Gayton McKenzie Breaks Silence on 100th Comrades Marathon Dispute With Strong Message
- The 100th Comrades Marathon has been caught up in an athletics dispute, leaving questions over the historic 2027 race
- Gayton McKenzie has now stepped in with a strong message as thousands of runners prepare for the centenary event
- Government has outlined plans to support the landmark race while the dispute between athletics bodies continues
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Source: UGC
The 100th Comrades Marathon has been caught up in an athletics dispute, leaving questions over the historic 2027 race. But Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has now stepped in with a strong message for runners: the race will go ahead on 13 June 2027.
McKenzie said government would ensure that the necessary backing was in place for the centenary edition to proceed smoothly. With entries already open, runners have begun planning and training for what is expected to be a landmark Comrades Marathon in 2027.
“The 100th running of the Comrades Marathon must go ahead, and it will go ahead. Enter the race. Book your accommodation.” he said in a statement published by SAnews on Sunday, 30 August 2026.
McKenzie urged runners to continue planning for the historic race, including arranging accommodation and encouraging their families to line the route and support them. He said the Comrades Marathon had already overcome major challenges in its history and would not be derailed by the current dispute between athletics bodies.
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Comrades Marathon athletics dispute
The dispute involves the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA), Athletics South Africa (ASA) and KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA). It centres on the CMA’s affiliation with the provincial athletics structure.
At a Special General Meeting on 1 August 2026, 694 CMA members voted against re-affiliation with KZNA, while 338 supported the move. McKenzie said runners should not become caught up in the disagreement.
“I will not have ordinary runners used as hostages in a fight they did not start,” he said.
He also called for assurances that athletes, clubs and technical officials would not face sanctions for participating in the centenary race.
Source: Twitter
Government support for 2027 Comrades
The 2027 race will be a landmark occasion, celebrating the 100th running of the Comrades Marathon and the 50th edition of the iconic down route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. McKenzie said authorities would coordinate preparations covering road management, law enforcement, emergency response and event safety.
Beyond the centenary race, the Minister said government would remain engaged with World Athletics on governance issues affecting South African athletics. He said the focus would be on improving the sport’s administration while ensuring major events have the support needed to take place.
George Kusche’s record-breaking Comrades victory
Briefly News previously reported that George Kusche produced a record-breaking performance to win the 2026 Comrades Marathon men’s race on Sunday, 14 June 2026.
The South African crossed the finish line in 5:15:56, and his winning performance earned him about R2.3 million after bonuses were added to the main prize.
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Source: Briefly News
