Four Major Brands Renew Comrades Marathon Sponsorship Deals as Centenary Countdown Begins

Image: Courtesy Comrades Marathon Association

With just under a year to go until the Comrades Marathon celebrates its 100th edition on 13 June 2027, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is pleased to announce that four of the race's cornerstone sponsors have confirmed their commitment to the event well beyond that historic moment.

Toyota, DP World, Formscaff and Castle Lite have all renewed their partnerships with the event for another three years, which will include the centenary celebration in 2027. This is a collective vote of confidence that underlines the enduring commercial power of the world's oldest, largest and most famous ultramarathon.

“Our sponsors not only make the Comrades Marathon possible, through funding the event or supplying the essential products and services that the race relies on, but they also bring an incredible team of staff and volunteers to support each year’s race,” says CMA General Manager Alain Dalais.

“We have consistently found that our Comrades Marathon sponsors don’t just see the race as a marketing opportunity that their brands can benefit from being associated with, they see the race as an opportunity to give back to the sport, to the runners, to the local communities and more, by investing in the event, through cooperation with fellow sponsors, and through making their brands a core part of the race itself,” adds Dalais.

“On behalf of the CMA, I would like to thank ALL our sponsors for standing alongside the CMA as we build towards the 100th edition of this iconic event, and for joining us in our mission to present our runners with an unforgettable experience each year that lives on in their memories, long after the race is run.”

The Renewed Partners

• Toyota: As the provider of vehicles to the Comrades Marathon Association, Toyota’s support is woven into the operational fabric of the event. For the thousands of runners who line up on race day, Toyota’s presence is felt at every level of the organisation. In addition, Toyota continue to sponsor a brand-new vehicle for the Amabeadibeadi Charity Fundraiser every year.

  
  

• DP World: A global leader in logistics, DP World provides the trucks and the iconic press vehicles that have become part of the visual identity of the race’s sharp end. For viewers watching the leaders push through the final kilometres, DP World is there.

  
  

• Formscaff: From the start line arch to the finish line gantry, Formscaff’s scaffolding and infrastructure solutions provide the physical stage on which the Comrades drama unfolds. Their work is seen by millions – on the road, on television, and across digital platforms worldwide.

  
  

• Castle Lite: As the exclusive beer and cider pouring partner, Castle Lite delivers one of the most anticipated moments of any Comrades Marathon day – the post-race celebration. The brand’s Draught in a Can innovation means runners and supporters alike can enjoy the smooth finish of a refreshing draught beer just after crossing the line.

  
  

These renewals were brokered by Flash Sponsorship, the exclusive commercial agents of the CMA, and Richard van der Schyff, Managing Director of Flash Sponsorship, says, “The quality of brands that have chosen to extend their association with the Comrades Marathon speaks for itself. This is not simply a sporting event, it is an event of national importance that connects deeply with South Africans across every walk of life. These renewals signal that our sponsors see the same extraordinary value in the journey ahead that we do.”