2026 COMRADES MARATHON

Comrades Marathon Package 2026

5 Nights/11 - 16 June 2026

Thursday 11 June 2026

Durban is the place to stay leading up to the Comrades Marathon 2026! Home of the Expo and where you can experience the pre-race excitement as throngs of runners fill the city each year and bring the gees (vibe). Add to this quality accommodation with exhilarating sea views and an itinerary with activities, guidance and support and you will not regret your decision to book with us, the official Comrades Marathon Tour Operator. Our team will be available every day to offer a wealth of advice and experience to ensure your trip is successful and stress-free. For this package your entire stay will be in Durban.

Arrival & Shake Out Run

On arrival at Durban King Shaka Airport (DUR) you will be met and transferred to your hotel, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban, which is approximately a 45-minute drive. Usually, hotel rooms are ready to check in to after 2:00pm. If you arrive earlier, you can leave your luggage with the hotel and explore your surroundings. Our hotel has a beautiful swimming pool, bar, restaurants and areas to relax and enjoy the sea views.

Later today we invite you to join your Marathon Tours & Travel team in the hotel lobby before leaving for an optional shake-out run. It will acquaint you with the local area and shake-out any travel tiredness. The run will be easy and at a pace comfortable for all fitness levels. A perfect opportunity to ask questions and get to know fellow runners. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax.

Massages or Compression Boots will be available today to pre book (at additional cost).

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

Friday 12 June 2026

Private MTT Comrades Course Tour, Expo, Welcome Reception

Optional: extra cost. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Private MTT Comrades Course Tour

• After breakfast, please join us at 7.30am for our private Comrades Course Tour. The coach tour will include stops at Comrades House Museum in Pietermaritzburg, the Wall of Honour and Arthurs Seat and gives runners valuable race insight and allows you the opportunity to preview the route whilst sitting in the comfort of our luxury coach. The tour will finish at the Comrades Marathon Expo so you can pick up your race kits. Lunch can be purchased at the Expo, after which we invite you to shop and enjoy the vibe before making your way back to your hotel (approx. a 20-minute walk).

If you prefer, you can spend the day in Durban instead and at your leisure.

Massages or Compression Boots will be available today to pre book (at additional cost).

This evening at 5:30pm for 6pm please join us for our Welcome Dinner that will take place at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel or a venue close by. Our expert team will guide you through the weekend’s itinerary, answer any questions you may have and allow you to meet your fellow runners whilst enjoying a delicious buffet dinner. Please note that the dinner venue is not certified Halaal. However, all meats are purchased from a Halaal butcher and pork separation is practiced in the kitchens.

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

Saturday 13 June 2026

Park Run, Durban Half Day City Tour, Pre-race Dinner

This morning we recommend you get up and join the North Beach Park Run. It’s a free organised community run which starts approximately 1 km from our hotel and navigates a scenic, flat 5km loop along the beachfront. The atmosphere is amazing. If you don’t want to run just walk across the road to the beachfront and join in or watch the throngs of runners as they sing, dance, run past.

Optional: Extra cost. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Durban Half Day City Sightseeing

• After breakfast, depart the hotel at 09:00am for a half-day sightseeing tour of Durban and the beachfront area. Our experienced local guide will show you the must see places with stops expected to include the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the FIFA World Cup in 2010, the tranquil Durban Botanic Gardens and the bustling Victoria Street Market, known for its fragrant spices and souvenirs. You can expect to hear of the local history, culture and people and experience panoramic city views. Stop for some photo opportunities as we drive by the harbour, beachfront and the many historical buildings of the city of Durban. The tour is designed to allow for a full experience of Durban, in comfort, without much walking!

Massages or Compression Boots will be available today to pre book (at additional cost).

Tonight, we will gather for the pre-race dinner at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel or a venue close by.

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

Sunday 14 June 2026

Race Day!

The day you have been training for is finally here! Grab & Go Breakfast will be available. Our private transport will shuttle runners to the starting area in Durban. This a 10 minute journey with guidance from our team to ensure you arrive at the start in good time and without travel stress. As with any race of this size the immediate surrounding area will be pedestrianised so we will get as close as we can with our vehicles to ensure you have the minimal amount of walking.

Runners SKA FELA MOYA – DON’T GIVE UP!

Optional: Extra cost. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Runners Support or Supporters Option

• We understand as a runner you may want some personal items along the route and that family and friends that are not running want to also share the excitement. We can offer you both the runner and supporters options. Space is limited.

The Comrades Marathon finishes in Pietermaritzburg. After finishing the race, meet Marathon Tours & Travel team at the designated location (TBD), we will look after you until you leave. Your transfer back to Durban will take approximately 2 hours, take this time to rest and hydrate. Durban is approx. 48 miles (77km) distance from the finish at Scottsville Racecourse. We understand how tired you will feel after a long time on your feet, meals can be purchased at one of the restaurants or take the opportunity to order room service! Relax, you deserve it.

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

(Breakfast is included)

Monday 15 June 2026

Celebrations

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and morning at your leisure.

Optional:  Extra cost. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Bruce Fordyce After Party

• Today you have the option, at additional cost to celebrate at a restaurant on the beachfront from 12:00pm. Bruce Fordyce, 9 times winner and Comrades Legend will host the party which can continue until late afternoon. You can expect music, live entertainment (Bruce has some fabulous stories and is a great host), a spectacular buffet lunch, sunshine, sea views and a chance to share your Comrades experience or is that war stories! The buffet meal includes your choice of a glass of wine, beer or soft drink. Any further drinks can be purchased. It’s always a lot of fun and if you’re lucky you may just have the current or other past Comrades winner(s) pop by. A great after party to finish off our Marathon Tours & Travel Comrades Marathon 2026 trip.

For those who don’t want to book the Bruce Fordyce After Party you can make plans via the MTT trip WhatsApp group to meet up and celebrate together at a venue of your choice.

Massages or Compression Boots will be available today to pre book (at additional cost).

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

(Breakfast is included)

Tuesday 16 June 2026

Departure Day

Today is departure day. Unless you have booked extra nights or an extension trip with us please check out of your room before 11:00am. Vehicles to the safari extensions will leave approx 9:30am.

Your airport transfer (approx. a 45-minute drive) to Durban King Shaka Airport is included. Departure times will be shared on-site and will coincide with your given flight arrangements. Safe travels and we hope you enjoyed your Comrades Experience!

(Breakfast included)

Please Note: Itinerary subject to change.