COMRADES MARATHON RESPONSE TO RECENT PUBLIC DISCOURSE
On 8 June 2025, with the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon, thousands of runners from South Africa and around the world once again demonstrated the power of the human spirit in The Ultimate Human Race. We congratulate every runner and honour the impact they continue to have, both on themselves and their communities.
For more than a century, the Comrades Marathon has united people from diverse backgrounds, nationalities and beliefs, through endurance, camaraderie and personal achievement. It is a race rooted in resilience – not politics.
In light of recent media and social commentary, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) reaffirms that it does not condone any form of discrimination, harassment, or conduct that compromises the dignity or safety of any runner. Further to this, we urge those engaging or commenting publicly to verify facts before circulating claims that are inaccurate or misleading.
Our mission is to host a safe and inclusive event for all participants. We regret any instances where individuals may have felt unsafe or targeted – regardless of nationality, race, religion or political affiliation. The CMA works closely with professional security teams, and both local and national safety authorities, to ensure the best possible environment for all involved. This commitment is ongoing.
The Comrades Marathon is a race, not a rally. The CMA is, and has always been, politically neutral, and we ask all participants, spectators, volunteers and partners to respect that position. Operational protocols, including those governing conduct along the route, are continuously reviewed to ensure alignment with our values and relevant legal frameworks.
Before and after race day, the CMA engaged with a range of individuals and organisations representing differing ideological and political viewpoints. Throughout, we have made it clear that the Comrades Marathon is not a platform for partisanship. While we respect the deeply held convictions of these individuals and organisations, the CMA cannot be drawn into adjudicating complex geopolitical matters.
The essence of the Comrades lies in its ability to connect people across divides – national, racial, religious and political – through a shared celebration of human perseverance and possibility. It is this legacy we are committed to protecting. We recognise that global events can shape individual experiences and perspectives, and we hold space for that, but our role is not to resolve international conflict – it is to provide a platform for unity through sport.
We remain steadfast in our founding values: Solidarity, resilience and mutual respect. We trust that all who care about this race will help preserve its unique role as a unifying force in an often divided world.
