At the Infantry School Cango Marathon, the women’s marathon field saw Nedbank athletes feature prominently, led by Carla Spangenberg who claimed victory in 02:54:16. Nerida Lubbe added further quality with a third-place finish in 02:59:18, while Mahri Constant rounded out the team’s marathon results with a solid 10th place in 03:11:23. The same event delivered standout half marathon performances, where the men dominated the front of the race: Ettiene Plaatjies secured the win in 01:07:40, followed closely by Bruce Maboza in second (01:09:14). Kallie Burger continued the strong team showing with sixth place in 01:13:48. On the women’s side, Melissa van Rensburg took the win in 01:25:32, with Hanlie Schamrel (8th, 01:37:16) and Annatjie Botes (9th, 01:37:16) adding valuable top-ten finishes.

In the Western Cape, the Century City Express 10km saw Sarah Silber place sixth in the women’s race with a competitive 00:39:10. Further north at the TRACN4 Elands Marathon, the club’s women delivered a strong marathon double, with Jeannie Henderson finishing sixth in 02:55:40 and Mapaseka Makhanya close behind in seventh in 02:57:30. The half marathon at Elands also showcased Nedbank’s depth in the men’s field, where Jacob Kiplagat claimed third in 01:06:44, Maphuti Globias Majetja followed in fourth (01:07:58), and Ntutuko Masego finished ninth in 01:12:39.

In Gqeberha, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY 10K once again proved to be one of the fastest stages in the country, and Nedbank athletes rose to the occasion. Isaac Ndiema produced an excellent run to take second place in 00:27:58, while Leonard Pkorirm added another top-ten finish with seventh in 00:28:49—an impressive result in a deep, high-quality field.

The Urithi Legacy Race delivered multiple podium moments for the club across both the half marathon and 10km. In the men’s 21.1km, Jacob Kiplagat Koech secured victory in 01:12:50, with Kabelo Melamu making it a Nedbank one-two finish in 01:13:16. Tebogo Mokgosinyane added a podium for the women with third place in 01:39:07. Over 10km, Joel Orioki Omwoyo placed third in 00:31:06, and Silvester Kipkemboi Kipsang finished eighth in 00:32:24. The women’s 10km also brought strong results, with Emely Chauke taking second in 00:41:28 and Ezna Flattery finishing fourth in 00:45:02.

At the Cape Gate Vaal Marathon, athletes were tested by particularly tough conditions, with the race taking place in pouring rain and sections of the route lightly flooded, making every kilometre a measure of resilience as much as fitness. Despite the challenging weather, Nedbank athletes still featured strongly across the distances. Adele Broodryk delivered a standout performance to win the women’s marathon in 03:01:58, while Riaan van Zyl placed seventh in the men’s marathon in 02:39:06. In the half marathon, Divan Saayman (7th, 01:21:14) and Karabo Koenaite (9th, 01:22:29) both finished inside the top ten for the men, and Lauren Kruger continued the strong women’s results with fourth place in 01:28:17. The 10km added another podium, with Rearabetswe Mokoena finishing second in the men’s race in 00:35:59.

The Sunrise Monster 10km produced a one-two finish for the club in the women’s race, with Jacqueline Lotter taking the win in 00:51:40 and Liesel-Mari Fritz (1st Veteran) following in second in 00:52:45. In the men’s race, Adriaan Cronje (1st Veteran) placed sixth in 00:41:44, with James Chapman (3rd Junior) close behind in seventh in 00:42:39. Sekgwane Moloele 3rd Master male and Frances Van Blerk 1st 70+ female

At the BielieMielie Marathon, Thato Calvin Buthelezi secured third place in the men’s marathon in 03:04:33, while the 10km delivered more podium success. Bongani Hlongwane finished second in the men’s race in 00:36:23, and the women’s race was led by Shanice Peens who claimed victory in 00:40:08, with Carle Steenkamp adding fourth place in 00:51:43.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the club’s women’s team also delivered an outstanding collective performance at The Best of the Best Marathon, with Fikile Mbuthuma earning silver in the 42.2km, Nonhle Lo’slenda Dlamini taking bronze in the 21.1km, and Nokuthula Dladla Ntshangase securing bronze in the 10km.

Across every venue and distance, Nedbank Running Club athletes demonstrated consistency, competitiveness, and depth, turning a busy weekend of racing into a statement of intent for the season ahead. The Nedbank Running Club continues to demonstrate its incredible reach and talent, reinforcing its position as a powerhouse in South African athletics across every distance and terrain.

Those runners who are still looking to secure an entry, as well as those runners who want to make their entry available for substitution, are therefore urged to take careful note of the new process and dates.

