Athletics SA cuts ties with Comrades Marathon

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Athletics South Africa says the 2027 Comrades Marathon will not appear on its calendars because sanctioning requirements were not met.

• Comrades members voted against joining ASA and KZN Athletics, saying they can organise the famous race independently.

Athletics South Africa has formally distanced itself from the Comrades Marathon and will not include the race on its official calendars.

ASA says organisers have failed to meet the governance and regulatory requirements needed for the race to be sanctioned.

“The organisers have not satisfied the requirements necessary for sanctioning,” ASA said.

The dispute follows a vote by Comrades Marathon Association members on 1 August.

Members decided not to affiliate with ASA or KwaZulu-Natal Athletics.

The CMA argues there is no legal requirement for the race to belong to either organisation and says it can continue operating independently.

“We are confident that we have the resources, experience and commitment to continue presenting a world-class event,” CMA chairman Mark Leathers said, BusinessTech reported.

ASA disagrees.

It says all athletics and road-running events must follow the same rules and standards.

“These requirements apply equally to all event organisers and cannot be selectively applied or disregarded,” ASA said.

The athletics body has now confirmed that the 100th Comrades Marathon has not been authorised or sanctioned through KwaZulu-Natal Athletics.

The disagreement comes ahead of a major milestone for one of South Africa’s best-known sporting events.

The 2027 race will be the 100th Comrades Marathon.

The event also brings significant money into KwaZulu-Natal.

The 2026 race was estimated to have generated about R1-billion in economic value, including R210-million in direct visitor spending.

Despite losing ASA backing, the CMA says it intends to continue organising the race independently.

Pictured above: Comrades Marathon runners.

Image source: File