2026 RACE INFORMATION

Entries

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Race Pack Collection

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Substitutions

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Medical

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Venue And Directions

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Rules & Timing

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Category Prizes

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Both your 42.2km and 50km official times can be used as an official Comrades qualifier.

Entries

Online entries only for 50 & 21km:

At Om Die Dam App ONLY through the secure electronic payment system on the registration platform using your credit or debit card. There will be ZERO late entries at registration.

Scan the QR code to download the Om Die Dam App to enter:
enter

Cut-off times WILL BE strictly enforced and if ANY PERSON don’t adhere to these times, they will not be allowed to finish the race and will be banned to EVER run this race again. The Cut-off times are there for all runner’s safety and the entire race can be jeopardized if these cut-off times are not adhered to.


Official Comrades Qualifier

50km Ultra Marathon

Start time: 06:00
CUT-OFF TIMES:

1st Cut-Off/15km:   2 hours (08:00)
Halfway/25km: 3 hours 30 minutes (09:30)
Marathon/42,2km:       6 hours (12:00)
Finish line/50km:          7 hours (13:00)

21km Half Marathon 

Start time: 06:00
at R104 NECSA Gate 3

Finish line cut-off at 10:00 (4 hours)

8km Fun Run

Start time:
06:45

Finish line cut-off at 10:00 (4 hours)

IF YOU CAN’T RUN WITHIN THESE TIMES, PLEASE DON’T ENTER THE RACE.
Any person that are in danger of jeopardising the race can be removed immediately by either the marshals or referees.

Official Race TORJAN ODD 2026 T-Shirt:

  • The following t-shirt sizes will be available (All t-shirts are unisex): X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large and XXX-Large
  • Every endeavour is made to cater for sizes; however, these cannot be guaranteed.

 

50km: All runners must wear the official race number on the front of their vest and a valid ASA license number on the back of their vest as per ASA rules.
21km: All runners must wear the official race number on the front of their vest and a valid ASA OR TEMPORARY license number on the back of their vest as per ASA rules.
8km: All runners must wear the official race number on the front of their vest.

  • Race numbers cannot be exchanged other than through the official substitution process.
  • Neglecting to adhere to these rules will lead to disqualification.
  • No race numbers are to be pinned on running shorts.

Any member of a registered running club wishing to compete as part of their club team for prizes must wear the full registered club colours of the club shown on their entry form.

Race Pack Collection

There will be three collection points and each athlete MUST select a collection point or choose that their race pack be posted using the couriers provided.

Sunday 8th March 2026 – Pretoria from 10h00 to 14h00 at Macro Centurion
Sunday 15th March 2026 – Johannesburg from 10h00 to 14h00 at Macro Woodmead
Friday 20th March 2026 – Hartbeespoort from 12h00 to 20h00 at Hartbeespoort Builders

NOTE:  

Please bring your race entry App QR code to the collection, as well as ID Document when collecting your race pack.

If you are collecting a race pack on behalf of someone else, you should have a copy of his/her ID document available at collection as well as the App QR code.

All Uncollected packs will be sent to the next collection point.

If not collected before or on Friday 20th March, your race entry will be forfeited.

NO COLLECTION ON RACE DAY IS POSSIBLE

Substitutions

  • Substitutions will be open 1st of February 2026 till 15th of February 2026 (two weeks only)
  • The substitution fee will be R50.
  • To do a substitution, the athlete that wants to substitute his race entry, as well as the athlete requiring an entry need to go on the entry platform and select the substitution option. Please follow the instructions and pay the R50.
  • The original entry fee won’t form part of the substitution process, and this transaction will be between the athlete that wants to substitute his race entry and the athlete requiring the entry. No exceptions.
  • There will be NO FURTHER SUBSTITUTION POSSIBLE after 15th of February 2026.
     

  • It is against the rules to run in another person’s number.

  • IF the event does provide a substitution process, then this will be the only method whereby an entry can be transferred.

  • Contravention of this rule will lead to no result, disqualification and possible further sanctions by event, club and province.

  • This may include a 2-year ban from Om Die Dam.

Medical

Don’t take a chance with your health!

