Why Your Feed Is Full of Marathons, And Why South Africa Is Leading The Pack
If it feels like everyone you know went from ‘I don't run’ to posting a medal, you're not imagining it. We're in a global running boom, and South Africa is right in the middle of it.
The global FOMO is real
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon received over 240,000 applications from more than 160 countries, with only about 1% getting in through the lottery, a near 20% jump on the previous year. London was even bigger, with 1,133,813 people entering the 2026 ballot, a 36% increase on the previous record of 840,318. That ballot included 869,803 applications from the UK and around 264,000 from overseas. People aren't just entering, they're finishing. New York had 59,226 finishers in 2025, officially making it the largest marathon in history. And who are these runners? At the Atlanta Marathon, 45% of the field were first time marathoners. It is no longer only elite athletes, it is your neighbour, your colleague, your physio client who hated running at school.
Comrades is selling out faster than ever
Entries for the 2026 Comrades Marathon were snapped up in under 10 hours. The advertised cap was 22,000 but the final total was 22,399 because so many runners were mid submission when it closed. Of those entrants, 25.8% are novices, that is 5,774 people lining up for their first Comrades. Women now make up 23.2% of the field, and Gauteng is still the biggest province by far with 44.9% of all South African entries.
Two Oceans and the rest of the calendar are booming too
South Africa hosted a record 138 marathon related events in 2025, including 112 standard marathons, 25 ultras and 16 brand new races. Gauteng has just overtaken KwaZulu Natal as the province with the most marathons. Two Oceans, the World's Most Beautiful Marathon, remains the priciest entry on the calendar, alongside Loskop and Cape Town. And Cape Town just made history: after the successful 2026 race, it was officially confirmed as Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major, joining New York, London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo and Sydney. In 2024 it already drew a record 20,000 marathon entries.
Why non runners are actually doing it
From what we see in the clinic, it comes down to three things. First, the journey is visible. People don't just post the finish line anymore, they post week 1 of walk 1 minute, run 1 minute and feeling broken. Second, community over competition. Run clubs have exploded in Pretoria and Johannesburg, they are social, free and get you outside. Third, the method works. The real pipeline is 12 to 18 months: walk, then run walk, then a consistent 5km, 10km and half marathon. By the time you start a formal 16 week marathon plan, your bones, tendons and habits are already adapted.
A physio's note for first timers
Don't start with Comrades or the Two Oceans Ultra. Start with habit. Run 3 to 4 days a week at first, keep 80% of your running easy enough to hold a conversation, strength train your glutes and calves at least once a week, and remember that you need a standard marathon under 5 hours to qualify for Comrades. Every person at that Comrades start line had to run their first kilometre at some point. If you want us to check your running form or build a return to run plan, pop into N S Physiotherapy in Centurion and we'll map out your first 12 weeks together.
References
NYRR, record 240,000+ applications from 160+ countries for the 2026 NYC Marathon (Running USA / NYRR press release). NYC Marathon 2026 acceptance rate around 1% (Canadian Running Magazine). London Marathon 2026, 1,133,813 applications, breaking the previous record of 840,318 (Reuters, ESPN, Athletics Weekly). London breakdown, 869,803 UK and 264,000 overseas, a 36% increase (Marathon Handbook). NYC 2025, 59,226 finishers, the largest marathon ever (Running USA). Comrades 2026 sold out in under 10 hours, cap 22,000, final 22,399 (Runners World SA, Comrades.com). Comrades 2026 stats, novices 5,774 (25.8%), female 23.2%, Gauteng 44.9% (Comrades.com official entrant statistics). South Africa 2025, 138 events, Gauteng overtakes KZN, Two Oceans priciest (The Running Mann). Cape Town Marathon confirmed as the first African Abbott World Marathon Major (SAnews.gov.za). Cape Town Marathon 2024 record 20,000 entries (SAnews.gov.za).
If you're in Centurion or Midrand and want personal guidance, our physiotherapist offers same day appointments in clinic in Eco Park, Centurion, or at your home.
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Frequently asked questions
I have never run before. Where do I start?+
Start with a walk run programme 3 to 4 days a week, keeping most of your running easy enough to hold a conversation. Build to a consistent 5km before you think about longer distances. A physio screening can flag any risk factors before you begin.
How long does it take to train for a marathon safely?+
For most first timers, plan on 12 to 18 months from your first jog to the marathon start line. That gives your bones, tendons and cardiovascular system time to adapt, well before a formal 16 week marathon block.
Do I need to qualify to run Comrades?+
Yes. You need to complete a standard marathon (42.2km) under 5 hours during the qualifying window to enter Comrades.
How can a physio help me avoid running injuries?+
We assess your running mechanics, strength, mobility and training load, then build a plan that gradually loads the tissues most likely to complain, usually the calves, Achilles, knees and hips.
Book with N S Physiotherapy
In clinic in Eco Park, Centurion, or home visits across Centurion and Midrand.