Athletics South Africa At Loggerheads With Comrades Marathon

Athletics South Africa (ASA) has formally withdrawn sanctioning for the landmark 100th edition of the Comrades Marathon, escalating a bitter governance dispute with event organizers that threatens to plunge the world’s oldest ultramarathon into regulatory limbo.

The national governing body issued a statement distancing itself from the historic race and throwing its full weight behind provincial affiliate the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA). ASA cited a total failure by the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) to comply with constitutional, regulatory, and sanctioning frameworks established by KZNA, ASA, and World Athletics.

The decision follows months of failed attempts to resolve a deepening rift over operational independence, financial levies, and institutional control.

"Despite extensive engagements undertaken in good faith... the organisers have not satisfied the requirements necessary for sanctioning," ASA said in its statement."Athletics South Africa confirms that the 100th Comrades Marathon has not been authorised or sanctioned through KwaZulu-Natal Athletics and formally distances itself from the organisation, administration and conduct of the event."

Background: The Independence Vote

The standoff was cemented when CMA members voted overwhelmingly at a Special General Meeting in Pietermaritzburg last month to reject re-affiliation with KZNA. In that vote, an overwhelming majority of participating members supported a resolute "Comrades-first" strategy aimed at protecting the race's operational autonomy, commercial assets, and governance.

The feud initially escalated in November 2025, when the CMA withdrew its status as a special member of KZNA and attempted to affiliate directly with ASA.

That effort stalled after ASA rejected direct affiliation, ruling it constitutionally impermissible and directing the CMA to resolve its issues through the provincial body. Tensions further heightened over unpaid race levies—reported to exceed R4 million—and disputes surrounding the approval of race dates for the 2027 centenary edition.

CMA leadership maintained that the move was necessary to insulate the race from provincial administrative interference and financial demands. However, ASA countered that regulatory frameworks apply universally across South African sport and cannot be selectively bypassed.

High Stakes for the Centenary Race

The withdrawal of official sanctioning casts significant uncertainty over the iconic 89-kilometer event scheduled for June 13, 2027. The Comrades Marathon generates hundreds of millions of rand for the local KwaZulu-Natal economy and draws over 20,000 domestic and international competitors each year.

Without federation sanctioning, the race risks operating outside global athletics frameworks. This status creates potential complications around official athlete licensing, technical officiating, world ranking points, qualifying metrics, and insurance coverage and may make some sponsors question their involvement with the race.

However, none of the race sponsors have communicated their position on this matter, which is likely to turn the race into an ultra fun run.

While the CMA insists the centenary event remains on track and fully operational, ASA reiterated that sanctioning can only be restored if race organizers agree to comply with governing structures under the national constitution.

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