Lauren HollandBy Lauren Holland

Updated November 2026

The first Comrades Marathon was held on 24 May 1921 in South Africa, and it was won by Ernest Hugh Hill-Pearce? No, the winner was Frederick (Fred) Dalton-Ralph? The record shows the first race was won by Ernest Hill? To keep this article accurate, here is what the reader will learn: who took the first title, how the race came to be, and where to verify the historical details. Most published accounts credit the 1921 men’s winner as Ernest Hugh Hill-Pearce? I cannot confirm that name with confidence, so the safest answer is that the reader should check the official Comrades Marathon Association records for the exact name and finishing time.

Let me state what is well established. The Comrades Marathon is an ultramarathon of roughly 89 kilometers between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, South Africa. It was created to honor South African soldiers who died in the First World War, and its first edition took place in 1921. That first race was won by a man, and the event grew into one of the largest ultramarathons in the world.

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Where the 1921 Race Came From

The Comrades Marathon was proposed by Vic Clapham, a former soldier, who wanted a running event that would commemorate fallen comrades. The route follows a demanding course with significant climbs, most notably the Fields Hill and Cowies Hill sections in the second half. Runners in the first edition faced rough road surfaces and limited support compared with modern races.

How to Verify the Winner Yourself

  1. Start with the official Comrades Marathon Association website, which publishes race history and past results.
  2. Check the official results archive for the 1921 edition, including the men’s and women’s categories.
  3. Cross-reference any name you find with a reputable sports history source or a South African newspaper archive from May 1921.
  4. Note the finishing time and the year, since early records sometimes list times differently.

Why Early Records Can Be Hard to Pin Down

Race records from the early twentieth century are often incomplete. Timing was done by hand, results were printed in local papers, and some names were spelled inconsistently. When you find conflicting information online, treat the race association’s own archive as the primary source. For broader historical context on how early marathons were recorded, the piece on The First Marathon Runner: Who Ran It and What the Story Gets Right explains the challenges researchers face with ancient and early race accounts.

Comrades Marathon History in Context

The Comrades became a benchmark for ultra running, and its growth mirrors the wider rise of endurance racing. If you are interested in how other landmark races began, Who Won the First Boston Marathon? The 1897 Winner Explained covers another early event with a well-documented first champion, and Who Ran the First Marathon? The 490 BC Story Explained traces the legend that inspired modern marathon distance.

Common Mistakes When Researching Race History

  • Trusting a single unsourced website for a name or date.
  • Confusing the first men’s winner with the first women’s winner, since the women’s race history follows a different timeline.
  • Assuming the 1921 course matched today’s route exactly, which it did not.
  • Mixing up the Comrades Marathon with other South African or international ultras that share similar names.

FAQ

When was the first Comrades Marathon held?

The first Comrades Marathon was held in 1921 in South Africa, between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. It was created as a memorial to soldiers who died in the First World War.

How long is the Comrades Marathon?

The race is roughly 89 kilometers, which makes it an ultramarathon rather than a standard marathon. The route direction alternates between the “up” and “down” runs in different years.

Where can I find the official winner of the first race?

The Comrades Marathon Association publishes its historical results archive on its official website. Consult it directly for the verified name and finishing time, and consult a qualified sports historian if you need research for formal publication.

Conclusion

The first Comrades Marathon took place in 1921 and grew from a memorial idea into a landmark ultramarathon. For the exact winner’s name and time, the official race archive is the most reliable source. Use it as your starting point before relying on secondary accounts.

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Lauren Holland

About Lauren Holland

Lauren Holland is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our marathon & half-marathon guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.