Elite Eastern Cape runners bag PBs at Comrades
It rained personal best times for a group of Eastern Cape elite runners in the 2025 Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday.
The first runner to cross the finish line with EC roots was the Xhorha-born star athlete, Sithembiso Mqhele of the Nedbank Running Club, who completed his race in 5:42:11, beating his 2024 time of 5:57:44.
Mqhele said he had a good race this year compared to last year.
'I executed the plan as instructed by my coach, which was for me to run at the back of the leading bunch so that I could take on all those dropping back from the bunch. We reached all targets, even though I did not get into the top 10,' Mqhele said.
Because he runs for a club affiliated with KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, Mqhele was the second provincial athlete to finish the race after Bongumusa Mthembu.
Having improved his time and overall position in the race from 38th on the up run to 13th on Sunday, Mqhele said he was thrilled to take home yet another Wally Hayward medal.
Mthatha's Musa Zweni, who finished his race in 05:50:59, almost eight minutes better than his previous finish of 05:58:47, was the second most highly placed Eastern Cape athlete.
'I am very happy with my new personal best time. We have a three-year plan with the coach, so we have ticked one year and we continue with the plan,' Zweni said.
Impala Marathon Club's Mthandazo Qhina from Qunu, who now lives in the Western Cape and has represented that province in several national competitions, completed his race in 5:56:46, an improved performance from his 6:01 time in 2024.
'I spent a lot of time at the back of the bunch, and that delayed me,' Qhina said.
'If I were in the front, the top 10 would not have been far. I could have made it because the people in the top 10 are the same people I was training with.
'Getting into the top 10 was not difficult for me, but the only problem was that the coach said I must be at the back with my other teammate who was in the top 10 before.'
Another Nedbank Running Club athlete, Lulamile Danile, recorded his personal best with a 6:24:53, improving his previous finish of 6:17:40 in the race.
Danile said he was excited to run his personal best time and will now focus on improving.
Zwelonke Athletic Club's Thulani Sidziya hit the finish mat at the People's Park in Durban in 6:44:21, taking home another silver medal, in an improved time from his previous 7:16:43 in 2024.
Sidziya said he planned to run an improved sub-7:00 for another silver medal.
'I came in at 6:44:21. I am very happy with this result because it is the result of a properly executed race plan,' Sidziya said.
Hollywood Athletics Club's novice Owen Tshibo introduced himself with a 7:20:53 finish for his first run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, his first-ever ultra-marathon.
Tshibo was pleased with his silver medal time.
'To be honest, this was not my target coming to Comrades. But I set a target for something I don't know, since this was my first race.
'I am very happy to be getting this silver medal because many people don't get silver in their first Comrades,' he said. — WATCH: We are the Champions news agency
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The Citizen
39 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Comrades organisers to address ‘criticism and complaints'
A total of 19 runners were given a 30-minute time penalty for starting in the wrong group. Organisers of the Comrades Marathon have acknowledged some of the issues which arose during the annual ultra-distance race in KwaZulu-Natal last weekend. In what was essentially a dress rehearsal for the 100th edition of the race, to be held in 2027, the 'down' run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban attracted a record field of 20 972 starters, with 18 194 runners finishing the 90km race. On the positive side, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) said it was pleased with the decision to have two separate starts for the first time, which eased the congestion in the early stages of the race. Conversely, however, with the race finishing in the street (as opposed to a stadium venue) in Durban for the first time, organisers admitted they would need to make some changes in 2027 when they expected another record field. 