# Road running: Just over 21-thousand-600 athletes took to the street at 5 am this morning in the 2026 Comrades Marathon Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. The grueling 85.77 kilometre race is taking takes place under favourable weather conditions. The men’s race is expected to be fiercely contested, with defending champion Tete Dijana facing strong challenges from three-time winner Piet Wiersma and other top contenders. In the women’s race, Gerda Steyn is the overwhelming favourite as she chases a fourth consecutive Comrades title. Winners in both categories will earn prize money of 925-thousand-rand.
Road running: Excitement builds as Comrades Marathon begins