Eyes on the Prize: Comrades Preparation Underway

While our athletes have been dominating the local racing circuits, the focus for many is already shifting to the upcoming Comrades Marathon.

The majority of our elite squad members are currently locked into intensive training camps, dialing in their final preparations to ensure everything is sorted for race day. The team is strategically positioned across three key locations: one camp is based in Dullstroom, another is hard at work in Underberg, and over in Kenya, defending uprun champion Piet Wiersma is putting in the crucial mileage required to defend his title.

These exemplary performances across all terrains highlight the incredible dedication of the Nedbank Running Club. From elite podium finishes and world-ranking advancements to inspiring personal milestones and focused marathon preparation, our athletes continue to showcase the values of grit and excellence. The club extends its warmest congratulations to every runner who wore the green colors this past weekend and proudly represented the team on the local and international stage.

Nedbank Running Club Achieves Stellar Results Across Multiple Events

It was another highly successful weekend for the Nedbank Running Club as athletes delivered outstanding performances and secured podium finishes.

The prestigious Sanlam Cape Town Marathon festival of running proved to be a major highlight of the weekend, yielding exceptional results across the board. In the trail running division, Heidi de Jager put on a masterclass performance in the 11km Cape Town Trail Run, claiming first place overall in the women's category with a stellar time of 01:01:27. In the 43km trail race, Charles Soza conquered a demanding course to secure first place in the men's 40-49 age category.

On the road, the 10km Peace Run saw top performances from the club. Kimara Solms represented the club excellently, earning a tenth-place finish overall in the women's category with a time of 36:46. In the age category divisions, the veteran athletes truly shone. In the women's 40-49 age group, Tanya Posthumus-Fox delivered a strong performance to finish in fourth place with a time of 41:32, followed closely by teammate Rolandi Schutte, who claimed fifth place in 41:40. In the men's 50-59 division, Andrew Cooper ran a superb race to secure fifth place, crossing the finish line in 38:11.

The marathon distance itself brought both elite progression and deeply inspiring personal achievements. Ingrid Koster delivered a phenomenal performance, climbing higher in the world rankings. The club also celebrates its dedicated treasurer, Martin Naude, who proudly completed his tenth Cape Town Marathon, achieving a major milestone in consistency and dedication. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, Melanie Streicher successfully crossed the finish line of her first marathon ever, marking a fantastic debut at the distance.

At the Love Running Race, the club’s athletes made a strong statement in the men’s 10km event. Albert Kangor led the race, claiming first place overall with an impressive time of 35:53. Elias Mabane also delivered a commendable performance, crossing the finish line in 38:14 to secure third place.

Meanwhile, at the highly competitive Bhamshela Race, the green team showed great resilience in another 10km battle. Benjamin Nyongesa narrowly missed the podium but secured a fifth-place finish, crossing the line in 31:23. He was closely followed by teammate Victor Lapit, who took sixth place just eleven seconds later with a time of 31:34.

In cross-country action, the club's master athletes proved their enduring class and dominance. Thabang Madiba finished first in his age category. Frances Van Blerk and Dalene Sonnekus both produced brilliant performances to claim first place in their respective age groups, while Marie Snyman-Jacobs added to the medal haul with an excellent second-place finish in her age category.

New Start Time, Three-Group Start and Enhanced Cut-off System Introduced for 2026 Comrades Marathon

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is both pleased and proud to announce a series of significant operational enhancements for the 2026 Comrades Marathon Up Run, taking place on Sunday, 14 June. This will be the 99th edition of The Ultimate Human Race, which also marks the historic 50th Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, and will cover an officially measured distance of 85.777km.

The race will introduce an earlier start time, a three-group start format and an enhanced cut-off system. All runners will continue to receive the full 12 hours to complete the race, with each group’s official race time commencing at the firing of the start gun for that specific group. Starting in an earlier group will therefore not provide additional time to complete the race. All finishing times will be verified post-finish, with medal eligibility confirmed at the medal tent.

