The Comrades Marathon started in 1921 when 34 determined runners left Pietermaritzburg for Durban to commemorate their comrades who fell during the Great War. This traditional event has occurred every year, with the exception of the World War II years, and has grown from 34 to over 13 000 runners annually. The Comrades Marathon is a cherished national treasure and attracts thousands of runners, spectators and television viewers every year. We invite you to come and participate in this great event and experience one of Africa’s greatest adventures.

KwaZulu-Natal is often referred to as the "Garden Province" of South Africa, a province of extremes. The coastal regions being lush with green sub-tropical vegetation, the Midlands with its rolling grass hills and meandering lanes and finally the giant basalt peaks of the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains. This is also home to the Zulu nation and the greatest ultra distance road race - the Comrades Marathon. The 2003 Comrades Marathon is a "Down run", starting in Pietermaritzburg at 05.30am and finishing in Durban at 17.30

It is mid-winter at this time of the year, but days are usually clear with an average daytime temperature of

Pietermaritzburg 3° - 24° C
Durban 10.5° - 26° C

The Comrades Marathon in 2003 is a "Down Run". Starting in City Hall Pietermaritzburg and finishing in Kingsmead Stadium Durban.

Entry forms will be available in January 2003 from Comrades Marathon Association
Electronic entry forms will be available on the Comrades Marathon web site from February 2003.

Foreign Competitors -US $100.00
Rest of Africa – R140.00

The entry fee is waived for holders of 25 or more Comrades Marathon Medals.

This includes: Special runner’s package; viewing of the route by coach; visit to the Comrades Marathon House and Museum; Foreign competitor's area at the Comrades Experience (Durban) to register and collect your race numbers; Race brochure and map; medal and badge to all finishers; foreign competitor's area at the race finish - with limited seating; tog bag service.

All athletes who complete the race will receive a special commemorative medal and badge.

GOLD MEDALS - first 10 men and first 10 women
SILVER MEDALS - sub 7 hrs 30 min
BILL ROWAN MEDALS - sub 9 hrs 00 min
BRONZE MEDALS - sub 11 hrs 00 min
NEW MEDAL - sub 12 hrs 00 min

Through the generosity of the Comrades Marathon’s major sponsors: Imperial Car Rental, Pick ‘n Pay, PowerAde and MTN, the prize money for the Comrades Marathon will be as follows:

In order to qualify for Age Group Category results the letter indicating your age group must be displayed on the front and back of your running vest. A large red letter on a white background. (KZNA and ASA domestic rules will apply)

Athletes are eligible for prizes in more than one category. (ie: A 50 – 59 year athlete may win a prize in the 40 – 49 year category) SAMA

This race is run under the auspices of KwaZulu-Natal Athletics and Athletics South Africa. The KZNA, ASA and IAAF rules will govern the event.

Club colours and your 2003 Comrades race numbers must be worn throughout the race. Should you not run for a club, a neutral kit with no sponsorship is essential. In terms of the KZNA, ASA and IAAF rules, no personal sponsors logos / markings are allowed on any competitor's vest or on his person.

Distance of race Qualifying time

42.2 km sub 05:00:00
48-50 km sub 06:00:00
52-54 km sub 06:30:00
56 km sub 07:00:00
60 km sub 07:40:00
64 km sub 08:20:00
80 km sub 10:30:00
100km sub 13:30:00

All entrants must complete a qualifying event between 18 June 2002 and 5 May 2003 within the qualifying times as listed above.

All runners will be seeded according to their qualifying times. Entrants qualifying for batches A and B are required to submit proof of qualifying time. Previous Gold Medallists and 2002 Silver Medallists automatically qualify for seeding in Batch A.

What does Updated Seeding mean? You can enter as soon as you have qualified and then have your seeding updated if you improve it between entering and the closing date of entries (5 May 2003). You will be required to submit written proof of your NEW qualifying time to be received by the CMA by no later 12 May 2003 in order for your seeding to be updated.

You must register at the International Runners Area at the Comrades Marathon Experience, at the MTN Comrades Marathon Experience in DURBAN. There you will receive your race numbers, courtesy bag and brochure containing your final instructions.

Friday 13 June 2003 - 09 am - 19h00
Saturday 14 June 2003 - 09 am - 19h00
Sunday 15 June 2003 - 09 am - 19h00

The NO MOBILE SECONDING rule will be strictly enforced. No mobile seconds of any description will be allowed on the route. The STAND AND HAND rule will apply. Any transgression of the seconding rule will lead to disqualification.

Cato Ridge N3 subway - tba
Fredville / Caravan park intersection - tba
Drummond Pick 'n Pay Halfway Point - tba
Hillcrest / Heritage Market - tba
Kloof traffic circle - tba
Cowies / M13 - tba
Mayville Sherwood - tba 

You must retire at 12 hrs 00 min wherever you are.

* To be confirmed in final race instructions.

Imperial Car Rental vehicles will travel continually through the field. Should you wish to retire from the race, they will be available to transport you to the finish where medical facilities are available.

9 dedicated Voltaren Physiotherapy Stations
4 Diabetic stations (where blood sugar can be tested and Insulin will be available)
2 fully staffed medical facilities on the second half of the route.

St. John Ambulance tent for rub downs, strapping, physiotherapy, blisters etc.
Fully staffed medical facility sponsored by AICC.

South African Airways (SAA) are our official carriers for the Comrades Marathon in 2003. Should you require information regarding tour packages, please contact the Comrades Marathon office and we will forward details of our Travel Management Partners to you together with the special rates on offer to Comrades Marathon competitors.

For people staying in Durban there are buses to the start in Pietermaritzburg and from the Finish in Durban returning to Pietermaritzburg after the race. Tickets for these buses will be available at the Comrades Experience (Expo).

For accommodation please contact: