Records, riches and rivalries: Comrades Marathon set for blockbuster 50th Up Run

The 99th Comrades Marathon, taking place on June 14, 2026, offers over R8.2 million in prize money, including R925,000 for the men's and women's winners. Defending champion Tete Dijana (Down Run) will face 2024 Up Run champion Piet Wiersma, who aims to break Leonid Shvetsov's 2008 record of 5:24:49. 19 of the top 20 finishers from 2025 are present, with former women's champion Alexandra Morozova the only notable absentee.