The changes follow extensive operational analysis, safety and medical assessments, technical reviews, as well as a detailed review of runner feedback following the successful implementation of a two-group start model in 2025. The enhancements for 2026 form part of the CMA’s ongoing commitment to continuously improving operational delivery, runner safety, medical accessibility on the route, and the overall runner experience, while preserving the traditions and spirit that make the Comrades Marathon one of the world’s most iconic sporting events.

In the 2025 edition of the race, two starting groups set off at 05h45 and 06h00. The revised official start times for the 2026 Comrades Marathon will be:

• Group 1: 05h00
• Group 2: 05h15
• Group 3: 05h30

“A key consideration in the introduction of the earlier start time was the opportunity to maximise daylight running conditions for participants,” explains CMA Race Director Sue Forge. “Unlike the Down Run, the earlier sections of the Up Run are generally well lit, allowing the race to safely commence earlier with staggered starts while the field remains at its most congested. This approach significantly enhances runner safety and comfort, as well as medical accessibility, during the early stages of the race, when participant density is highest.”

“The earlier start time will also enable a greater number of runners to reach the latter stages of the race, including the demanding Polly Shortts climb and the final approach into Pietermaritzburg, during daylight hours, further improving visibility, safety and the overall runner experience,” she adds.

THREE STARTS, ONE COMRADES SPIRIT
Building on the operational success of the two-group start introduced in 2025, the CMA has expanded the model to three controlled starts for 2026. Forge says, “The 2025 two-group start model delivered meaningful improvements in congestion management, route flow and emergency access. Feedback from runners, medical teams, safety officials and technical experts confirmed that the staggered start approach materially improved both operational delivery and the runner experience.”

Overall, the CMA believes the three-group start format will deliver several key benefits, including:

• Reduced congestion and crowd pressure at the start.
• Improved runner flow across the route.
• Better access for medical, emergency and safety vehicles.
• Enhanced safety at traditionally congested sections of the course.
• Improved service flow through refreshment stations.
• Reduced pressure on runners to recover lost time after crossing the start line.
• More open road running and improved pacing opportunities.
• Improved spectator visibility and engagement.
• A more comfortable and enjoyable race experience for runners across all pacing groups.
• Improved finish-line flow and overall operational efficiency.

“With a confirmed field of 21,633 qualified runners this year, the revised format is designed to significantly improve athlete flow from the start precinct through the narrowest sections of the route and into the finish precinct in Pietermaritzburg,” says Forge. “It will allow runners greater freedom of movement from the outset, while also reducing pressure points traditionally experienced during the early stages of the race.”

The staggered start system also allows the CMA to retain the race’s long-standing “gun-to-mat” principle, ensuring that each group competes within its own official 12-hour race window. Importantly, the traditional and iconic elements of the Comrades Marathon start experience will remain part of the race morning programme, including the singing of the National Anthem and Shosholoza, and the playing of Chariots of Fire and Max Trimborn’s famous cock-crow. Group 1 runners will experience the full traditional start programme, while Groups 2 and 3 will enjoy a shortened yet equally inspirational version ahead of their respective starts.

“While we continue to evolve operationally, protecting the traditions and spirit of Comrades remains incredibly important to us,” says Forge. “Every runner will still experience the emotion, atmosphere and iconic build-up that makes the Comrades Marathon so special.”

ENHANCED CUT-OFF SYSTEM
The 2026 race will also introduce an enhanced ‘traffic-light’ cut-off system at the on-route intermediate cut-off points, designed to provide runners with clearer pacing guidance throughout the race, while supporting safer route management and more efficient operational deployment. All cut-offs will be based on the final start group departing at 05h30.

