Comrades Marathon Announces Runner Seeding for 2026 Race Start
With just over four weeks to go until the 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday 14 June, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has completed the process of allocating runners to start groups and seeding batches. This process followed the closing date on 4 May for runners to submit their qualifying details and complete their entry profile checklists, with 21,633 athletes successfully qualifying to start the 2026 race.
Qualified runners can now check their official seeding on the Comrades Marathon website by searching for their names on the 2026 entry list at https://comrades.com/race-info/2026-entry-list.
As announced by the CMA on Tuesday 12 May, the 2026 Comrades Marathon will feature a new three-group start system, with an earlier start time. Each group will be divided into smaller seeding batches, with runners allocated based on the qualifying time submitted at the time of entry, with seedings arranged from fastest to slowest qualifying times.
As a guideline, runners with qualifying times faster than 04:03:00 have been allocated to Group 1, runners with qualifying times from 04:03:00 up to 04:32:59 have been allocated to Group 2, and runners with qualifying times from 04:33:00 up to 05:00:00 will start in Group 3.
2026 Start Group Breakdown
Breaking the groups down in more detail, this is how runners will line up on race day:
Group 1: Batches A to G
Purple Race Number Indicator
Start time 05h00
The Elite field will line up at the front of Batch A, followed by progressively seeded qualifiers through to Batch G. Approximately 9952 runners will make up Group 1.
Note: Age Category Contenders will be seeded in their respective qualifying batches according to qualifying times, as per the standard seeding rules.
Group 2: Batches H to M
Orange Race Number Indicator
Start time 05h15
A special Batch H will be positioned at the front of this group for those runners with 10 or more Comrades Marathon medals (Green Numbers) as well as those running as part of the CMA’s Race4Charity initiative who managed to raise more than R6000 before the 4 May cut-off. Batches J to M will follow according to standard qualifying times. Around 6704 runners will start in this group.
Note: Green Number Runners and Race4Charity runners with qualifying times faster than 04:03:00 will be seeded in Group 1 batches according to their qualifying times, as per the standard seeding rules.
Group 3: Batches N to R
Blue Race Number Indicator
Start time 05h30
Runners in Group 3 will be seeded according to qualifying times across batches N to R. Approximately 4972 runners will make up this final start group.
Please note: There are no Batches I or O, as these letters are excluded to avoid confusion with numerical digits.
UNDERSTANDING THE SEEDING
CMA Race Director Sue Forge explains that the division of runners into these three groups is designed to ensure runner safety, operational efficiency and race day comfort of all participants. “The allocation sees approximately 47% of runners in Group 1, 31% in Group 2, and 22% in Group 3. Our principal focus is reducing congestion on the road, improving access to emergency and medical support where required, and creating safer and more comfortable running conditions from the very start of the race, thereby enhancing runners’ overall race-day experience” says Forge.
“Most importantly, every runner will continue to receive the full 12 hours to complete the race, with each group’s official race time commencing when that group is signalled to set off. Starting in an earlier group will therefore not provide additional time to complete the race, as all finishing times will be verified post-finish, with medal eligibility confirmed at the medal tent,” adds Forge.
The 2025 race introduced a two-group start for the first time, significantly reducing congestion and allowing the final seeded runners to cross the start line in under six minutes, substantially faster than under previous single-start formats. The CMA expects that the three-group start system will further enhance race flow, improve comfort, and elevate the overall runner experience.
“Runners should not be alarmed if they receive a lower seeding in their group. This is simply due to improving safety at the start by reducing the number of runners per group, and increasing the number of batches,” says Forge. “Also, runners should keep in mind that the three-group start system will allow even the lowest-seeded runners at the back of Start Group 3 to cross the start line much sooner than in previous years, thereby giving you more time to reach the intermediate cut-off points along the route and to complete the race within the 12-hour final cut-off.”
STRICT SEEDING RULES
Race numbers will display the runner’s batch letter and race number, and their colour-coded start group indicator. These numbers must be worn throughout the race, visibly displayed on a runner’s front and back. Runners may start only in their allocated batch, or any batch further back within their allocated group. Moving forward into a faster group or earlier batch is strictly prohibited.
Runners will only be allowed to move back to a later start Group (e.g. from Group 1 to Group 2, or Group 2 to Group 3). Runners wishing to do this must submit a written request to info@comrades.com, specifying the preferred group and batch. Applications close at 16h30 (SA time) on Friday, 29 May 2026. Successful changes will incur a R200 reprint fee, payable at Race Pack Collection. Note: Only Green Number and Race4Charity runners seeded in Group 1 may request transfer into Batch H of Group 2.
“It is critical that runners line up correctly,” says Forge. “The timing system will identify runners attempting to start in faster groups or batches, and offenders will be disqualified and risk possible rejection of future Comrades Marathon entry applications. All finishing runners will have their race numbers verified before medals are issued, and any identified group or batch jumpers will be referred to the race officials.”
Forge emphasises that runners should take note that trying to start in a higher group by ‘group jumping’ will not give them more than 12 hours to finish the race, as each group still has 12 hours to cover the full distance. “The start groups and seeding batches have been carefully designed to create a safer, smoother and faster start process and race experience for all runners, so we encourage runners to trust the system and focus on enjoying their Comrades Marathon journey.”
IMPORTANT REMINDER TO RUNNERS
Seedings are available on the official entry list via the Comrades Marathon website at https://comrades.com/race-info/2026-entry-list. Runners can use the search function to locate their names and confirm their start group and batch. Any seeding-related queries should be directed to info@comrades.com. The CMA also encourages club secretaries and team managers to assist runners who may not have direct website access.
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