seek knowledge."
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