As runners approach a cut-off point, they will be provided with a simple colour-based pacing guidance warning system:

• Green Zone – GO: Runners reaching a cut-off point within the green zone remain comfortably within the required pacing strategy needed to complete the race within the official 12-hour limit.
• Amber Zone – WARNING: Runners entering the amber zone are approaching the final reasonable pacing threshold. While they may continue, they must maintain or improve their pace to reach the next cut-off point or finish within the allotted time. Rescue bus officials may advise runners who are unlikely to sustain the required pace to board official rescue vehicles.
• Red Zone – CUT-OFF: Runners arriving at a cut-off point in the red zone will not be permitted to continue and will be required to board official rescue buses.

Forge says this new system is intended to give runners clearer and more practical information throughout the day while supporting the operational realities of managing a world-class ultra-marathon across an extensive route network. “Cut-offs are an essential operational and safety requirement that enable the controlled reopening of public roads, while also ensuring that medical, safety and logistical teams can operate effectively throughout the event,” she explains.

“The ‘traffic-light’ system is designed to help runners better understand their pacing position during the race and make informed decisions before reaching critical cut-off points. It also allows officials to identify runners who are unlikely to safely reach the next cut-off or the finish within the official time limit.”

CUT-OFF SCHEDULE CONFIRMED
The CMA encourages all runners to carefully study the official 2026 cut-off schedule and pacing guidelines ahead of race day. The published pacing schedule reflects the estimated pace required for runners starting in Group 3 at 05h30 to reach the finish shortly before the final 12-hour cut-off at 17h30. Runners aiming for a more comfortable finish are encouraged to maintain a pace faster than the published guideline.

“It is important for runners to understand that cut-off times are operational requirements and not pacing targets,” says Forge. “Proper pacing strategy remains one of the most important factors in achieving a successful Comrades finish.”

Comrades Marathon Announces Runner Seeding for 2026 Race Start

With just over four weeks to go until the 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday 14 June, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has completed the process of allocating runners to start groups and seeding batches. This process followed the closing date on 4 May for runners to submit their qualifying details and complete their entry profile checklists, with 21,633 athletes successfully qualifying to start the 2026 race.

Qualified runners can now check their official seeding on the Comrades Marathon website by searching for their names on the 2026 entry list at https://comrades.com/race-info/2026-entry-list.

As announced by the CMA on Tuesday 12 May, the 2026 Comrades Marathon will feature a new three-group start system, with an earlier start time. Each group will be divided into smaller seeding batches, with runners allocated based on the qualifying time submitted at the time of entry, with seedings arranged from fastest to slowest qualifying times.

As a guideline, runners with qualifying times faster than 04:03:00 have been allocated to Group 1, runners with qualifying times from 04:03:00 up to 04:32:59 have been allocated to Group 2, and runners with qualifying times from 04:33:00 up to 05:00:00 will start in Group 3.

2026 Start Group Breakdown
Breaking the groups down in more detail, this is how runners will line up on race day:

• Group 1: Batches A to G
  Purple Race Number Indicator
  Start time 05h00
  The Elite field will line up at the front of Batch A, followed by progressively seeded qualifiers through to Batch G. Approximately 9952 runners will make up Group 1.

Note: Age Category Contenders will be seeded in their respective qualifying batches according to qualifying times, as per the standard seeding rules.

• Group 2: Batches H to M
  Orange Race Number Indicator
  Start time 05h15
  A special Batch H will be positioned at the front of this group for those runners with 10 or more Comrades Marathon medals (Green Numbers) as well as those running as part of the CMA’s Race4Charity initiative who managed to raise more than R6000 before the 4 May cut-off. Batches J to M will follow according to standard qualifying times. Around 6704 runners will start in this group.

Note: Green Number Runners and Race4Charity runners with qualifying times faster than 04:03:00 will be seeded in Group 1 batches according to their qualifying times, as per the standard seeding rules.

• Group 3: Batches N to R
  Blue Race Number Indicator
  Start time 05h30
  Runners in Group 3 will be seeded according to qualifying times across batches N to R. Approximately 4972 runners will make up this final start group.

