Staff Reporter
KZN police have identified crime hotspots and will deploy uniformed and undercover officers along the Comrades Marathon route after vehicle-related thefts were reported during last year’s race.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) said it had “put the necessary safety and security measures in place” to ensure the province delivers an incident-free ultra-marathon.
More than 21,000 runners are expected to take part in the 2026 up-run, which starts in Durban and finishes in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
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“Various departments and entities that form part of the PROVJOINTS have been participating in plenary meetings for months and have developed a comprehensive operational plan that ensures safety and security for runners, officials, and spectators,” PROVJOINTS said.
Spectators were urged “to be vigilant at all times and be mindful of their surroundings”.
PROVJOINTS said the Comrades Marathon Association, working with eThekwini Metro and uMgungundlovu traffic officials, had communicated road closures, and road users were urged to cooperate with law enforcement officers during the marathon weekend.
It said the entire route had been declared a no-fly zone, with only authorised operational aircraft and drones permitted to fly.
“Any unauthorised drone will be taken down operationally in accordance with the law,” PROVJOINTS said.
They also warned against the display of offensive or political material along the route.
“The displaying of banners depicting unsavoury and/or politically aligned messages on bridges, road signs, and buildings will be dealt with in compliance with municipal by-laws and other statutes.”
