If the winner in either the Men’s or Women’s races in this year’s Comrades Marathon breaks the Up Run Best Times of Leonid Shvetsov (2008 – 5:24:49) or Elena Nurgalieva (2006 – 6:09:24) respectively, he or she will take home a minimum of R1-million in Comrades prize money, comprised of a first prize of R500,000 plus a R500,000 incentive for breaking the Best Time; in addition to prizes for First South African (R200,000) and First KZN Man and Woman (R45,000).
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has confirmed that nearly R4.3-million is in the prize kitty for the 94th edition of the world’s most gruelling ultramarathon, to be hosted in two weeks’ time on Sunday, 9 June 2019.
Prize Money
Position
|
Men & Women
|
1st
|
R500 000.00
|
2nd
|
R250 000.00
|
3rd
|
R180 000.00
|
4th
|
R 90 000.00
|
5th
|
R 70 000.00
|
6th
|
R 40 000.00
|
7th
|
R 35 000.00
|
8th
|
R 30 000.00
|
9th
|
R 25 000.00
|
10th
|
R 20 000.00
|
Age Category Prizes
Category
|
Position
|
Men & Women
|
40 – 49 years
|
Position 1
|
R20 000.00
|
|
Position 2
|
R12 000.00
|
|
Position3
|
R6 000.00
|
50 – 59 years
|
Position 1
|
R12 000.00
|
|
Position 2
|
R6 000.00
|
|
Position3
|
R4 000.00
|
60 + years
|
Position 1
|
R6 000.00
|
|
Position 2
|
R4 000.00
|
|
Position3
|
R3 000.00
|
Team Prizes
TEAMS (Amateur/ Recreational Clubs)
|
Category
|
Position
|
Men & Women
|
Open
|
1st Team
|
R16 000.00
|
|
2nd Team
|
R12 000.00
|
|
3rd Team
|
R8 000.00
|
Over 40 years
|
1st Team
|
R12 000.00
|
|
2nd Team
|
R8 000.00
|
|
3rd Team
|
R4 000.00
|
TEAM PRIZES (Elite/ Professional)
|
1st Team
|
R32,000
|
R32,000
|
South African Athletes
The first South African citizen (Man and Woman) to complete the event will each receive R200,000
KwaZulu-Natal Athlete
The first KwaZulu-Natal athlete (Man and Woman) to complete the race will each receive R45,000 from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport & Recreation.
In addition to prize money, 1-ounce Gold Medals valued at over R770,000 are awarded to the first ten men and the first ten women.
The Comrades Marathon traditionally attracts competitors from across the country and around the world; including the very best ultra-distance athletes. With the addition of two new medals, the Isavel Roche-Kelly and the Robert Mtshali, there is certainly an added incentive for runners to vary their Comrades goals this year.