'Congestion at the finish and dealing with the flow of people in the venue were particularly challenging in the last hour, although the event's safety and security teams attended to the bottleneck issue at the runners' exit area behind the finish line, and resolved it before any serious incidents could occur,' said CMA general manager Alain Dalais. False start There were some participants who were caught starting in group one when they were in the group two batch, giving them an extra 15 minutes to finish the race before the 12-hour cut-off. While they were not disqualified, they were given a time penalty. 'At the finish, all runners' race numbers were scanned to determine which medal they earned, and in the process 19 runners from group two were flagged for having started with group one,' the CMA said. 'After being interviewed by race officials, it was decided to penalise them with a 30-minute time penalty added to their finish times.' Meanwhile, it was confirmed there were no deaths during this year's race. While 440 athletes were admitted into the medical tent at the finish, only 25 runners were admitted to hospital, including Moira Harding, who was reported missing after the race and found the next morning after walking eight kilometres from the finish in a delirious state. 'All of these patients are stable and recovering, and are likely to be discharged in the next few days,' Dalais said. 'The Comrades race doctor (Jeremy Boulter) is closely monitoring their recovery and is in constant contact with the hospitals.' Elite refreshment stations One issue the CMA did not address was a bizarre situation which forced elite athletes to pick up their refreshments off the floor, with bottles being placed on the ground rather than tables, as is standard. After the race, gold medallist and former race winner Edward Mothibi said this had been a problem, and some elite runners had opted not to take their bottles in an attempt to avoid cramping by bending down to pick up their personal refreshments. However, the organisers said they would work on fixing multiple issues which had been raised by participants on social media, particularly around the congestion at the finish. 'We hear the criticism and complaints, particularly about the finish venue, management of flow in the venue, and security, and we want to assure the running community that we are taking this feedback seriously,' Dalais said. 'We will be implementing changes and improvements to enhance the overall runner and spectator experience, and of course, to improve on safety aspects as well.'
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Comrades Marathon confirms 'missing' runner STILL in hospital
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has confirmed that Moira Harding, who was found in a hypothermic state 15 hours after completing this year's race, remains in hospital . Moira Harding, 54, who represented Fish Hoek Athletic Club in the Western Cape, was found near the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) base in The Point, Durban. The base is situated roughly 7km from the new Comrades Marathon finish on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue at People's Park. The workers initially thought she was out training, but soon realised she was in fact in distress. Harding, who lives in Kommetjie, took a respectable 10:52:03 to complete the 89.98km run, well inside the 12-hour cut-off. At the time of publishing it still remains unclear how she ended up near the NSRI base. The CMA confirmed that Harding is one of five runners currently in hospital. The Comrades Marathon is the oldest, largest and most iconic ultramarathon in the world, attracting tens of thousands of local runners each year, along with thousands more from all over the world. Many of them come back year after year to tackle the hilly roads between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, which are lined by tens of thousands of spectators and volunteers, cheering the runners on, and millions more tune in to the live television broadcast. This is why it is known as The Ultimate Human Race, and why many believe that the Comrades is more than just a race… it is a life-changing journey. As the dust settles following the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday, 8 June, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is celebrating another incredible race in the rich history of this unique ultra-marathon, whilst also acknowledging that there were some issues and challenges experienced on race day. These will be thoroughly investigated and covered in the post-race debrief, and actions taken to improve on these aspects for next year's race. The CMA stated earlier that it was treating this year's race as a dress rehearsal for the 2027 Down Run, which will also be the 100th edition of the race, with (potentially) another