More Sports

Comrades Marathon Association votes to operate as a private competition

By Sunday World
Preferred Source Add as Preferred Source on Google Follow Google News Follow on Google News
ASA Deputy President John Mathane speaking at a press conference in Johannesburg
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 08: ASA Deputy President John Mathane during the press conference on the state of athletics in South Africa at Southern Sun Rosebank Hotel on May 08, 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The briefing is to address the recent challenges and priorities, including athlete development, governance, funding, and South Africa’s preparations for upcoming international competitions. (Photo by Gallo Images/Cecilia van Bers)

A right royale battle looms large between athletics authorities and organisers of the Comrades Marathon ahead of next year’s 100th running of the world famous race after the members of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) voted for autonomy.

In a poll conducted by the CMA, Sunday World learnt that 694 members voted against the CMA re-affiliating to KwaZulu Natal Athletics (KZNA) while just 338 voted in favour.

In getting to the “Strategic Approach to Provincial and National Athletics Structures” the CMA gave their members two options to choose from.

Option 1 – Accommodative Approach

“That the CMA continues to accommodate, where possible, the demands, requirements, and expectations of provincial and national athletics structures in the interests of reducing resistance and preserving an easier administrative path, recognising that this may perpetuate the present culture of external insertion into CMA and Comrades Marathon matters.”

Option 2 – CMA-First Approach

“That the CMA adopt a firm CMA-first and Comrades Marathon-first approach, under which the Association will not compromise on ethics, legality, CMA governance, financial responsibility towards the CMA, or the interests of the race, and will, if necessary, withstand the disputes or resistance that may follow.”

Based on the vote, the CMA will privately host the world popular +/- 90km race between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, a position that will be seen as undermining the country’s athletics authorities.

CMA had broken away from the provincial KZNA with the intent to affiliate directly to the national governing body Athletics South Africa (ASA). But earlier this week ASA’s acting president John Mathane categorically stated that there was no way the CMA could operate independently.

“Comrades Marathon can’t go alone. Comrades Marathon must belong somewhere,” Mathane told Sunday World in Bloemfontein during the launch of the Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10K.

Mathane sought to reassure runners that there was no danger of the famous race disappearing from the calendar by saying “The 100th edition is going to take place, but it’s going to take place under the rules.”

That last proviso could, however, throw a spanner in the works, with the CMA members’ voting to go alone. The CMA board and its members clearly believe the race – a cash cow not only for the organisers but for ASA and KZNA as well given the broadcasting rights – could be run privately.

The beef between CMA and KZNA stemmed from the provincial body insisting that CMA pay levies from this year’s race. CMA are of the view they should not be paying anyone.

But ASA are adamant that no road running event can be organised without them and their provincial structures.

“The Comrades Marathon Association must learn to respect the provincial and national bodies,” Matahane explained.

“If Comrades Marathon wants to do it on their own, then let them not use licensed runners, let them not use technical officials and let them not close the route. But if the Comrades Marathon is one of the recognised events, then the people must respect the regulations and the laws of athletics.”

Those are considerations the CMA will no doubt take as they move on their members’ mandate while at the same time preparing for the milestone 100th running of the race that is the ultimate road race in the country.

Efforts to get comments from CMA proved futile at the time of going to press.

  • The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) voted against re-affiliating with KwaZulu Natal Athletics (KZNA), opting for autonomy ahead of the race's 100th running.
  • Two options were presented: continue accommodating provincial/national bodies or adopt a firm CMA-first approach prioritizing race governance and autonomy; the latter was chosen.
  • Athletics South Africa (ASA) opposes CMA’s independence, insisting the race must be organized under its and provincial bodies’ rules.
  • The dispute stems from CMA refusing to pay levies demanded by KZNA, with ASA warning that an independent race cannot use licensed runners, officials, or road closures.
  • Despite tensions, ASA assures the 100th Comrades Marathon will proceed but emphasizes compliance with athletic regulations.
🎧 Listen to this article

A right royale battle looms large between athletics authorities and organisers of the Comrades Marathon ahead of next year’s 100th running of the world famous race after the members of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) voted for autonomy.

In a poll conducted by the CMA, Sunday World learnt that 694 members voted against the CMA re-affiliating to KwaZulu Natal Athletics (KZNA) while just 338 voted in favour.

In getting to the “Strategic Approach to Provincial and National Athletics Structures” the CMA gave their members two options to choose from.

“That the CMA continues to accommodate, where possible, the demands, requirements, and expectations of provincial and national athletics structures in the interests of reducing resistance and preserving an easier administrative path, recognising that this may perpetuate the present culture of external insertion into CMA and Comrades Marathon matters.”

“That the CMA adopt a firm CMA-first and Comrades Marathon-first approach, under which the Association will not compromise on ethics, legality, CMA governance, financial responsibility towards the CMA, or the interests of the race, and will, if necessary, withstand the disputes or resistance that may follow.”

Based on the vote, the CMA will privately host the world popular +/- 90km race between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, a position that will be seen as undermining the country’s athletics authorities.

CMA had broken away from the provincial KZNA with the intent to affiliate directly to the national governing body Athletics South Africa (ASA). But earlier this week ASA’s acting president John Mathane categorically stated that there was no way the CMA could operate independently.

“Comrades Marathon can’t go alone. Comrades Marathon must belong somewhere,” Mathane told Sunday World in Bloemfontein during the launch of the Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10K.

Mathane sought to reassure runners that there was no danger of the famous race disappearing from the calendar by saying “The 100th edition is going to take place, but it’s going to take place under the rules.”

That last proviso could, however, throw a spanner in the works, with the CMA members’ voting to go alone. The CMA board and its members clearly believe the race – a cash cow not only for the organisers but for ASA and KZNA as well given the broadcasting rights – could be run privately.

The beef between CMA and KZNA stemmed from the provincial body insisting that CMA pay levies from this year’s race. CMA are of the view they should not be paying anyone.

But ASA are adamant that no road running event can be organised without them and their provincial structures.

“The Comrades Marathon Association must learn to respect the provincial and national bodies,” Matahane explained.

“If Comrades Marathon wants to do it on their own, then let them not use licensed runners, let them not use technical officials and let them not close the route. But if the Comrades Marathon is one of the recognised events, then the people must respect the regulations and the laws of athletics.”

Those are considerations the CMA will no doubt take as they move on their members’ mandate while at the same time preparing for the milestone 100th running of the race that is the ultimate road race in the country.

Efforts to get comments from CMA proved futile at the time of going to press.