Warriors of the Comrades Down Run
South Africa is witnessing a golden era of ultramarathon performance.
Over the past few years, local runners have stamped their dominance on the Comrades Marathon.
Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn have earned international acclaim through consistency, discipline and remarkable pace over gruelling distances.
Dijana, a security guard, inspires many with his humble background and meteoric rise to a three-time Comrades winner.
Steyn, who has won multiple Two Oceans Marathons, has set a new standard for women's distance running in South Africa.
MEN'S COMRADES DOWN RUN WINNERS
Year Winner Country Time
2025 Tete Dijana South Africa 5:25:28
2023 Tete Dijana South Africa 5:13:58
2019 Edward Mothibi South Africa 5:31:33
2018 Bongmusa Mthembu South Africa 5:26:34
2016 David Gatebe South Africa 5:18:19
MEN'S DOWN RUN RECORD HOLDER
2023 Tete Dijana South Africa 5:13:58
In 2023, Dijana mounted an incredible race to smash the down run record previously held by David Gatebe by over four minutes.
WOMEN'S COMRADES DOWN RUN WINNERS
Year Winner Country Time
2025 Gerda Steyn South Africa 5:51:19
2023 Gerda Steyn South Africa 5:44:54
2019 Gerda Steyn South Africa 5:58:53
2018 Ann Ashworth South Africa 6:10:04
2016 Charne Bosman South Africa 6:25:55
WOMEN'S DOWN RUN RECORD HOLDER
2023 Gerda Steyn South Africa 5:44:54
Steyn is widely regarded as the queen of ultra-distance running in South Africa.
Her 2023 win not only marked a personal best but broke a record previously held by Frith van der Merwe since 1989.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Comrades Marathon provides R600 million boost for KwaZulu-Natal economy
Durban to host Bafana Bafana? Durban's Mose Mabhida Stadium has been the venue that hosts some of the city's big sporting events, and generating huge revenue. Image: Leon Lestrade/Independent Media The start of the Comrades Marathon, that attracted thousands of athletes and spectators, began the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg and finished at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium. Image: Supplied THE KwaZulu-Natal economy received a boost of over R600 million, all spinning off Sunday's running of the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon, which was said to have attracted around 20 000 runners. Much of that spend would have landed in Durban coffers as this year's Comrades 'down run' finished at city's Moses Mabhida Stadium. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading It has been good recent goings for Durban in terms of earning from big events. Media reports have indicated that the Africa Travel Indaba netted the city around R570 million, and the Nedbank Cup final between Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, also in May, scored revenue of nearly R100 million for Durban. Last week's Isuzu Ironman 70.3 Durban event and the shoals of sardines that beached on the city's shores, attractions in their own right, would have also produced some nice nibbles for the local economy. The Hollywoodbets Durban July race day is a big drawcard event for the city. Image: Tumi Pakkies/African News Agency(ANA) Currently, Gold Circle's Champions Season, which attracts some of the country's top thoroughbred horses to racing events, is in full gallop. The Champion Seasons' main offering, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, a horserace that always produces a massive injection of earnings for local hospitality and tourism operators, as well as other related industries, is scheduled for July 5. Rosemary Anderson, chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa, said the current financial boom for Durban underlined what a powerhouse sports tourism has become globally. 'UN Tourism reports it accounts for about 10 % of all tourism spending, while market analysis shows the sector was valued at over USD 680 billion in 2023 and is on track to double by 2030. 'This demonstrates just how high‑impact sports events can be – not only do they inject immediate revenue, but they also elevate a destination's global profile, create jobs, and lay the groundwork for repeat visitation,' Anderson also appreciated the impact the Comrades had on local businesses. 'Durban and KwaZulu‑Natal have enjoyed a good tourism and hospitality boost, and organisers estimate the event injected over R600 million into the local economy, which supported at least 1 800 jobs across hospitality, transport, and event services . 'This isn't just about the race day; fully booked hotels in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Umhlanga, extended stays by supporters and families, pre‑ and post‑race tourism, and packed restaurants and attractions have created a vibrant ripple effect.' As the Hollywoodbets Durban July was on the horizon, Anderson said it was on track to provide another golden opportunity for a grand pay day– and the city should seize it. 'Events like the July have the potential to further amplify tourism, luring domestic and international visitors, filling accommodation, energising the restaurant and retail sectors, and boosting brand Durban on the world stage. 'The more we host quality sporting events, the more we unlock value for our tourism and hospitality industry – and in South Africa, that's a strategy worth pursuing aggressively. 'As FEDHASA - we hope that the Dept of Sports, Arts and Culture – will work towards dramatically increasing the number of international sporting events held in SA, " Anderson appealed. The eThekwini Municipality's mayor, Cyril Xaba, said hosting the Comrades continues to position Durban as a most preferred sporting destination. 'eThekwini is proud to host this global event, and roll-out the red carpet for runners and spectators. We always do our best in ensuring that our visitors' stay is an unforgettable one, to affirm Durban as a destination of choice for major events. ''Hosting such major international events brings us much joy, as it is a strong indication that we are among other international cities known for successfully delivering memorable sporting events. We will continue to leverage on such events as they boost the local economy and drive tourism,' said Xaba. DAILY NEWS
The Herald
12 hours ago
- The Herald
Elite Comrades runners hindered by missed supplement bottles