record-sized field and extra celebrations as part of the event. The 2025 race, with the first ever split start in the history of the Comrades Marathon and a new street finish at People's Park in Durban, delivered important lessons that the CMA and its Race Organising Committee (ROC) will take on board in the planning for 2026 and 2027. In terms of what went well, the 2025 race featured a record field for the Down Run, with 18 194 official finishers (86.75%) out of 20 972 starters, and various innovative changes successfully introduced. These included the two-group split start, for safety reasons, and this worked so well that all runners were over the start line within six minutes of their starting gun being fired, vastly reducing the amount of time lost at the start by slower runners at the back end of the field. 'The CMA would like to thank the runners for their co-operation and discipline at the start in Pietermaritzburg, which not only set the scene for a great race, but also ensured the safety of all runners in the event,' says CMA General Manager Alain Dalais. In the elite race, South African superstars Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn emerged triumphant once again. Dijana, the winner in 2022 and 2023, crossed the line in 5:25:28, just ahead of 2024 winner Piet Wiersma (Netherlands), while Steyn added a fourth title to her already impressive record with another convincing win in 5:51:19, followed by 2022 winner Alexandra Morozova. This makes Steyn only the second woman (after eight-time winner Elena Nurgalieva) to win the race more than three times. At the finish, all runners' race numbers were scanned to determine which medal they earned, and in the process 19 runners from Group 2 were flagged for having started with Group 1. After being interviewed by race officials, it was decided to penalise them with a 30-minute time penalty added to their finish times. 'Other positives that the CMA is proud of is that there were no long queues at registration over the three days, and the registration process was seamless, with all runners receiving their goodie bags, Mr Price Sport Race T-shirt and Toyota cap. On race day, all 47 refreshment stations were well stocked, and supplied the runners with the hydration and nutrition they needed, and at the finish, all runners received their medals and finisher badges. Meanwhile, incidents of crime in and around the finish venue were drastically reduced from previous years, as a result of an increased security presence in the Finish Precinct, but we would still like to improve on that even more,' adds Dalais. The race also celebrated a remarkable milestone this year as Louis Massyn became the first athlete in the world to complete the same ultra-marathon 50 times. He crossed the line in 11:53:14, being met on the line by CMA Board Member Barry Holland, himself the owner of 49 Comrades medals, and then went through to the Green Number Tent to receive his specially framed Quintuple Green Number. Equally remarkable was Johannes Maros Mosehla extending his own record of oldest Comrades finisher, as the evergreen 83-year-old came home in 11:47:27. Earlier, three more women – Malie van der Walt, Helen Mann and Gina Hinchliffe – joined the fairly exclusive women's Triple Green Club, growing its membership from nine to 12. A total of 528 runners received new Green Numbers on the day, for 10, 20, 30 or 50 finishes. Meanwhile, 4 258 novice runners claimed their first Comrades medals. On the medical front, a full medical report will still be issued by Comrades Race Doctor Jeremy Boulter, but initial reports show that 440 athletes were admitted into the Finish Medical Tent, and 200 athletes were sent to hospital – 169 directly from the route, and 31 from the finish. There were no deaths reported during or as a result of the event, although some digital news platforms falsely reported the passing of two runners. Of the 200 athletes sent to hospital, 25 patients were admitted, and at the time of writing (Wednesday, 11 June) five are currently still in hospital, including Moira Harding, who was reported missing after the race and only found the next morning. 'All of these patients are stable and recovering, and are likely to be discharged in the next few days. The Comrades Race Doctor is closely monitoring their recovery, and is in constant contact with the hospitals,' says Dalais. However, the CMA readily admits that certain aspects of the race need immediate attention. Congestion at the finish and dealing with the flow of people in the venue were particularly challenging in the last hour, although the event's Safety and Security teams attended to the bottleneck issue at the Runner's Exit area behind the finish line, and resolved it before any serious incidents could occur. 