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IOL News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
2025 Comrades Marathon prize money: Top-10 finisher payouts
WINNER PAYOUTS Here are the 2025 Comrades Marathon prize money details, top-10 finisher payouts, and key race statistics, including hydration supplies, food provisions, and the new two-group start format. Picture: Phakamisa Lensman/BackPagePix As the dust settles on the Comrades Marathon on Sunday evening, the top-10 runners in each race will sleep soundly not just from exhaustion but also from the knowledge of their bank balance receiving a significant boost. Long gone are the days when record nine-time champion Bruce Fordyce won the race purely for prize and not a single cent in prize money. Fordyce's last win in the gruelling ultra-marathon took place in 1990, and five years later prize money was first introduced. This year, both the men's and women's top-10 finishers will also receive the same payouts. Top-10 prize money payouts at 2025 Comrades Marathon
IOL News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
5 things to look out for at Comrades Marathon
START OF A JOURNEY Runners cross over the start of the Comrades Marathon. Picture: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix It's that time of year again, and the Comrades Marathon is once again here as over 22,000 runners are set to take on the challenge of running from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday. The down run this year is set to be held in good running conditions, with the risk of rain around 10%. Of course, from the outset the focus will be on the title contenders in the men's and women's races, which will be Piet Wiersma and Gerda Steyn. However, the majority of the race will be about the hordes of regular runners who will be putting in herculean efforts as they attempt to cross the finish line in the gruelling ultra-marathon. Here are five things to look out for at the Comrades Marathon this weekend. 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 ✕ Chariots of Fire at the start As is tradition, the song Chariots of Fire by Vangelis will be played on the loudspeaker system at the start just before the gun is fired. It's always a stirring and inspiring moment which brings the anticipation to a crescendo, before each runner sets off on their Comrades journey. Commentators telling us how far 90km is It's understandable that during a broadcast over more than 12 hours, commentators will run out of things to talk about at times. However, it's always particularly irritating when the commentators try to explain how far Comrades is, how it's more than two regular marathons, and for bonus points, they might even once more tell us how many parkruns (5km) Comrades is like running in a row. It's simply inane babble, and sometimes silence is golden. The final hour of the race This is where the real heart of the race lies. The runners that finish between 11 hours and the 12-hour cut-off are the ones who likely battle most to finish the race. These are not elite runners; these are people with regular jobs who somehow find the time to put in enough (or not enough) training just to simply cross the line. There will be many who crawl over the finish throughout the day, but the most come in this final hour. Finally, there will be scenes of heartbreak as viewers witness those runners who don't make it, despite their best efforts. It's TV sporting drama of the highest calibre.
IOL News
5 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Comrades Marathon key stats: Two tons of potatoes, 2. 2 million water sachets & more
KEY STATS Here are the key stats for the 2025 Comrades Marathon, featuring 25,000 runners, 2.2 million water sachets, two tons of potatoes, and extensive volunteer support across the 89km route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Picture: Phakamisa Lensman/BackPagePix With nearly 25,000 runners set to line up at the start in Pietermaritzburg for the Comrades Marathon, there are a number of key stats ahead of this year's down run to Durban on Sunday. The 89km race starts at 5.30am, with the cut-off time coming 12 hours later at 5.30pm. One of the biggest changes this year will be a new two-group start. This first group of the fastest qualifying runners in the field, with the elites at the front, will go off first. This first group will have around 12,500 runners taking off at the gun. Each group will be further divided into batches, with around 1,500 runners in each batch. The second main group will feature around 10,000 athletes.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: The 2025 Nedbank Cup final showdown
