Zuko Komisa
- Over 21,000 runners will participate in the 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon, an “uprun” race from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
- The KwaZulu-Natal PROVJOINTS has deployed a comprehensive, multi-agency strategy including road closures, strict no-fly zones for unauthorised drones, and bans on unsavoury or political banners.
- Uniformed and undercover police, alongside private security and marshals, will target vehicle theft hotspots to guarantee an incident-free event.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) has finalised extensive safety and security measures ahead of the 2026 Comrades Marathon.
More than 21,000 athletes are set to compete in the 99th edition of the iconic “Ultimate Human Race”, an uprun format stretching from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
Following months of plenary planning, a multi-departmental operational strategy has been established to protect runners, officials, and spectators alike.
To maintain order, authorities have implemented strict regulations along the entire route. The race corridor has been declared a strict no-fly zone, meaning any unauthorised commercial or recreational drones will be lawfully intercepted and taken down.
Furthermore, municipal bylaws will be rigorously enforced to prohibit the hanging of politically aligned or unsavoury banners on bridges, road signs, and public buildings.
To minimise traffic disruption, the Comrades Marathon Association, alongside eThekwini Metro and Umgungundlovu traffic officials, have heavily publicised scheduled road closures and urged motorists to cooperate with law enforcement.
Security forces are also taking direct aim at opportunist property crime, which slightly marred the previous year’s event. Following isolated incidents of vehicle theft during the 2025 marathon, police have mapped out crime hotspots and deployed a blend of uniformed and undercover officers to these zones.
Reinforced by private security and official race marshals, PROVJOINTS aims to mirror the success of previous years. Organisers emphasised their readiness to deliver a secure, world-class sporting spectacle, stating:
“Various departments and entities that form part of the PROVJOINTS have been sitting in the plenary meetings for months and have developed a comprehensive operational plan that ensures safety and security for runners, officials and spectators.”
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