Please note: There are no Batches I or O, as these letters are excluded to avoid confusion with numerical digits.

UNDERSTANDING THE SEEDING
CMA Race Director Sue Forge explains that the division of runners into these three groups is designed to ensure runner safety, operational efficiency and race day comfort of all participants. “The allocation sees approximately 47% of runners in Group 1, 31% in Group 2, and 22% in Group 3. Our principal focus is reducing congestion on the road, improving access to emergency and medical support where required, and creating safer and more comfortable running conditions from the very start of the race, thereby enhancing runners’ overall race-day experience” says Forge.

“Most importantly, every runner will continue to receive the full 12 hours to complete the race, with each group’s official race time commencing when that group is signalled to set off. Starting in an earlier group will therefore not provide additional time to complete the race, as all finishing times will be verified post-finish, with medal eligibility confirmed at the medal tent,” adds Forge.

The 2025 race introduced a two-group start for the first time, significantly reducing congestion and allowing the final seeded runners to cross the start line in under six minutes, substantially faster than under previous single-start formats. The CMA expects that the three-group start system will further enhance race flow, improve comfort, and elevate the overall runner experience.

“Runners should not be alarmed if they receive a lower seeding in their group. This is simply due to improving safety at the start by reducing the number of runners per group, and increasing the number of batches,” says Forge. “Also, runners should keep in mind that the three-group start system will allow even the lowest-seeded runners at the back of Start Group 3 to cross the start line much sooner than in previous years, thereby giving you more time to reach the intermediate cut-off points along the route and to complete the race within the 12-hour final cut-off.”

STRICT SEEDING RULES
Race numbers will display the runner’s batch letter and race number, and their colour-coded start group indicator. These numbers must be worn throughout the race, visibly displayed on a runner’s front and back. Runners may start only in their allocated batch, or any batch further back within their allocated group. Moving forward into a faster group or earlier batch is strictly prohibited.

Runners will only be allowed to move back to a later start Group (e.g. from Group 1 to Group 2, or Group 2 to Group 3). Runners wishing to do this must submit a written request to info@comrades.com, specifying the preferred group and batch. Applications close at 16h30 (SA time) on Friday, 29 May 2026. Successful changes will incur a R200 reprint fee, payable at Race Pack Collection. Note: Only Green Number and Race4Charity runners seeded in Group 1 may request transfer into Batch H of Group 2.

“It is critical that runners line up correctly,” says Forge. “The timing system will identify runners attempting to start in faster groups or batches, and offenders will be disqualified and risk possible rejection of future Comrades Marathon entry applications. All finishing runners will have their race numbers verified before medals are issued, and any identified group or batch jumpers will be referred to the race officials.”

Forge emphasises that runners should take note that trying to start in a higher group by ‘group jumping’ will not give them more than 12 hours to finish the race, as each group still has 12 hours to cover the full distance. “The start groups and seeding batches have been carefully designed to create a safer, smoother and faster start process and race experience for all runners, so we encourage runners to trust the system and focus on enjoying their Comrades Marathon journey.”

IMPORTANT REMINDER TO RUNNERS
Seedings are available on the official entry list via the Comrades Marathon website at https://comrades.com/race-info/2026-entry-list. Runners can use the search function to locate their names and confirm their start group and batch. Any seeding-related queries should be directed to info@comrades.com. The CMA also encourages club secretaries and team managers to assist runners who may not have direct website access.

South Africa’s top women athletes will fight for SPAR Grand Prix points in a blockbuster Tshwane 10km showdown to open national Women’s Month in August

The 2026 SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane incorporating the SPAR Grand Prix is now officially open, and if today is anything to go by, 1 August 2026 is going to be one for the books. The launch of this year's race — the third leg of the prestigious SPAR Grand Prix series — kicked off in true SPAR style with community, conversation, and a whole lot of heart.

