The Comrades Marathon is always an iconic event, but this year, there’s a significant change in how the race will be managed.

For the 98th edition of the marathon, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has unveiled new cut-off times, offering more generous limits for runners.

These changes aim to ensure that no qualified runner, capable of completing the race in 12 hours or less, will be unfairly impacted by the cut-offs.

New Approach to Cut-Offs

For the 2025 race, which will take place on Sunday, June 8, there will still be two starts in the morning—one at 05:45 and the other at 06:00.

However, the cut-off times will only be applied after the second start.

The change in how the cut-offs are structured means that runners who start in the second wave will be able to save up to five minutes due to the staggered start.

CMA General Manager Alain Dalais emphasized that the purpose of the new cut-offs is not to penalize runners but to ensure the safety of participants while allowing for the smooth dismantling of race operations and reopening of roads.

While generous time limits have been set at each cut-off point, runners who fail to meet these times will be required to stop.

Safety is the top priority, and the CMA is committed to ensuring that only those who are realistically able to finish the race are allowed to continue.

Generous Time Limits for Early Cut-Offs

The 2025 cut-offs are notably more lenient than in previous years, especially in the early stages of the race.

For example, the first cut-off at Cato Ridge (30.5 km) allows runners to maintain a pace of 10:12 per kilometer, which is well below the average pace required to finish in 12 hours.

This gives runners the chance to conserve energy during the first half of the race and use a negative splits strategy to speed up in the second half.

Here’s a look at the cut-off times for some of the key points along the route:

Cato Ridge underpass (30.5 km): 5:10:00 (11:10 AM) — 10:12/km pace, 60 km remaining.
Halfway @ Drummond (45 km): 6:40:00 (12:40 PM) — 8:55/km pace, 45 km remaining.
Winston Park (58.3 km): 8:30:00 (2:30 PM) — 8:42/km pace, 32 km remaining.
Pinetown underpass (69.1 km): 10:05:00 (4:05 PM) — 8:48/km pace, 21 km remaining.
45th Cutting crest (81.5 km): 11:30:00 (5:30 PM) — 8:30/km pace, 9 km remaining.
Final Cut-off (90 km): 12:00:00 (6:00 PM) — 8:00/km pace, race ends.

These times are designed with the goal of giving runners plenty of room to pace themselves and maintain a steady rhythm throughout the race.

As CMA Board Member Alan Gray points out, runners should focus on managing their overall pace, especially in the first half of the marathon.

Pace Yourself to Finish

Alan Gray also shared a few tips for runners: The key to success in the 2025 Comrades is pacing, not racing against the clock at every cut-off point.

Runners should aim to keep a steady pace rather than attempting to outrun each intermediate cut-off.

He stressed that, for instance, reaching the 45th Cutting point in time might seem like a challenge with only 30 minutes to cover 9 km, but as long as runners are moving at an 8-minute per kilometer pace on average, they will still be within the limits.

Understanding the History of Cut-Offs

The introduction of cut-offs at the Comrades Marathon dates back to 1968, when the first half-point cut-off was added.

Since then, the rules have evolved, but the goal has always remained the same: to ensure fairness, safety, and the smooth flow of the event.

In the early years, runners were allowed a more relaxed pace, but with the increased number of participants and the need to reopen roads for traffic, cut-offs became a necessary feature of the race.

What’s New in 2025?

For 2025, the Comrades Marathon is returning to its roots with more generous pacing options, particularly in the first half.

Runners will be given ample time to make their way to key checkpoints while still having the opportunity to finish within the 12-hour time limit.

This approach reflects the CMA’s commitment to giving every runner the best possible chance to complete the race, no matter their pace.

Will You Make the Cut?

The new cut-offs are designed to help runners succeed, but it’s still crucial to monitor your pace and stay aware of the time.

As Gray advised, it’s not about rushing through each cut-off but managing your pace so you can finish strong.

The organizers are determined that no one who is still capable of completing the race will be stopped, as long as they meet the cut-off times.

For anyone looking to prepare further, the CMA encourages watching the upcoming Comrades Webinar on May 28 for more insights on how to tackle the race effectively.