Comrades Marathon 2027: spectator and support crew guide

11 to 13 June 2027 · ExpectedDurban, South AfricaThe world's oldest and largest ultramarathon

On race day at Comrades Marathon, support crews see their athlete for seconds at a time and wait for hours in between. This guide covers the best spots, the gaps and the days around the race in Durban.

Tours in Durban Hotels for these dates

Airport to Durban and Pietermaritzburg

King Shaka International (DUR) is 35 minutes north of the city.

About 90 km between Durban and Pietermaritzburg; the direction alternates each year.

Public transport directions to Durban and Pietermaritzburg

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	North Beach	Beachfront apartments.
Mid-range	Umhlanga	Safer resort suburb with restaurants.
Splurge	Umhlanga Rocks	Oyster Box hotel.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Garden Court South Beach
Mid-range: Protea Hotel Umhlanga
Splurge: The Oyster Box

Links search the nights from 10 June to 14 June. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual race week schedule for 11 to 13 June 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Race week arrival

Wednesday 9 June

Athletes check in and rack bikes. Support crews have the afternoon free.

Half-dayValley of a Thousand Hills Half day · Family
Zulu culture.
EatVictoria Street Market Spices

Day before

Thursday 10 June

Athletes rest. Keep outings short and close to the base.

Easy outingDurban curry tour Half day · Food
Bunny chow.

Race day

Friday 11 June

Long gaps between seeing your athlete at the swim exit, on the bike and on the run. Fill the middle hours nearby.

Cheer pointInchanga and Drummond (the halfway point).
Cheer pointThe finish stadium, open until the 12-hour cut-off.
FreeGolden Mile promenade.
EatBunny chow at Hollywood Bets Curry in bread

The day after

Monday 14 June

Awards and a slow day. Seated tours suit tired legs.

Easy outinguShaka Marine World Half day · Family · Indoor
Aquarium and water park.
EatVictoria Street Market Spices

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Valley of a Thousand Hills

Zulu culture.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

uShaka Marine World

Aquarium and water park.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game drive

Big Five safari, 3 hours north.

See times and prices

uShaka Marine World.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game drive

Big Five safari, 3 hours north.

See times and prices

After dark

Florida Road.

4 tours worth booking for Comrades Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Valley of a Thousand Hills	Half day	Families
Durban curry tour	Half day	Food lovers
uShaka Marine World	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game drive	Full day	Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Bunny chow at Hollywood Bets Curry in bread
Victoria Street Market Spices

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Family · Indoor

uShaka Marine World

Aquarium and water park.

See times and prices

Moses Mabhida Stadium SkyCar.

Getting around on event days

Uber is the easy option; long distances to Pietermaritzburg.

Day trips from Durban

Pietermaritzburg: 1 hour
Hluhluwe: 3 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Comrades Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Comrades Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 11 to 13 June 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Durban and Pietermaritzburg?

King Shaka International (DUR) is 35 minutes north of the city. About 90 km between Durban and Pietermaritzburg; the direction alternates each year.

Where should I stay for Comrades Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is Umhlanga: Safer resort suburb with restaurants.

What else can we do around Comrades Marathon?

Good short outings in Durban include Valley of a Thousand Hills, Durban curry tour, uShaka Marine World. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Comrades Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game drive, Valley of a Thousand Hills, uShaka Marine World. uShaka Marine World.

How far is Durban and Pietermaritzburg from Durban centre?

About 68 km in a straight line. About 90 km between Durban and Pietermaritzburg; the direction alternates each year.

More Ironman, ultra and endurance

24 Jun 2027*IRONMAN France Nice
Nice, FranceEndurance 24 Jun 2027*IRONMAN European Championship Frankfurt
Frankfurt, GermanyEndurance 1 Jul 2027*Challenge Roth
Nuremberg, GermanyEndurance 23 Aug 2027*UTMB Mont-Blanc
Chamonix, FranceEndurance 5 Oct 2027*IRONMAN World Championship (Kona)
Kailua-Kona, United StatesEndurance 25 Mar 2027*Two Oceans Marathon
Cape Town, South AfricaEndurance

Everything we cover in Durban