Missed the Comrades 2027 ballot? Your only way in hasn't opened yet
Only 28,070 of 56,283 applicants got into the 100th Comrades Marathon on 13 June 2027. If you missed the ballot, a 2027 substitution window is the only official route left, and it hasn't opened.
More than 56,000 people tried to get into the 100th Comrades Marathon, and only 28,070 made it. If you missed out in the ballot, the only official way left is a substitution window in 2027 that the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has not yet opened (Daily Maverick).
The Centenary race is on Sunday, 13 June 2027. It is a down run, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, and it will be the largest Comrades ever staged, according to race director Sue Forge (Daily Maverick).
How many runners got in, and how?
The CMA received 56,283 entry submissions and ballot applications between 25 August and 22 September 2026. About half the field was filled before the general ballot even opened (Daily Maverick).
| Entry route | Applications or entries |
|---|---|
| Green and yellow number holders (9 or 10+ medals) | 4,566 applications |
| Charity entries (R10,000 donation on top of the fee) | 1,018 entries |
| CMA members | 7,897 entries |
| General ballot | 42,802 applications for 14,519 places |
Source: Daily Maverick, citing the CMA.
That means roughly one in three ballot applicants got a place. The CMA says the draw was run under independent audit supervision and followed the approved ballot criteria (Daily Maverick).
I missed out in the ballot. Can I still run?
Possibly, but not yet. Forge said more places may open through the official withdrawal and substitution process in 2027, and that details of that window will be shared later (Daily Maverick). No date has been announced.
Until then, watch the CMA's own channels rather than social media posts offering to sell or transfer race numbers. The CMA's entry schedule lists every official entry route, and entries run through Easyreg.
International and rest of Africa runners have one more route: the CMA says a Marathon Tours & Travel package comes with a guaranteed entry and needs no ballot, but only while packages last, and the usual qualifying and medical requirements still apply (CMA).
How much does a 2027 Comrades entry cost?
| Runner | Entry fee |
|---|---|
| South Africa | R1,200 |
| Rest of Africa | R2,000 |
| International | R4,500 |
Source: CMA 2027 entry schedule. Easyreg adds an admin fee on top.
Ballot applicants paid a non-refundable R10 to apply. Successful applicants had to pay the entry fee within the payment period, and the CMA says unpaid entries lapse and can be given out again in a redraw (CMA).
Can I check whether I'm on the entry list?
Yes. The CMA publishes a 2027 entry list on its website. Successful ballot applicants were notified using the contact details on their Easyreg profiles (CMA).
Who is running the Centenary?
Women make up almost 30% of the 2027 field, the biggest female share in the race's history. The most common age group is 40 to 49, followed by 50 to 59, and 14 entrants are in their eighties, the oldest aged 88 (Daily Maverick).
Already in and want a better start position? Runners who raise at least R6,000 through the official Race4Charity platform qualify for improved seeding. Fundraising stays open until 30 June 2027 (CMA).
FAQ
When is the 2027 Comrades Marathon?
The 100th Comrades Marathon is on Sunday, 13 June 2027. It is a down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
How many runners got into Comrades 2027?
28,070 runners have entries, out of 56,283 entry submissions and ballot applications, according to the Comrades Marathon Association.
Can I still enter Comrades 2027 if I missed the ballot?
Not yet. The CMA says more places may open through an official withdrawal and substitution process in 2027, with details to be announced later.
How much is the Comrades 2027 entry fee?
R1,200 for South Africans, R2,000 for rest of Africa runners and R4,500 for international runners, plus an Easyreg admin fee.