Contemplative
21.1 km
6:30 /km
One section of the course.
Photo · Comrades Marathon Race Library
Durban ↔ Pietermaritzburg, South Africa·Africa·JuneIconic
Comrades Marathon
Ultra, hilly, historic.
Snapped to real footpaths · Garmin · Strava · AllTrails · Komoot · Coros · Wahoo · Apple Watch · outdooractive
- Official distance
- ~89 km
- Elevation gain
- +1800m
- Mindful tempo
- 6:15 /km — reverent
- Character
- Ultra, hilly, historic
Since 1921 — 'the Ultimate Human Race'. Direction alternates each year between Down and Up runs.
Because the streets themselves have carried footsteps for centuries — you are joining a very long relay, not starting a new one.
A day-long practice. Every 10 km, one full mindful breath.
Course
Open in OpenStreetMap Map & elevation profile
Course line · live Xymove map
Xymove · rendering the line
Xymove Map
80 km loop
Live · pinch, drag, zoom-29.601, 30.379
Elevation profile
+1800 m gainPeak 1800 m · 80 km
Elevation profile: total gain 1800 metres, peak 1800 m above start, low 0 m.A physical profile — respect the ascents; let the descents restore the breath.
Durban ↔ Pietermaritzburg-29.601, 30.379
Race Day
Practical & atmospheric notes
Warm to hot. Early start, shade-line and salt matter — carry more water than you think you need.
A warm regional start — clubs in matching kit, coffee vans, a local mayor with a microphone. Human-scale and unhurried.
Loyal, knowledgeable crowd at trail-heads and villages. Deep silence between — the wind and your breath as company.
A quieter stretch usually opens up between km 36 and km 42 — an interior mile to return to yourself before the final push.
Sealed city tarmac — closed to traffic on race day
Elevation and mixed surfaces make this a physical line. Handcycles only with a support team; sturdy adaptive strollers on the flatter opening kilometres.
WheelchairStroller
Recovery
Two full days off feet. Warm baths. Slow food.
Along the line
Course imagery
Soul-Tuned Variations
One race, three ways to run it.
Recovery echo
6 km
7:00 /km
Beachfront shuffle.
Stronger
89 km
5:30 /km
Full race with even effort.
One shared standard · Four tempos
The PureSoul family moves with the same heart. Choose the tempo the day is asking for.
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Soft, restorative · step-free, wheelchair friendly
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Long, open lines · quiet lanes, long horizons
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Shared maps · shared GPX engine · shared Soul Signature language. Whichever door you enter, the craft standard is the same.