This is it – Ziyasha! It’s happening! The 2023 Comrades campaign slogan summed up the feelings around next year’s event as the organising body of the world’s greatest ultramarathon hosted its launch at Comrades House on Tuesday.
Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Chairperson, Mqondisi Ngcobo unveiled the slogan, “This is it – Ziyasha”, as runners and supporters anticipate the 2023 running of The Ultimate Human Race.
The launch was attended by members of the media, road-running dignitaries, CMA sponsors, stakeholders, reigning champ, Tete Dijana, former winners and other elite athletes.
Ngcobo said, “The slogan goes in hand with the hype and excitement that is building around next year’s race, which is largely a result of the immense success of this year’s Comrades Marathon. The return of The Ultimate Human Race signalled a sense of jubilation and freedom for runners, both in South Africa and around the world. As organisers of this larger-than-life event, we count on the support of runners and share in the joy of being able to run again.”
The 96th Comrades Marathon will be a Down Run on Sunday, 11 June 2023, starting at the inland City of Pietermaritzburg at 05h30 and ending 12 hours later in the coastal City of Durban. Due to the ongoing roadworks, the distance will be approximately 90km. This will be the 48th Comrades Down Run, which is finally on par with the same number of Up Runs.
The entry period opens at midday today and will close at 16h30 on 9 December 2022 or once the entry cap of 20 000 has been reached, whichever comes first.
Entry fees remain the same as that of the 2022 Comrades and are as follows:
- South Africa 2023 Entrants R1 200
- Rest of Africa 2023 Entrants R2 000
- International 2023 Entrants R4 500
2020 International and ROA entrants who did not participate in the 2022 event will not be required to pay an entry fee. This will be the last year in which deferred entries can be utilized.
Deferred foreign entries may NOT be substituted out for the 2023 Comrades Marathon.
Entry fee is waived for holders of 25 or more Comrades medals.
• Online entries can be done via the Comrades Marathon website – click here.
CMA Race Director, Rowyn James says, “Our runners have spoken and we have listened; and in that line are pleased to be returning to our June race date. As usual, our race organising committee plans to pull out all the stops in ensuring a hugely exciting race day for our athletes. Qualifying for the 2023 Comrades Marathon is applicable as of 25 September 2022 till 2 May 2023. The qualifying criteria for this year’s Comrades Marathon remains unchanged, requiring completion of a standard 42.2km marathon in under 4 hours and 50 minutes, or a 56km ultra-marathon in under 6 hours and 45 minutes.”
The Substitution Process will run over the month of March and April 2023. More details will be revealed closer to the time.
James also confirmed that prize money for the 2023 Comrades Marathon has been increased by 15% across the board, meaning that the winner in both the Men’s and Women’s races will win a cool R300,000 with a total prize purse of over R2-million, which includes a cash payment of R300,000 should the Winners break the Best Time previously recorded for the Down Run in both the Men’s and Women’s races.
Since inception, the Comrades Amabeadibeadi charity drive has raised more than R66-million for the CMA’s official charities. Our selected charities for 2023 are Childhood Cancer Foundation SA (CHOC), Community Chests of Pietermaritzburg & Durban, Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, Rise Against Hunger and WildTrust.
Ngcobo has called on all runners to support the incredible work of the CMA in raising funds for charity, saying, “Every day, in one small way, we can each contribute to the welfare and well-being of those who need our compassion and generosity. We call on all aspirant 2023 entrants to select the Official Comrades Charity closest to their heart and dedicate their run to this special cause. One of the CMA’s focus areas is to benefit the communities in which we operate and to add value to our chosen sport of road running.”
The CMA also presented the Comrades Winners Jacket to reigning Comrades Champ, Tete Morena Dijana. Ngcobo said, “We are very proud to be able to present this coveted token of victory to our humble and highly deserving 2022 Comrades Marathon Men’s Winner. Mr Dijana exhibits the very noble traits associated with this great race and he cannot be more deserving of this esteemed Winners Jacket.”
