Jun
14
2026
Comrades Marathon
The first Comrades Marathon took place on 24th May 1921, Empire Day, starting outside the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg with 34 runners. It was established in memory of the fallen soldiers from South Africa in World War I and has continued since then every year with, the exception of the war years 1941-1945, with the direction alternating each year between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, the so called up and down runs.
The course varies from uphill (Durban to Pietermaritzburg) to downhill (Pietermaritzburg to Durban) depending on the year, with the downhills being run on even numbered years and uphill on the odd numbered years.
The 2026 event will be an uphill run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
Less than an hour’s drive from the hotel you can access local Game Parks, visit the quaint Kwazulu-Natal Midlands and experience the local Zulu Culture at traditional Zulu cultural villages. Talk to us about the options for your stay in South Africa.
To make your trip to the Comrades Marathon run smoothly we can arrange all your travel and accommodation needs - hotel accommodation with a range of options, transfer to/from the race expo, pre-race dinner and race day briefing, race day transport, airport transfers and our representative on the ground to assist you for the duration of your stay.
Prices
2026 Comrades Marathon Packages
RunFun Travel is pleased to offer a 4d/3nt Package for the Comrades Marathon (Entry not included)
2026 prices will be updated shortly - 2025 remains indicative.
In order to provide your with complete flexibility for your trip we have three options available for your Comrades Marathon weekend.
- Exclusive Package, 4* accommodation at the Premier Hotel, Umhlanga, from $770 pp twin share and $1060 single
- Standard Package, 3* accommodation at the Premier Splendid Inn, Umhlanga, from $680 pp twin share and $910 single
- Budget Package, accommodation at the Road Lodge, Umhlanga, from $540 pp twin share and $710 single
Additional nights available on request.
Included
• 3 nights’ accommodation on a twin share basis at your choice of hotel, from Friday 6 June
• Breakfast daily, Exclusive/Standard Packages (can be booked with the hotel for the Budget Package)
• Shuttle service to the Durban Exhibition Centre on Saturday to collect your race pack
• Transfers to the start in Pietermaritzburg and back from the finish line in Durban to your hotel
• Meet and Greet at designated point at finish line to hand out bags
• Our representative on hand to assist you during your stay
Excluded
• Flights
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure (can be booked)
• Pre-race dinner and Race Day Briefing (details to be confirmed and can be booked at a later date)
• Personal expenses
• Optional Sight Seeing Tours
• Travel Insurance – for your peace of mind RunFun Travel offers travel insurance to cater for all your travel plans. Please contact us for further information or obtain a quick quote on our website.
Contact us directly for a discount on your travel insurance!
Accommodation
Comrades Marathon Accommodation
Exclusive Package | 4* Premier Hotel, Umhlanga
Set in Umhlanga, 2.6 km from Umhlanga Main Beach, Premier Hotel Umhlanga offers accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. This 4-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. Guests can have a drink at the bar. The hotel will provide guests with air conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. The units feature a wardrobe. A buffet, à la carte or continental breakfast is available at the property. Guests at Premier Hotel Umhlanga will be able to enjoy activities in and around Durban, like fishing and cycling. Umhlanga rocks Beach is 2.8 km from the accommodation, while Bronze Beach is 2.8 km from the property. King Shaka International Airport is 18 km away
Standard Package | 3* Premier Splendid Inn, Umhlanga
Located in Umhlanga, 2.6 km from Umhlanga Main Beach, Premier Splendid Inn Umhlanga provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar. The property is set 2.8 km from Umhlanga rocks Beach, 2.8 km from Bronze Beach and 2.1 km from Umhlanga Lighthouse. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi. All units at the hotel come with air conditioning, seating area, flatscreen TV with satellite channels, safety deposit box and private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Guest rooms will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. Breakfast is available daily, and includes buffet, à la carte and continental options. The area is popular for cycling, and car hire is available at this 3-star hotel. Kings Park Stadium is 14 km from Premier Splendid Inn Umhlanga, while Moses Mabhida Stadium is 15 km away. King Shaka International Airport is 18 km from the property.
Budget Package | Road Lodge, Umhlanga, Durban
Adjacent to the Gateway Theatre of Shopping's sprawling indoor mall with upscale stores, cinemas mini-golf and a waterpark, this budget hotel is 4 km from the beach and 18 km from King Shaka International Airport. Laid back guestrooms have ensuite bathrooms with showers. All rooms feature conservative decor, TVs, radios and desks. Some rooms offer sleeper chairs. A breakfast buffet is offered. The outdoor pool is surrounded by a stone sundeck with umbrella shaded tables and chairs. Free parking is available.
Itinerary
2026 4d/3nt Comrades Marathon Itinerary
Friday 12 June
Arrive King Shaka International airport.
Transfer on arrival (where booked).
Arrive at your hotel for your 3nt stay on Bed and Breakfast basis (Exclusive/Standard packages) or room only basis (Budget Package.
Saturday 13 June
09:00 Expo and race pack pickup - return shuttle service provided to the Comrades Expo in Durban.
17:00 Pre-race Dinner and race briefing (TBC)
Sunday 14 June
Comrades Marathon!
Shuttle transfer to the race start (time TBC)
Meet at the finish line to collect your bag
Transfer back to your hotel
Monday 15 June
Check out of hotel
Airport transfer (where booked)
Additional nights available on request.
