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Comrades Marathon officials have issued a stern warning to athletes and the running community regarding the spread of misinformation about the iconic race, urging participants to verify information through official channels only.
Mqondisi “Mapholoba” Ngcobo, chairperson of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA), expressed concern over fake accounts distributing false information that appears legitimate, creating confusion among athletes.
“Please don’t only depend on social media for genuine or real information about the race. Our lines and office are always open. Only use our official CMA social media account and website,” Ngcobo said, noting that false information had been circulated to various athletes’ media platforms recently.
The warning comes after the CMA discovered a fraudulent press release circulating on social media platforms regarding novice runner entries for the 2026 race. The fake document, which included the official CMA letterhead, claimed that 73% of the 2026 entrants were novice runners and suggested the organization was considering changes to qualification times as a result.
CMA General Manager Alain Dalais quickly debunked these claims, stating that the actual percentage of novices in the field is 25.8%, significantly lower than the 73% claimed in the fraudulent release.
“This entire statement is false, and the CMA is not considering any changes to the qualification times,” Dalais confirmed, pointing out obvious inconsistencies in the fake document. “The second sentence literally contradicts the first sentence, by then saying that only 68% of those novices are running the event for the first time.”
The Comrades Marathon, one of the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathons, attracts thousands of runners each year and maintains strict qualification standards. The race alternates annually between an “up run” from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and a “down run” in the opposite direction, covering approximately 90 kilometers through the hills of KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa.
Dalais appealed to those responsible for creating and spreading misinformation to stop their activities, emphasizing the negative impact such actions have on the running community.
“I would like to call on those responsible for this fake press release, and those spreading other false rumors, to please refrain from doing so as your actions cause great confusion and unhappiness amongst the running community,” he said.
The proliferation of false information about sporting events has become increasingly common in the digital age, with social media providing an easy platform for the rapid spread of misinformation. For events like the Comrades Marathon, which involves months of preparation and training by athletes, accurate information regarding qualification requirements and race logistics is crucial.
Dalais reminded runners to approach information with a critical eye, noting that fake news often contains inconsistencies that can serve as red flags.
“I also call on our runners to carefully read all Comrades Marathon news on social media, because often there are clues that it is not genuine news, such as in this supposed statement,” he advised.
To combat the spread of misinformation, the CMA encourages all athletes, supporters, and media to verify information through the official Comrades Marathon website at www.comrades.com and the association’s official social media channels.
The Comrades Marathon has built its reputation on values of “sportsmanship, fair competition, camaraderie and a spirit of ubuntu,” according to Dalais, who emphasized that fake news undermines these principles by creating “confusion, anger and frustration” within the running community.
This incident highlights the growing need for sports organizations to maintain clear communication channels with participants and actively counter misinformation that could affect athlete preparation or race participation.
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11 Comments
It’s good to see the CMA taking proactive steps to warn athletes about misinformation. Relying on official sources is the best way to stay informed about this iconic event.
Agreed. Spreading false information through social media can be very damaging, so this alert is a smart move to protect the integrity of the Comrades Marathon.
I appreciate the CMA taking a strong stance against misinformation. Protecting the integrity of the race and ensuring a positive experience for all participants is crucial.
The CMA’s proactive approach to addressing this issue is commendable. Maintaining trust and transparency is key for the long-term success of the Comrades Marathon.
The CMA is right to be concerned about the proliferation of fake news and fraudulent accounts. Safeguarding the race’s reputation and participants’ experience should be a top priority.
Absolutely. Staying vigilant and relying on official channels is the best way for athletes to ensure they have accurate, up-to-date information about the Comrades Marathon.
This alert highlights the importance of verifying information, especially for high-profile sporting events. The CMA is right to urge athletes to be wary of unofficial sources.
Agreed. With so much potential for confusion and disruption, it’s essential that athletes have access to reliable, authoritative information about the Comrades Marathon.
This is a valuable reminder that athletes should always fact-check claims, even if they appear to come from legitimate sources. Maintaining transparency and trust is critical for a major race like the Comrades.
This is an important alert from the Comrades Marathon Association. Athletes should be vigilant and only trust information from the race’s official channels to avoid falling for fraudulent accounts or misleading claims.
Absolutely, verifying information directly with the race organizers is crucial. Fake news can cause a lot of confusion and disruption for participants.