Comrades Marathon Issues Notice About Ambush Marketing and Drone No-Fly Zones
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) would like to bring two important notices to the attention of Comrades Marathon runners, volunteers, spectators, media, sponsors, service providers and the community at large. These are to do with regulations around unauthorised marketing and the use of radio-controlled drones.
AMBUSH MARKETING PROHIBITED
For the entire duration of the Comrades Marathon event, from Thursday, 11 June to Sunday, 14 June 2026, no entity or person is permitted to advertise and/or erect any form of corporate branding at the Comrades Marathon Expo, Start Precinct, along the race route and at the Finish venue, without the express written permission of the CMA. Any attempt to market, advertise, or give unauthorised public and broadcast exposure to a specific entity, brand, or product in contravention of this prohibition, will amount to ambush marketing.
Furthermore, clubs affiliated with Athletics South Africa are permitted to set up a maximum of three (3) support stations for their athletes along the course. Unless the prior written consent of the CMA has been obtained, a club tent may be no bigger than 3m x 3m in size. Any person or club that fails to comply with these guidelines will be asked to remove their branding from the route.
In circumstances where any person or entity is found to be engaging in any form of ambush marketing, whether aerial, on the ground, alongside, or adjacent to the race route, the CMA shall be entitled to initiate legal action against that person or entity.
NO FLY ZONE FOR DRONES OR UAVs
In terms of the regulations of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Part 101, no drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) may be flown or operated at (or near) the Comrades Marathon event without prior written approval from the SACAA, event organisers, and Disaster Management Authorities. This prohibition includes all private, recreational, and commercial drone operations.
The following No Fly Zones will be enforced for the duration of the event, from Thursday 11 June to Sunday 14 June:
Comrades Marathon Expo, Durban Exhibition Centre
Comrades Marathon House (Pietermaritzburg Expo and race day activation)
Durban City Hall (Race Start venue)
The official Comrades Marathon Race Route
HollywoodBets Scottsville Race Course, Pietermaritzburg (Race Finish venue)
Unauthorised drone operations may result in:
Removal from the venue
Confiscation of the drone
Reporting to the relevant authorities for enforcement action
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