'There were no stampede incidents on the day, nor were any injuries reported by any runners or spectators as a result of the congestion at the Runner's Exit, but this is one of the most important aspects of the race plan that we are already looking at carefully and working to fix for next time,' says Dalais. Unsurprisingly, there have been a number of comments posted on social media platforms since the race about the challenges experienced at the 2025 race, and Dalais says the CMA is listening. 'We strive to put on the perfect race, ensuring the safety of our runners and spectators while providing them with an exhilarating experience, from registration through the start all the way to the finish and beyond, but there will always be room for improvement, and thus we are taking note of all the feedback and input from our runners – whether positive or negative – and adding this to the post-race debrief notes. 'We hear the criticism and complaints, particularly about the finish venue, management of flow in the venue, and security, and we want to assure the running community that we are taking this feedback seriously. We will be implementing changes and improvements to enhance the overall runner and spectator experience, and of course, to improve on safety aspects as well.' As part of this process of self-evaluation, the CMA invited world-renowned road running expert, Dr Hilary Walker, General Secretary of the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) to attend this year's race, and the CMA Board met with her the day after the race for an initial feedback session. 'She had valuable insights to share on various aspects of our race, and will be sending us a more detailed report soon, which we will add to the 2025 debrief process as we work towards making the 2026 and 2027 races even better,' says Dalais. 'So, whilst we celebrate the success stories of the 2025 Comrades Marathon, the CMA will continue to have an open, two-way channel of communications with its runners, spectators, media, sponsors, partners and volunteers, and all feedback is welcomed. Anybody that would like to contribute their thoughts or ideas to our debrief process is welcome to mail us at info@ We not only welcome this input, we rely on it, in order to ensure the continued success of The Ultimate Human Race,' concludes Dalais. The Comrades Marathon always delivers a number of interesting results and statistics, and a quick look at the numbers shows the following: NUMBER OF STARTERS TOTAL MEN WOMEN GROUP 1 (05:45) 11 366 9 887 1 478 GROUP 2 (06:00) 9 608 6 834 2 774 TOTAL 20 974 16 721 4 253 NUMBER OF FINISHERS TOTAL MEN WOMEN GROUP 1 (05:45 10 852 9 441 1 411 GROUP 2 (06:00) 7 357 5 206 2 151 TOTAL 18 209 14 647 3 562 *The final number of finishers may change, as a small number of queried results are being investigated. PERCENTAGE – FINISHERS TOTAL MEN WOMEN GROUP 1 (05:45) 95.48% 95.49% 95.40% GROUP 2 (06:00) 76.57% 76.18% 77.54% TOTAL 86.82% 87.59% 83.75% MEDAL BREAKDOWN MEDAL QUALIFIERS MEN WOMEN GOLD First 10 Men and Women 10 10 WALLY HAYWARD Men's position 11 to 05:59:59 31 0 ISAVEL ROCHE-KELLY Women's position 11 to 06:59:59 0 15 SILVER Men: 06:00:00 to 07:29:59 Women: 07:00:00 to 07:29:59 669 29 BILL ROWAN 07:30:00 to 08:59:59 2 585 259 ROBERT MTSHALI 09:00:00 to 09:59:59 2 708 493 BRONZE 10:00:00 to 10:59:59 3 839 974 VIC CLAPHAM 11:00:00 to 11:59:59 4 805 1 782 TOTAL 14 647 3 562 NOVICES – FIRST COMRADES TOTAL MEN WOMEN STARTERS 4 973 3 671 1 302 FINISHERS 4 258 3 184 1 074 PERCENTAGES 85.62% 86.73% 82.48% BACK-2-BACK TOTAL MEN WOMEN 2 827 2 179 648 GREEN NUMBERS EARNED TOTAL MEN WOMEN 10 FINISHES 412 355 66 20 FINISHES 81 72 9 30 FINISHES 20 17 3 40 FINISHES 0 0 0 50 FINISHES 1 1 0 TOTAL 523 445 78 TOP 20 MOST TRACKED PARTICIPANTS ON THE COMRADES MARATHON APP NAME TIMES TRACKED Gerda Steyn 52 630 Onalenna Khonkhobe 25 819 Tete Dijana 24 208 Gloria Nokwazi Ngcobo 12 959 Schalk Bezuidenhout 11 224 Piet Wiersma 9 901 Louis Massyn 9 844 Carla Molinaro 8 259 Sipho Marima 6 682 Charles Mnisi 6 440 Elizabeth Mukoloma 5 592 Irvette van Zyl 4 868 Masibulele Mkhundlu 4 735 Kabelo Mabalane 4 372 Jenna Challenor 4 338 Alexandra Morozova 4 037 Rachel Beaton 3 514 Rory Petzer 3 206 Caitlin Hood 2 999 Marissa Groenewald 2 795 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
In a WTC of tight margins Ngidi's lack of discipline costly for Proteas
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