MBABANE – EmaSwati heading to South Africa for the Comrades Marathon chase a whopping purse of over E8 million.
The countdown is almost over for the 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon, which returns on Sunday. This year’s event features the gruelling ‘Up Run’ challenging journey for athletes, as they climb inland from the coast to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Starting outside the Durban City Hall and concluding at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg, the race has drawn an expansive field of 21 633 capped entries.
The international contingent is said to be particularly strong this year, with significant delegations arriving from Zimbabwe, Botswana, India, the United Kingdom and Eswatini to conquer what is widely regarded as ‘The Ultimate Human Race’.
Athletes tackling the route this year will cover an official distance of 85.777 kilometres. Remarkably, this makes the 2026 course the shortest ‘Up Run’ in recent memory, measuring 133 metres shorter than the 2024 route.
Despite the slightly reduced distance, the race remains a brutal test of endurance, featuring relentless climbs up famous hills that have broken the spirits of many seasoned runners over the decades.
Over 60 emaSwati will line-up for the legendary event, which features a combined pool of over E8.2 million in guaranteed winnings and performance-driven incentive bonuses. The cash rewards are strictly equal for both the men’s and women’s categories.
As per information sought from the event website, a total pool of E4.62 million is dedicated solely to the overall top 10 finishers. In addition to the cash, the top 10 men and women across the line receive a solid gold medal.
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Khaya Zwane will be doing his first Comrades Marathon. (Courtesy pic)