  1. Medical advice is that runners should drink approximately 100 ml of fluid (one sachet) every 15 minutes.
  2. It may thus not be necessary for faster runners to drink at every station, as the dangers of over-hydration can be as severe, or more severe as those of dehydration. Gauge your drinking requirements on the time taken between water points.
  3. Runners should modify their fluid intake to suit weather conditions on the day and should not experiment with new drinks on race day.
  1. Minor Aches Pains, Grazes and Muscle injuries.
  2. There are a team of physiotherapists and first aiders to soothe those aching muscles at the Physio tent at the finish. Please feel free to visit the tent and have a welcome massage after your finish.
  1. A Medical Tent will be available at the venue next to the finish. There is a full support team on hand to deal with any emergency that may occur.
  2. A mobile crew is patrolling the route to deal with any major problems, supported by response vehicles, pickup vehicles and radio marshals to monitor your progress during the race.
  3. In the event of a problem on the route, you will be assisted. The Race Emergency number will be given in final instructions. This will go direct to the Emergency Centre from which the mobile units which will be dispatched to attend to the incident.
  4. In addition, there are radio communications at every water point along the route – you may use these to make contact with the emergency centre.
  1. Please complete your medical information on the back of your race number to assist medical personnel in case of an emergency. We have vehicles that patrol the route to assist those who are unable to complete the race and ensure they are returned to the finish safely.
  2. Avoid discomfort by putting plasters on nipples, and Vaseline on areas that chafe BEFORE the race.
  1. If in any doubt about your health, consult your personal doctor before the race.
  2. If you have had influenza or Diarrhoea in the week before the race, PLEASE visit your doctor or the race doctor before running.
  3. Painkillers are NOT available during the race, for your own safety. Analgesics such as Panado/Nurofen can cause serious complications such as dehydration and can even lead to renal failure. We recommend you do not take any painkillers prior to or during the race, for your own safety.

Venue And Directions

ADDRESS

Hartbeespoort High School

Coordinates -25.7216928, 27.8781848
get directions
50km route
21km route
  • Runners can make use of the Tog Bag Area that will be available at the start.
  • Runners must ensure that their bags are labelled with their names on the label provided at the tog bag area.
  • Every care will be taken to ensure that the bags are safeguarded. However, runners are advised not to leave expensive or valuable items in their bags, as the organisers cannot accept responsibility for any losses.

Please note that Club Gazebos will be allowed on the Venue; however, the following rules will need to be adhered to. Any deviation from these rules will result in a possible banning of your club gazebo for future races.

Rule 1: Club Gazebos can only be erected on Friday the 14th of March between 10:00am to 20:00pm

Rule 2: No Vehicles will be allowed on the venue. There will be a quad bike and assistants available to assist you with your club trailers on the Friday etc. No TRAILERS etc will be allowed on the venue on Saturday.

Rule 3: ll catering equipment, cooler boxes etc can be carried to your relevant gazebo on the venue on Saturday.

Rule 4: No club trailers will be removed from the venue until after the race has finished.

Again, the quad bike and assistants will be available.

Rules and Timing

  • The race is run under Athletics South Africa (ASA) and Athletics North-West North (ANWN). By entering the race each athlete accepts the responsibility to know and abide by these rules and the rules of the race.
  • Both the 50 & 21km races are timed by CHAMBERLAIN’S TIMEKEEPING powered by FINISH TIME. Each athlete will be given a race number with disposable CHIP. – NO RACE NUMBER – NO PRIZES.
  • 8km race is not timed and deemed as a FUN RUN.
  • Athletes indemnify national, regional, provincial bodies, sponsors, and organisers against any action due to participation in the race.
  • Runners participate at their own risk.
  • All athletes must wear the race numbers provided on the front of their vests.
  • 50KM: All athletes must be registered to a club affiliated to ASA must and all athletes must:
    1. wear their club colours; and
    2. wear 2026 ASA license number on their vest with the top branded section visible both front and back.
    3. Therefore, for any unlicensed athletes, there will be no temporary license available, and you will not be able to participate in the race. Only foreign athletes may run an Ultra Marathon in a temporary license.  All South African citizens must wear a valid 2026 ASA license.
  • 21KM: All athletes must either be registered to a club affiliated to ASA or purchase a TEMPORARY ASA race number.
  • Numerical age categories ID tags must be visible on back and front of runner’s shirt for potential category prizes.
  • Foreign/International athletes on the 50km not belonging to a club affiliated to ASA will be buy a temporary license and must wear the temporary license on the back of their vests.
  • Entrants on the 21km who do not belong to a club affiliated to ASA and who do not have a 2026 ASA license number must buy a temporary license.
  • International athletes must provide a clearance letter from their country of origin in the event of them winning a prize.
  • Foreign athletes are not allowed to run in club colours unless such club exits in their country of origin, or they are in possession of a refugee status permit or are naturalised citizens of RSA.
  • To win an age award proof of age must be produced on the day.
  • Minimum age for participants in the event:
    1. 50km: – no younger than 20 on the day of the race
    2. 21km: no younger than 16 on the day of the race
  • 50km Only: Athletes competing in their 10th Om Die Dam race will be given a special race number. If this athlete finishes the race within the cut-of time, he will be handed an ODD BLUE NUMBER at the finish.
  • Athletes competing in their 20th, and 30th Om Die Dam, will also be treated as above.
  • All 21km entries will have a free bus ticket that will transport any athlete from Hartbeespoort Highschool to the 21km start as well as transport any athlete back to the start after the race – No cost involved.
  • 21km Bus Times