Reigning SPAR Grand Prix champion, Glenrose Xaba was joined at the official launch in a couch discussion at SuperSport Park in Centurion, Tshwane by teammates Kyla Jacobs and newly crowned African 1500m champion, Karabo More. Seasoned athletics commentator and running royalty Zintle Mkoko moderated a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation with some of South Africa's biggest voices in women's road running on the importance of the SPAR Women’s Challenge and SPAR Grand Prix on the country’s athletics calendar.

“As defending champion, there will be pressure on me as the competition in the SPAR Grand Prix remains fierce. But I am confident I can win four Tshwane titles in a row and am working hard to defend my title. It’s a afternoon race which makes conditions different and the course has its challenges due to inclines, but I love running in Tshwane and will be ready come race day.” Glenrose Xaba, reigning SPAR Grand Prix champion and national 10km record holder.

The conversation covered the legacy and growth of the SPAR Grand Prix over 18 years, the record R1,967,500 prize purse on offer in 2026. The session also unpacked SPAR's commitment to social change through its support of the #EndGBV and Ending Period Poverty (EPP) campaigns, and what the #CelebrateHer theme means to the women who will be on the start line on 1 August.

The day began with a feel-good moment on Jacaranda FM’s Breakfast with Martin, where the SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane team presented a donation of R100,000 to Irene Homes — a care facility that is home to 85 women. The donation was made live on air, in partnership with Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels programme, at SUPERSPAR Saxby.

The contribution comprises a brand-new blanket for each of the 85 women living in the facility, as well as R75,000 to kickstart a baking project that will enable the residents of Irene Homes to generate their own income and contribute to the financial sustainability of the facility. The morning brought warmth, generosity, and early energy to what promises to be a landmark year for women’s sport in Tshwane.

Irene Homes is a longstanding beneficiary of the SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane. This donation is a reflection of SPAR’s belief that sport has the power to change lives.

This year, the SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane rallies behind a theme that is as powerful as the women it celebrates: #CelebrateHer. In a world that too often asks women to shrink, to wait, or to prove themselves worthy of recognition, #CelebrateHer is a declaration — that women deserve to be seen, uplifted, and celebrated not only for what they achieve, but for who they are.

“The SPAR Women’s Challenge is so much more than a race. It is a platform — one that brings together sport, community, empowerment, and purpose in a way that few properties in South Africa can. Whether it is our elite athletes competing for Grand Prix glory, a first-time 5km runner crossing the finish line, our beneficiary organisations receiving life-changing support, or our campaigns against gender-based violence and period poverty — every single element of this property has one thing in common: celebrating and empowering women. And that is something very close to SPAR’s heart.” Mpudi Maubane, SPAR National PR, Communications & Sponsorships Manager

The SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane celebration will continue for the entire launch week, with activations at different SPAR stores across the region. Keep an eye on SPAR's social media channels to make sure you do not miss a single moment of the fun. From in-store surprises to media activations — follow along and stay in the loop.

sparwomenschallenge.co.za/tshwane

And as if a race T-shirt, a magazine, prize eligibility, and a shot at a Hyundai EXTER weren't enough — every finisher can look forward to a legendary goodie bag waiting at the finish line. Trust us, it is worth every step.

THIRSTI Spring Water is proud to be the official hydration partner of the Nedbank Running Club. With Comrades Marathon approaching on 14 June, we look forward to cheering on all the Nedbank runners taking on the “Ultimate Human Race".

We are inspired by the commitment, discipline, and strength shown by the athletes throughout their demanding training journey. Your hard work and perseverance do not go unnoticed, and we are proud to support you every step of the way.

Best of luck to all the runners preparing for Comrades 2026 — we’ll be cheering you on to the finish line!

AGN Provincial 5km Championships incorporated with the URun + Skosana Legend Race

Botshabelo Road Race - 30 May 2026