The countdown to 100 years of the Comrades Marathon is on, and the numbers are already making history!

With 28 070 athletes securing entries for the 2027 race, the centenary edition will host the largest field ever – with 56 283 entries received during the three-part entry process.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) increased the entry cap to 28 000 to accommodate the interest, up from 22 000 in 2026 and 24 000 for the 2025 Down Run.

The 2027 race takes place on Sunday, 13 June, following the Down Run route from Pietermaritzburg City Hall to the Hollywoodbets Kings Park precinct in Durban.

So, who has secured a place on the start line? From the oldest entrants to the countries sending the most runners, here are some figures worth knowing.

Comrades Marathon 2027 at a glance

• 28 070: Athletes who secured entries for the centenary race.
• 56 283: Entry submissions and ballot applications received.
• 129: Countries and territories represented, up from 81 in 2026.
• Almost 30%: Female entrants, the highest proportion in the race’s history.
• 4 271: Green Number Club entrants, up from 2 461 in 2026.

Who’s running the centenary race?

The 2027 field retains a familiar profile, with South African runners making up the majority. However, international interest has grown, while the proportion of female entrants has increased by 7.5 percentage points compared with the previous figures cited by the CMA.

CMA Race Director Sue Forge says growing female participation remains a strategic priority, with the organisation aiming to support more women through their preparation and onto the start line.

The age range is impressive, too. The oldest male entrant is 88, while the oldest female entrant is 78. The youngest entrants – male and female – are both 20. The most common age group is 40 to 49, followed by runners aged 50 to 59.

The five most common languages among entrants:

• English: 14 078
• Afrikaans: 3 781
• isiZulu: 3 174
• isiXhosa: 1 498
• Northern Sesotho: 1 347

In terms of work, managers top the occupational list, followed by accountants and auditors, information technology professionals, and people working in financial services and banking.

Where are the runners coming from?

The centenary race will bring together runners from 129 countries and territories, compared with 81 in 2026 and 84 in 2025. The field includes 23 countries and territories across North America, South America, and the Caribbean.

South Africa remains the leading country by a considerable margin, with Zimbabwe, India, the UK, and Botswana rounding out the top five.

Among South African-based entrants, Gauteng has the largest provincial contingent, accounting for 46% of the field. KwaZulu-Natal follows in second place, with the Western Cape in third.

The provincial breakdown of South African-based entrants:

• Gauteng: 10 572
• KwaZulu-Natal: 4 868
• Western Cape: 2 998
• Eastern Cape: 1 137
• Limpopo: 932

Experience counts: from first-timers to Green Number legends

The CMA’s figures show that novices account for around 14% of the 2027 field, down from just under 24%. Runners with one to nine Comrades medals make up the largest group, accounting for 67.9% of entrants.

Those with no medals – including novices and runners who have previously started but not finished – account for 16.9%, while runners with 10 to 19 medals make up 12.2%.

The number of Green Number Club entrants (10 runs) has also increased, rising from 2 461 in 2026, to 4 271 for 2027.

Missed out on an entry? There’s still a chance

The CMA acknowledges the disappointment for unsuccessful applicants but says another opportunity will come through the official substitution process.

Details will be announced closer to the time. Runners hoping to take part are encouraged to follow the Comrades Marathon’s official channels for updates.

The 2027 Comrades Marathon is shaping up to be a landmark moment for one of South Africa’s most iconic sporting events.