Greetings before Soweto derby Players from Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates shake hands before the start of the last Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The two teams will meet twice over the next two weeks, starting this past weekend. Photo: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs collide on Saturday in the 2025 Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with silverware, pride, and history all on the line in South Africa's biggest football rivalry. The iconic Durban venue — a 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-final host — will once again take centre stage as the Soweto giants meet for the ninth time in a Nedbank Cup final. This time, it's about more than just bragging rights. The Buccaneers come into the match in good form and with real momentum. Their 2-1 league win over Chiefs last weekend — thanks to goals from Evidence Makgopa and Relebohile Mofokeng — ensured a league double over their rivals and extended coach Jose Riveiro's unbeaten run in Soweto derbies since taking charge nearly three years ago. The Buccaneers are aiming to complete a treble of Nedbank Cup titles, having won the competition in 2023 and 2024. Far from underwhelming, their 2024/25 campaign has been one of consistency and progression. They sit second in the Betway Premiership standings, remain mathematically in the title race, and have built a team with both depth and identity. 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 ✕ Riveiro's side have been efficient in knockout football, showing composure and attacking intent. If they lift the trophy on Saturday, Pirates will not only assert their recent dominance in the derby but also underline their status as the country's most successful side in recent domestic cup competitions. The Glamour Boys, meanwhile, are seeking a turning point. Still outside the top eight and under pressure after another stuttering league campaign, Nasreddine Nabi's team need this trophy to inject belief into a new era. A first title since 2015 would go a long way in restoring pride at Naturena. Chiefs boast the historical edge in Nedbank Cup finals against Pirates, winning six of the previous eight, including triumphs in 1971, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1984, and 2006. But the tide has turned in recent years, with Pirates winning the last five derbies — including a 2-1 semi-final victory in this very competition in 2024.
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Soweto Derby showdown: Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs clash in season-defining battle at FNB Stadium
Greetings before Soweto derby Players from Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates shake hands before the start of the last Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The two teams will meet twice over the next two weeks, starting this weekend. Photo: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix It feels as though the last Soweto derby was just the other day. Now, here we are, on the eve of back-to-back derbies that could defy the season for both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. This weekend, the two rivals go head-to-head in a crucial league encounter at the FNB Stadium with both teams desperate to pick up the maximum three points for separate reasons. For Ezimnyama ngenkani ezikamagebhula, a win on Saturday will keep them within touching distance of league leaders and perennial kings of South African football, Mamelodi Sundowns. On top of that, the Sea Robbers will want to ensure that departing head coach Jose Riveiro has something to remember about his final season with the club. In three seasons under the Spaniard, Pirates have won back-to-back cup doubles and are well on course to match that this campaign. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 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 ✕ And with the league title so close for a change, they could even surpass their achievements of the last two years by bagging a league crown for the first time since 2012. The players will be hurting that they couldn't advance to the final of the CAF Champions League, and Saturday's clash against the old rival will be the perfect opportunity for them get over their disappointment. In the updated Betway Premiership table, Pirates trail Sundowns by nine points. Crucially, they have two games in hand, which represents a potential six points. While games in hand don't always translate to points in the bag, they could give Riveiro's men a target to aim for. Pirates' mettle will be severely tested this weekend against an opponent that wants to win for different reasons. When Nasreddine Nabi was brought in as the club's new coach at the beginning of the season, they wanted an improvement from the previous campaign, where the club struggled and finished outside of the top eight. In Nabi's first year in charge, there hasn't been much change. Sure, there have been glimpses that they can improve, but they have been few and far between. With three games left to play, Chiefs are very desperate for any points they can pick up. If they don't show any improvement from where they were last season, it will make Nabi's position at the club very difficult. To make things worse, it was reported earlier in the week that Wandile Duba, one of the club's creative playmakers, will be unavailable for selection as he serves a one-match suspension after being given a fourth yellow card. Both teams will be facing different kinds of pressure this weekend. Whoever wins will surely be the favourite to go on and win the Nedbank Cup final in Durban seven days later. With pride, silverware, and season-defining momentum all on the line, this Soweto derby carries weight far beyond the usual bragging rights. It's more than just a match — it's a moment that could tip the scales for two of South Africa's most iconic clubs. As the FNB Stadium prepares to host another chapter of this fierce rivalry, expect fireworks, passion, and the kind of drama only the derby can deliver. Whatever the outcome, Saturday will send ripples through the remainder of the season. IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