03H30: 1st Bus to leave Hartbeespoort High School
05h00:  Last bus to leave – No busses available after 05h00

As soon as the bus is full of athletes, the bus will leave immediately

  • Water / hydration stations will be available approximately every 3 kilometres on the route.
  • Club trailers and gazebo’s will be allowed at dedicated marked-off areas of the race venue unless there are safety amendments due to unforeseen events.
  • No bicycles are allowed along the route.
  • Online entries only – no exceptions
  • No littering on the route. There will be dedicated litter boxes and marked areas after each water station. If a referee sees an athlete littering on the route, that referee may disqualify the athlete.
  • No Ipods or listening devices.
  • Athletes may not participate with pets.
  • All traffic officers and officials’ instructions must be obeyed.
  • The race organizer retains the right to refuse entry and eject persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol, who are disorderly, or engage in inappropriate behaviour, vandalism or evade paying for admission.
  • Late Runners: The start of the 50km will close 15 minutes after the official start time and any runner later than this will not be allowed to start the race.
  • Any runner who does not follow this rule and starts the race after 15min will be disqualified and not provided with a time or any race handout.
  • ALL prizes are based on GUN TO MAT times therefore all route cut-off and finish cut-offs will be based on Gun to Mat times.
  • 50km Cut-off times: Runners who have not reached the following marks in the times specified will not be allowed to continue:

1st CO/15km: 2 hours, 6 minutes (08h00)
Halfway/25km: 3 hours 30 minutes (09h30)
Marathon/42,2km: 6 hours (12h00)
Finish line /50km: 7 hours (13h00)

If you do not reach the cut-off points within the required time, you will be asked to retire from the Race and leave the road. YOU MAY NOT CONTINUE RUNNING.

  • Transport will be provided at all the cut-off points to take the runners back to the Finish.
  • Athletes who fail to obey the race officials will be subject to disciplinary action and may be banned from participating in the Om die Dam Ultra Marathon in future.

Collecting your race pack

Please bring your App QR code on your phone to collection, as well as ID Document when collecting your race pack.

If you are collecting a race pack on behalf of someone else, you should have a copy of his/her ID document available at collection alongside the App QR code.

All Uncollected packs will be sent to the next collection point.

If not collected before or on Friday 15th March, your race entry will be forfeited.

NO COLLECTION ON RACE DAY IS POSSIBLE

Race number collection points:

    1. Sunday 8th March: Pretoria MAKRO Centurion 10h00 to 14h00
    2. Sunday 15th March Joburg MAKRO Woodmead 10h00 to 14h00
    3. Friday 20th March Hartbeespoort  Hartbeespoort Builders  12h00 to 20h00.

Category Prizes

POTENTIAL RACE WINNERS

Timing is GUN TO MAT. The athlete who runs over the finish line first is the winner.

This applies to all categories.

Prizes will be given to both Men and Women athletes.

Late Runners: The start of the 50km will be closed 15 minutes after the official start time and any runner later than this is not allowed to start the race.

The following prize money will be available for category prizes and the prizes will be transferred electronically to the winner by way of an EFT after the race. No exceptions, and no CASH payments.

Please allow approximately one month after the race for prize money to be paid because of Doping regulations. Please have bank details available.

NO WALKERS PRIZES

50km Prize Money:

 

Open

40-49

50-59

60-69

70+

1st

R25,000

R2,500

R2,500

R2,500

R2,500

2nd

R12,500

R1,500

R1,500

R1,500

R1,500

3rd

R7,500

R1,000

R1,000

R1,000

R1,000

The table below serves as an illustration on potential category winners times:

 

Men

Women

Category

42km Criteria

50km Criteria

42km Criteria

50km Criteria

Open

2:40:00

3:25:00

3:27:00

4:23:00

40-49

2:49:00

3:34:00

3:27:00

4:23:00

50-59

3:09:00

3:59:00

3:53:00

4:56:00

60-69

3:57:00

4:59:00

4:40:00

5:57:00

70+

All

All

All

All

21km Prize Money:

 

Open

40-49

50-59

60-69

70+

1st

R5,000

R1,000

R1,000

R1,000

R1,000

2nd

R2,500

R500

R500

R500

R500

3rd

R1,500

R250

R250

R250

R250

RECORD BREAKING

R20,000 bonus to 1st Man or Woman for breaking the ODD 50km race record on the day.
Men record: 2010 – Othaniel Phahlane 2:49:39
Woman record: 2024 – Gerda Steyn 3:16:16

  • The prize-giving for the 50km Ultra Marathon is at 12:00.
  • The prize-giving for the 21km Ultra Marathon is at 10:00.
  • All award winners are advised to be at the finish area 30 minutes prior to prize giving in order to ascertain if they are an award winner.
  • All award winners must be in the area 10 minutes prior to the Prize giving time.

  • NO Medals will be posted and NO Medals after CUT-OFF.