KZNA and Comrades Marathon set for crucial talks to resolve their differences

The meeting comes after the CMA decided to go it alone ahead of the 2027 Comrades Marathon, which will mark the 100th anniversary of the iconic ultra-marathon. 

The race has already opened entries, with a record 28 000 runners expected to take part.

The CMA has distanced itself from Athletics South Africa (ASA) and KZNA, meaning athletes will compete without athletics licences and will not be required to belong to clubs, as the race is not sanctioned by either body.

Buthelezi says KZNA is hoping the meeting will help both sides find common ground.

"I am not at any position at this point in time to say that but we are concerned with the resolution of what was taken but what we are saying as KZN, we are having now a mandate which was given to us by the KZN Athletics Council on the 8th that we must go to Comrades and sit down with them and iron out the differences,” Buthelezi said. 

“That delegation was formed on the 8th by the council and I'm not going to elaborate much on that because we have got the spokesperson for the delegation which is Mandla and we have said as a delegation we will allow him to be the spokesperson of the delegation."

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Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie also told SABC Sport earlier this week that he plans to meet with the CMA, ASA and KZNA to help resolve their differences and ensure next year’s historic race goes ahead as it has in the past.

"I would say that the minister has started something like that we must start and negotiate with ASA and KZN and form part of that delegation that will go to CMA. So, I think in terms of that, the minister is in line with the council decision or resolution that was taken on the 8th that we are going to go and talk to CMA because whatever dispute that is there will have to sit down as people and iron out all the problems before the time lapse,” he explained. 

“I think by the end of September we will have taken some steps with the delegation and I trust the people who are there that we will receive positive results."