The fastest Comrades Marathon time ever recorded is 5 hours, 13 minutes, and 58 seconds, achieved by Tete Dijana in the 2023 "Down" run. This stands as the absolute fastest performance in the history of the iconic ultramarathon.
The Comrades Marathon is unique in that its course changes direction each year, alternating between an "Up" run (from Durban to Pietermaritzburg) and a "Down" run (from Pietermaritzburg to Durban). Due to the significant elevation changes and differing challenges of each direction, official course records are maintained separately for the "Up" and "Down" runs, and also for men and women.
Comrades Marathon Course Records
To provide a comprehensive overview, here are the current fastest times for both the "Up" and "Down" courses, for both male and female athletes:
| Course Direction | Category | Athlete | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Down Run | Men | Tete Dijana | 5:13:58 | 2023 |
| Down Run | Women | Gerda Steyn | 5:44:54 | 2023 |
| Up Run | Men | Leonid Shvetsov | 5:24:39 | 2008 |
| Up Run | Women | Gerda Steyn | 5:49:46 | 2024 |
As highlighted in the table, Tete Dijana's achievement in 2023 set a new benchmark for speed on the challenging "Down" route, making it the overall fastest time in the event's rich history. Gerda Steyn holds both the women's "Down" and "Up" course records, demonstrating her dominance in the female category.