Race Director Sue Forge explains: “The demand for the Comrades Marathon continues to far exceed the number of available entries, and this year’s sell-out once again highlighted just how competitive the process has become. In introducing the ballot system, we carefully considered global best practice, as well as valuable feedback received from our runners. Many shared the very real challenges they face when entries open, including limited access to technology, limited or no access to reliable internet, work commitments, and time zone differences for our international runners.”

“Runners have been front of mind in making this critical change. The ballot system for the Substitution Process has been introduced to ensure a fair opportunity for all runners who were unable to secure an entry when registration opened,” continues Forge. “By moving away from a first-come, first-served model, we are removing the pressure to log in the moment that substitution applications open. We're also giving runners a three-week window to apply for a substitute entry, so there is no advantage to applying early, and no need to rush or panic – all valid applications received during the substitution window will go into the draw.”

The number of available substitution entries will depend on the total number of withdrawals received during the official withdrawal period.

On a related note, Forge addressed a growing misconception regarding 2026 entries and the 2027 Centenary race. “We know many runners are already looking ahead to 2027, which will mark the 100th edition of the Comrades Marathon and will feature special centenary celebrations. Demand is expected to be even higher than usual.”

“We have, however, become aware that some runners who do not intend to participate in 2026 are holding onto their entries under the mistaken belief that this will secure them a place in 2027. To be clear, retaining a 2026 entry does not guarantee entry into the highly anticipated 2027 Centenary edition, and we strongly encourage any runner who does not plan to run in 2026 to withdraw officially and make their entry available to another runner,” concludes Forge.

Importantly, all withdrawals and substitution applications must be processed online via the official Comrades Marathon Entry System on the Comrades website (www.comrades.com) or Comrades Marathon App. Entries may not be sold, transferred, exchanged, or facilitated privately between runners under any circumstances.

Runners Seeking a 2026 Substitute Entry
Application Period: 12 March 2026 (10:00 SAST / UTC+2) – 2 April 2026 (16:30 SAST)

How It Works:

• Runners must log into and apply via the official Comrades Marathon Entry System.
• Completed applications will be entered into a ballot draw.
• Application into the ballot does not guarantee a race entry.
• A non-refundable R10 transaction fee applies at application stage.

Entry Fees (unchanged):

• South Africa: R1200
• Rest of Africa: R2500
• International: R4500
• Note: Runners may also donate to charity or purchase a “Win a Car” ticket during application. These amounts will be included in the total debit should the entry be successful in the ballot draw.

Selection & Payment Process:

• After 2 April, provisionally selected applicants will receive email notification.
• Entry fees will be automatically debited within 24 hours of receiving this notification, from the card used during application.
• Charity donations and “Win a Car” tickets will be included in the final debit.
• If the first debit attempt fails, a second attempt will be made.
• If both attempts fail, the entry will be forfeited and reallocated via redraw.
• All applicants will be notified of the final outcome by 10 April 2026.

Successful entrants will have until 4 May 2026 to meet the qualifying criteria. All standard race rules apply.

Runners Wishing to Withdraw Their 2026 Entry
Withdrawal Period: 16 March 2026 – 30 March 2026

Process:

• Fully paid entrants must log into their 2026 entry profile and select the “I want to substitute my entry” button.
• The CMA will refund 85% of the original entry fee, provided the entry is successfully substituted.
• Once substituted, the original entry cannot be reinstated.
• If an entry is not successfully substituted, it will automatically remain active.
• All withdrawing runners will be notified by 10 April 2026 of the outcome.

Runners are invited to check out the handy FAQ article on the Comrades Marathon website, which will answer all their questions about the new Substitution Process:
https://comrades.com/blog/posts/faq-on-2026-comrades-marathon-ballot-based-substitution-process

Comrades Marathon Association Warns Runners Against Entry Scams

It has been brought to the attention of the CMA that there are scammers attempting to trick aspirant Comrades Marathon entrants into paying exorbitant sums of money for a guaranteed late entry into the 2026 race.

“We’ve seen many runners posting on social media that they are desperate to secure an entry during the Substitution Window. The scammers are targeting these runners by sending them direct messages, or contacting them via different means, claiming they can sell them an entry, or organise one for them,” says Forge.”

“The scammers either offer to sell their own entry to the aspirant entrant or claim that they can ‘make a plan’ for these runners by speaking directly to senior CMA officials, such as the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson of the CMA Board, who they claim to have direct access to, but that they need a large sum of money to do so. This was recently brought to the attention of our CMA Vice-Chairperson, Nontuthuko Mashimane, when she was contacted by a runner who wished to report being approached by one scammer who demanded three thousand Rand to facilitate this entry,” continues Forge.

“This is fraudulent, and any such offer is most definitely a scam. The Substitution Process via the official Comrades Marathon Entry System on the Comrades website or Comrades Marathon App is the only legitimate way to gain entry into the 2026 race, and no money or entry vouchers should be exchanged between runners. We urge runners to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and not to fall victim to these scams,” concludes Forge.