Comrades Marathon Package/5 Nights/5 - 10 June 2025
Thursday 5 June 2025
Durban is the place to stay leading up to the Comrades Marathon 2025! Home of the Expo and where you can experience the pre-race excitement as throngs of runners fill the city each year and bring the gees (vibe). Add to this quality accommodation with exhilarating sea views and an itinerary with activities, guidance and support and you will not regret your decision to book with us, the official Comrades Marathon Tour Operator. Our team will be available every day to offer a wealth of advice and experience to ensure your trip is successful and stress-free. For this package your entire stay will be in Durban.
Arrival & Shake Out Run
On arrival at Durban King Shaka Airport (DUR) you will be met and transferred to your hotel, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban, which is approximately a 45-minute drive. Usually, hotel rooms are ready to check in to after 14:00pm. If you arrive earlier, you can leave your luggage with the hotel and explore your surroundings. Our hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and areas to relax and enjoy the sea views.
Later today we invite you to join your Marathon Tours & Travel team in the hotel lobby before leaving for an optional shake-out run. It will acquaint you with the local area and shake-out any travel tiredness. The run will be easy and at a pace comfortable for all fitness levels. A perfect opportunity to ask questions and get to know fellow runners. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax.
Massages will also be available this afternoon and evening (at an additional cost).
Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.
Friday 6 June 2025
Durban Half Day City Tour, Expo, Stretch Session, Shake-out Run, Welcome Reception
After breakfast, depart the hotel at 09:00am for a half-day sightseeing tour of Durban and the beachfront area. Our experienced local guide will show you the must-see places with stops expected to include the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the FIFA World Cup in 2010, the tranquil Durban Botanic Gardens and the bustling Victoria Street Market, known for its fragrant spices and souvenirs. You can expect to hear of the local history, culture and people and experience panoramic city views. Stop for some photo opportunities as we drive by the harbour, beachfront and the many historical buildings of the city of Durban.
The tour is designed to allow for a full experience of Durban, in comfort, without much walking! The tour will finish at the Comrades Marathon Expo, allowing you to pick up your race bib and drop off your race day bag (optional but recommended). Lunch can be purchased at the Expo, after which we invite you to shop and enjoy the vibe before making your way back to your hotel (approx. a 20-minute walk).
Massages will also be available this afternoon (at an additional cost).
This evening at 17:30pm please join us for our Welcome Dinner that will take place at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel or a venue close by. Our expert team will guide you through the weekend’s itinerary, answer any questions you may have and allow you to meet your fellow runners whilst enjoying a delicious buffet dinner.
Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Saturday 7 June 2025
Private Comrades Course Tour, Pre-race Dinner
This morning is the North Beach Park Run. It’s a free organised community run which starts at 08:00am approximately 1km from our hotel and navigates a scenic, flat 5km loop along the beachfront. The atmosphere is amazing. If you don’t want to run, just walk across the road to the beachfront and join in for part of it or watch the throngs of runners as they sing, dance and run past.
After breakfast, please join us at 09:30am for our private Comrades Course Tour. The coach tour will include stops at Comrades House Museum in Pietermaritzburg, the Wall of Honour and Arthurs Seat and gives runners valuable race insight, allowing you the opportunity to preview the route whilst sitting in the comfort of our luxury coach.
If you prefer, you can spend the day in Durban instead and at your leisure.
Later today, we will host a Marathon Tours & Travel stretch session either on the beach or in the hotel surrounds to ease those travel-weary muscles whilst at the same time soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the sea views.
Massages will be available today to pre-book (at additional cost).
This evening at 17:30pm please join us for our Pre-Race Dinner which will take place at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel or a venue close by. Our expert team will guide you through the next day’s arrangements, answer any last-minute questions you may have and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner.
Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Sunday 8 June 2025
Race Day!
The day you have been training for is finally here! Grab & Go Breakfast will be available. Our private luxury coaches (with on board toilet) will depart with our runners to the starting area in Pietermaritzburg. Coaches will leave before the roads close, leaving at 02:30am from our hotel and, where possible, will wait near the start area, allowing you to stay warm and comfortable until you need to join your corrals.
The Comrades Marathon 2025 finishes in Durban. Our hotel is approx. 1km distance away, one of the closest to the finish at Kingsmead Stadium, so it won’t be long before you reach the comfort of your room. After finishing the race, meet the Marathon Tours & Travel team at the designated location in the International area, where we will look after you until you wish to take the shuttle back to our hotel. We know how tired you will feel after a long time on your feet, meals can be purchased at one of the restaurants or take the opportunity to order room service! Relax, you deserve it.
We understand that family and friends that are not running also want to share the excitement. We can suggest a service (at an additional cost) that takes people to spectate on the route.
Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.
(Breakfast is included)
Monday 9 June 2025
Lunch & Celebrations
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and morning at your leisure.
Today we will meet to celebrate at a restaurant on the beachfront from 12:00pm. Bruce Fordyce, 9 times winner and Comrades Legend will host the party which can continue until late. You can expect music, live entertainment (Bruce has some fabulous stories and is a great host), a spectacular buffet lunch, sunshine, sea views and a chance to share your Comrades experience and take photos with Comrades winner(s). The buffet meal includes your choice of a glass of wine, beer or soft drink. Any further drinks can be purchased. It’s always a lot of fun and if we’re lucky we may just have the current or other past Comrades winner(s) pop by (2023/4 ladies winner, Gerda Steyn joined us the past 2 years and delighted guests with her experiences). A great after party to finish off our Marathon Tours & Travel Comrades Marathon 2025 trip.
Compression boots will also be available this evening (at an additional cost).
Overnight at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.
(Breakfast and lunch/party is included)
Tuesday 10 June 2025
Departure Day
Today is departure day. Unless you have booked extra nights or an extension trip with us, please check out of your room before 11:00am.
Your airport transfer (approx. a 45-minute drive) to Durban King Shaka Airport is included. Departure times will be shared on-site and will coincide with your given flight arrangements. Safe travels and we hope you enjoyed your Comrades Experience!
(Breakfast included)
Please Note: Itinerary subject to change.