Several runners who contested top positions in the 98th Comrades Marathon on Sunday blamed undersized tables used to hold elite athletes' bottles for missing their timed fuelling, believing this led to them cramping at crucial segments of the race. Athletes use various energy gels and supplements needed by their bodies to prevent cramping and other issues. Former Comrades marathon winner Edward Mothibi attributed part of his cramping during the second half of the 89.9km race to missing his nutrition bottles at some of the demarcated elite tables. Speaking during the post-race media conference, Mothibi, who placed fourth in the men's race, said that when they reached about 60km he had started having some problems. 'Just about 25km [distance remaining], I started getting some problems,' he said. 'I kept on cramping and I needed to take water each time. 'There was a stage where I was behind, and [race winner] Tete Dijana had to wait for me and ask, 'brother, what is going on?'. 'I told him I kept on cramping and that it was not a good sign. 'I said, 'You must just go for now, I will catch up.' 'We do take nutrition. I was taking nutrition the whole day, but the sad part is that sometimes we had to kneel and try to grab the [special] drinks, and it was very difficult for us. 'We had to skip drinks every time. Without our Nedbank supporters, we could not have got drinks. At least we got them.' He said there had been no way they could have grabbed the drinks from the floor, so they had skipped them and got them from the Nedbank seconders at the next spot. His club manager, Nick Bester, said they had held three meetings with some of the Comrades Marathon Association committee members, telling them that their approach to elite tables was not going to work. 'It is too complicated. They make it too different,' he said. 'We told them before the time, we said they must allow hand and stand, and they said no, they don't want to allow hand and stand.' Bester said he had spoken to women's winner Gerda Steyn's husband, and she had got only three bottles from the elite water stations. 'So that's unacceptable,' he said. 'If he were not on the motorbike with hired people and supporting her, then it would have been big trouble. 'So that was a shortfall and a shortfall could have been prevented if they had listened to the team managers because we are coming with the race for 45 years.' Another elite athlete, who also struggled grabbing the bottles, was Maxed Elite's new star signing, Joseph Manyedi. Manyedi said that during the last 14km of the race he had struggled with cramps when pushing the pace while pursuing Mothibi and Piet Wiersma, who were a few metres in front of him. Manyedi said elite athletes should have their own people second them on the road. Runners and managers from other clubs did not want to speak on record, but also voiced their frustrations. Comrades Marathon Association general manager Alain Dalais confirmed some club managers had spoken to him about the height of the elite water station tables. 'I''s our second year attempting the elite stations,' he said. 'We will take that feedback constructively and look at continuing to improve it next year.' — WATCH: We are the Champions News Agency
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Chaeli Mycroft triumphs in her seventh Comrades Marathon, pushing for wheelchair inclusion
Chantal Fisher, Chaeli Mycroft and Jerome Swartz after completing the 98th Comrades Marathon on Sunday. Image: Supplied Michaela 'Chaeli' Mycroft, 30, is on course to obtain her green number after finishing the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon with seconds to spare on Sunday. Chaeli, a wheelchair athlete living with cerebral palsy, braved the cold, wind, and hot weather from Pietermaritzburg to Durban to claim her seventh Comrades finish. Chaeli, who founded the Chaeli Campaign with her mother Zelda Mycroft, served legal papers on the Comrades Marathon in 2016 because their rules stated no wheelchairs or mechanical devices. After two months and then threatening to take them to the Equality Court, they relented. Also in 2016, Chaeli and another woman, Anita Engelbrecht, who is also an assisted athlete, were the first two wheelchair athletes to participate and finish the Comrades. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Chaeli is the first wheelchair athlete in the event's history to finish the Comrades and also the first to receive a back-to-back medal. This means she did that in 2016 and 2017,' Mycroft said. She said Chaeli has competed in every marathon since then, but in 2019, she did not finish after missing the halfway cut-off in Drummond. On Sunday, Chaeli finished her seventh Comrades, making it a total of seven finishes. 'On Sunday, she had two running partners with her. Her long-term running partner, Chantal Fisher. This was the fourth Comrades that Chantal has done with Chaeli. And the first time with Jerome Swartz. This was his ninth Comrades. 'Jerome has already said that he wants to run with Chaeli next year when he runs to get his green number,' Mycroft said. 'Chaeli is set on getting her green number because we have fought long and hard for the inclusion of wheelchair athletes in the Comrades. The only way for her to be assured of it being a permanent thing is for her to get her green number. So it is her goal to get her green number in 2028.' Mycroft explained that wheelchair athletes started at 5am, 45 minutes ahead of the field. So they had two hours in the dark, and when you leave Maritzburg, the temperatures dip when you go out into the countryside. She said for Chaeli, Sunday's down run alternated between freezing and very hot. 'The first two hours were extremely cold, and then hot and windy, and the first half was amazing. They were hoping for a bronze, and in the first half of the marathon, up to Bothas Hill, they were ahead of schedule. Then Bothas Hill, they did more than 11 minutes a kilometre, so that set them back,' Mycroft said. 'Then the last half, where they were hoping to go faster, it was nine minutes a kilometre. This meant they had to do the last five kilometres in 30 minutes. 'They came in with 24 seconds to spare. It was down to the wire.' Back: Jerome Swartz, Chantal Fisher, Marissa Groenewald and Shaun Black. Front: Chaeli Mycroft and Hayden Driemeyer. Image: Supplied Mycroft, who sees herself as the archivist for wheelchair inclusion, said she has the history of all the wheelchair athletes since 2016. 'There are only seven of them. Two self-propelled wheelchair athletes and five assisted athletes have participated in the last nine years,' Mycroft said. 'Chaeli is the only wheelchair athlete to have done them all.' Chaeli is also an author and activist. In 2023, she received the Forbes Woman Africa Young Achievers Award.
