Bright Mikolongwe produced a phenomenal and gutsy performance to earn a Wally Hayward medal on his Comrades Marathon debut in Pietermaritzburg on June 14.

The Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) star showed tremendous strength on the punishing up-run route from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, completing the 85.77km race in an impressive 05:58:29.

His remarkable effort saw him finish 47th overall and 27th in his age category, securing a coveted sub-six-hour finish in his first appearance in the Ultimate Human Race.

The Malawian runner had boldly targeted a sub-six-hour finish in the build-up to the race and delivered in style, producing one of the standout novice performances of the day.

Mikolongwe led the charge for BNAC, with 146 club members successfully completing the race. The club’s medal haul included five silver medals, 19 Bill Rowans, 35 Robert Mtshalis, 36 bronzes and 50 Vic Claphams.

Shane McGregor claimed his fifth consecutive silver medal after clocking 07:04:25, while Elias Kope earned a third successive silver and a personal best of 07:10:28.

George Ehlers secured his first silver medal in just his second Comrades and first up run, crossing the line in 07:14:29. Darren Zabielski added a second silver medal to his collection after finishing in 07:19:34, having previously earned Bill Rowan and Robert Mtshali medals.

BNAC chairperson Mark Dingle also collected his second silver medal to add to an impressive Comrades record that includes seven Bill Rowans and three Robert Mtshalis.

Alison de Bruin was the club’s first woman home, finishing in a personal best 08:04:13. She shaved more than 33 minutes off her debut time of 08:37:53 recorded during last year’s down run.

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Club captain Bernice Piveteau made history by earning her double green number after completing her 20th Comrades Marathon in 10:58:31 for a bronze medal. Since her debut in 2000, she has accumulated 19 bronze medals and one Vic Clapham medal.

Mphuthi leads Harriers charge

Fanie Mphuthi was the first Benoni Harriers athlete home, earning a silver medal in 07:21:45. Amelda Holt was the club’s first woman across the line after finishing in 11:25:57.

The Harriers collected one silver medal, four Robert Mtshalis and four Vic Claphams.

Kusche and Steyn rewrite the record books

The race also produced history at the front as George Kusche and Gerda Steyn shattered the men’s and women’s up-run course records.

Kusche claimed his maiden Comrades title in a blistering 05:15:56, slashing nearly 10 minutes off the previous record. Defending champion Piet Wiersma finished second in 05:19:36, while Maxed Elite’s Mbuti Mollo held on for third after leading from Drummond before being caught in the closing stages.

Steyn secured her fifth Comrades crown in a record-breaking 05:44:53. Nobukhosi Tshuma was the only other woman to break six hours, finishing second in 05:53:36, while Irvette van Zyl completed the podium in 06:02:30.

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