Taming The Up Run: A Comrades Prelude

A Century of Grit

To truly appreciate Comrades, you have to understand where it comes from. Founded in 1921 by World War I veteran Vic Clapham, the race was conceived as a living memorial to the South African soldiers who lost their lives in the Great War. Clapham wanted a test that would mirror the unique camaraderie, gruelling physical endurance, and sheer willpower that bound soldiers together in the trenches.

The first official race saw just 34 starters line up outside the Durban City Hall. Only 16 finished. Today, it has grown into a global phenomenon, drawing up to 20,000 runners from all corners of the earth, yet it has never lost its core identity: it is a race defined by everyday people helping one another cross the line before the ruthless 12-hour final gun fires.

The 2026 "Up Run"

Every year, the race alternates directions between the coastal city of Durban and the inland capital of Pietermaritzburg. This year, runners face the notorious "Up Run".

Starting at Durban City Hall and finishing at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg, the official distance clocks in around 85 - 86 kilometers. Do not let the "shorter" distance fool you; the Up Run is a relentless, punishing ascent that asks your calves and quads to defy gravity for hours on end.

The route is defined by the legendary Big Five hills, and they loom large in every runner's tactical strategy, appearing in this exact chronological order:

• Cowies Hill (approx. 17km): The first major obstacle, arriving early when the crowd energy is high and the morning air is still cool.
• Fields Hill (approx. 22km): A long, grinding climb that tests your early-stage pacing. If you run this too fast, your legs will pay for it long before the halfway mark.
• Botha’s Hill (approx. 37km): A steep, twisting incline that brings runners toward the halfway point.
• Inchanga (approx. 45km - 47km): A brutal, steep climb that strikes immediately after the halfway point at Drummond, breaking many spirits when fatigue has fully set in.
• Polly Shortts (approx. 75km - 76km): The infamous final boss. Situated with just under 10 kilometers from the finish line, Polly Shortts is a legendary, agonizingly steep wall that requires pure mental grit to conquer when your body is screaming at you to stop.

The Price of Admission: Qualification & Preparation

If reading about Polly Shortts sparked a strange desire to try it yourself next year, you need to know what it takes to get to the start line—both physically and financially.

The Qualification Hurdle

You cannot simply buy a ticket to Comrades. You have to earn it. To qualify, you must be at least 20 years old and complete a formally timed, standard 42.2 km marathon in under 4 hours and 50 minutes within the designated qualifying window (typically running from around June of the previous year to early May of the race year).

The Training Blueprint (And the Cut-Offs)

Finishing an ultra-marathon requires a massive, months-long lifestyle commitment. Most training programs span 4 to 6 months, demanding peak training weeks of 60 to 100+ kilometers of running, inclusive of back-to-back long weekend runs and relentless hill repeats.

Your specific training volume dictates which medal you can realistically target within the strict 12-hour time limit. Elite and advanced elite runners aiming for a Gold, Wally Hayward, or Silver medal must lock in a target time ranging from sub-6:00 to sub-7:30 hours, which demands a massive training base of roughly 90 to 120+ kilometers per week alongside masterful pacing and high intensity. Hardcore amateur athletes targeting a sub-7:30 to sub-9:00 hour finish to secure an Isavel Roche-Kelly or Bill Rowan medal generally require a training base of 80 to 100 kilometers per week, focusing heavily on excellent hill strength and consistent tempo work. If you are a serious recreational runner aiming for a sub-10:00 to sub-11:00 hour target to earn a Robert Mtshali or Bronze medal, your training preparation should look like a steady 60 to 80 kilometers per week with a heavy focus on building long, slow distance endurance. Finally, the ultimate survivalists looking to cross the line just before the final gun for a sub-12:00 hour Vic Clapham medal typically build up a training base of 50 to 70 kilometers per week while mastering a disciplined run-walk strategy and absolute mental resilience.

The Reality Check: The Comrades Marathon waits for no one. There are strict interim cut-off points along the route. If you miss a cut-off by a single second, you are pulled off the course. At 12 hours exactly, officials turn their backs to the approaching runners at the stadium finish line and fire a gun. If you are one meter short, you do not get a medal.

The Financial Investment

Preparing for Comrades is a line item in your personal budget. For a first-timer looking ahead to next year, expect to plan for:

• Gear: You will easily burn through two to three pairs of high-quality running shoes during training (costing R2,500 to R4,000 per pair).
• Entries & Club Fees: Joining a local running club, licensing with Athletics South Africa (ASA), and the Comrades entry fee itself.
• Nutrition: Energy gels, recovery shakes, and hydration packs used over months of long runs add up significantly.
• Travel & Lodging: Flight or petrol costs to KwaZulu-Natal, plus booking accommodation months in advance in Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

The Elite Stage: Who to Watch This Year

At the sharp end of the field, the racing will be tactical and ferocious. The 2026 Up Run features a fascinating mix of local icons and international heavyweights chasing a massive R925,000 winner's purse (plus a hefty R605,000 bonus if the course record falls).

Keep an eye out for defending champion and Dutch superstar Piet Wiersma, who has been sharpening his form at altitude in Kenya. He will face an incredibly strong local contingent, notably from the high-altitude training camps of the Nedbank Running Club, which includes exciting debutants like 41-year-old Lucky Mohale (who turned heads with a brilliant podium finish at the Two Oceans Marathon last year). Despite changes in team line-ups across the field this year, the deep pool of local South African ultra-runners ensures that the battle across the Valley of a Thousand Hills will be an absolute spectacle.

Best of Luck to the Class of 2026!

To every runner reading this who is currently checking their race kit for the tenth time, trying to stay calm, and drinking water like it’s going out of style: you have done the work. The cold winter mornings, the blistered feet, and the long, lonely weekend miles are in the bank.

We wish all of you the absolute best with the remainder of your tapering programs. Trust your training, respect the hills, listen to your body, and don't change anything new on race day.

May your pacing be smart, your support crews be loud, and your race be unforgettable. Run strong, stay safe, and above all else, have a good time out there on the road to Pietermaritzburg!