Comrades Marathon 2024

Durban is the place to stay leading up to the Comrades Marathon! 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 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 VIP package we also include a night in Pietermaritzburg after the race, this means no long transfers, we get you where you need to be before and after the race.

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 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 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 will also be available this afternoon and evening (at an additional cost).

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

Durban Half Day City Tour, Expo, Stretch Session, Shake-out Run, Welcome Reception

After breakfast, depart the hotel at 9.00am for a half-day sightseeing tour of Durban and the beachfront area. Tentative stops include the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the Football World 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, 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! 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).

Massages will also be available this afternoon (at an additional cost).

This evening at 5.30pm please join us for a Welcome Reception 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 whilst you meet your fellow runners and enjoy a selection of food and drinks.

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

(Breakfast and dinner  included)

Private Comrades Course 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.

After breakfast, please join us at 9.30am 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.

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

Later today, we will host a Marathon Tours & Travel stretch session either on the beach or in the hotel surrounds to ease those travel weary muscles whilst at the same time soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the sea views.

Massages 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)

Race Day!

The day you have been training for is finally here! Grab & Go Breakfast will be available. Tonight you will spend the night in a hotel close to the race finish, so we will take your overnight bag there. Starting from 4am 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 in your starting corral in good time and without travel stress.

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. Our hotel is approx. 5 miles (8km) distance from the finish at Scottsville Racecourse, so it won’t be long before you reach the comfort of your room. Staff will be available upon arrival at the hotel, with your bag to check you in. We understand how tired you will feel after a long time on your feet, meals can be purchased at one of the restaurants next door or take the opportunity to order meals for delivery! Relax, you deserve it.

We understand that family and friends who are not running want to share the excitement. We can suggest a service (at additional cost) that takes people to spectate on the route. Alternatively non-runners can choose to either stay in Durban today and tonight at their leisure or travel with Marathon Tours & Travel team directly (8:00 am) to Pietermaritzburg, meet their runner at the finish and stay overnight.

Overnight at StayEasy Hotel in Pietermaritzburg.

(Breakfast is included)

Lunch & Celebrations

After breakfast, we will travel back to Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban (journey time 1 hour) and to the same bedroom you left yesterday.

Today we will meet to celebrate at a restaurant along the beachfront from 12:00pm until 6:00pm. Bruce Fordyce, 9 times winner and Comrades Legend will host the party. You can expect music, live entertainment (Bruce has some fabulous stories and is a funny host), a spectacular buffet lunch, sunshine, sea views and a chance to share your Comrades experience. Your 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 we’re lucky we may just have some Comrades winners past or current to pop by (not guaranteed).

You can expect food, great sea views, lots of laughs and celebrations with your running peers and companions.

Massages will also be available this evening (at an additional cost).

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

(Breakfast and lunch/party is included)

Durban is the place to stay leading up to the Comrades Marathon! 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 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 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 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 will also be available this afternoon and evening (at an additional cost).

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

Durban Half Day City Tour, Expo, Stretch Session, Shake-out Run, Welcome Reception

After breakfast, depart the hotel at 9.00am for a half-day sightseeing tour of Durban and the beachfront area. Tentative stops include the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the Football World 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, 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! 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).

Massages will also be available this afternoon (at an additional cost).

This evening at 5.30pm please join us for a Welcome Reception 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 whilst you meet your fellow runners and enjoy a selection of food and drinks.

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

(Breakfast and dinners included)

Private Comrades Course 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.

After breakfast, please join us at 9.30am 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.

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

Later today, we will host a Marathon Tours & Travel stretch session either on the beach or in the hotel surrounds to ease those travel weary muscles whilst at the same time soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the sea views.

Massages 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)

Race Day!

The day you have been training for is finally here! Grab & Go Breakfast will be available. Starting from 4am 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 in your starting corral in good time and without travel stress.

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, so if you prefer a shorter transfer post race then please book our COMBO package instead. 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 meals for delivery! Relax, you deserve it.

We understand that family and friends that are not running want to also share the excitement. We can suggest a service (at additional cost) that takes people to spectate on the route.

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

(Breakfast is included)

Lunch & Celebrations

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and morning at your leisure.

Today we will meet to celebrate at a restaurant along the beachfront from 12:00pm until 6:00pm. Bruce Fordyce, 9 times winner and Comrades Legend will host the party. You can expect music, live entertainment (Bruce has some fabulous stories and is a funny host), a spectacular buffet lunch, sunshine, sea views and a chance to share your Comrades experience. Your 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 we’re lucky we may just have some Comrades winners past or current to pop by (not guaranteed).

You can expect food, great sea views, lots of laughs and celebrations with your running peers and companions.

Massages will also be available this evening (at an additional cost).

Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.

(Breakfast and lunch/party is included)