Local runner shares Comrades success story

A delayed race entry, a five-week break from training on medical advice and months of uncertainty did not stop Ermelo’s Sizakele Mahlangu from achieving her goal of earning a back-to-back Comrades Marathon medal.

For Mahlangu, crossing the finish line of the 2026 Comrades Marathon in 11 hours and 17 minutes was about much more than completing another ultramarathon.

It marked the end of a journey defined by perseverance, faith and determination, while also earning her a personal best compared with her first Comrades Marathon.

Her journey began in September 2025 when she successfully qualified for the 2026 race.

Qualifying early gave her plenty of time to prepare properly, however when entries opened in November, she was unable to secure a place and had to wait for the substitution process.

Instead of allowing the disappointment to derail her preparation, Mahlangu continued training.

“I never stopped seeing myself standing on the starting line in Durban, ready to collect my back-to-back medal,” she said.

A second obstacle followed in February when doctors instructed her to stop training for about five weeks during one of the most important stages of her Comrades preparation.

“For a runner preparing for Comrades, five weeks feels like a lifetime.”

Despite the setback, Mahlangu remained confident that she would recover in time if the opportunity to compete came.

Her breakthrough finally came in April when she received confirmation that she had secured an entry. By then she had resumed training and focused on rebuilding her fitness.

Having completed the Down Run in 2025, Mahlangu said she specifically wanted to experience the famous Up Run to complete what she describes as the full Comrades experience.

“I wanted to be able to say that I had conquered both the Down Run and the Up Run.”

She admitted that the Up Run proved every bit as demanding as she had expected.

“Beyond the famous Big Five hills, there seemed to be countless more hills waiting along the route. The race demanded far more than physical fitness. It required mental toughness, emotional strength and spiritual resilience.”

Mahlangu believes Comrades success requires preparation beyond physical training, as it is not only a physical race – she believes athletes have to train mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

She described race day as an unforgettable experience, saying the encouragement from spectators and supporters carried her through the most challenging sections of the route.

Along the way she drew strength from her husband, her running club, her Red Nation family, friends and supporters.

“The support from the crowds reminded me why Comrades is called the ‘ultimate human race’. It is more than a race; it is a celebration of humanity, community and perseverance.”

Reflecting on her achievement, Mahlangu said the finish line represented far more than another medal.

For her it represented faith through uncertainty, perseverance through setbacks, and trusting God’s timing when things did not make sense.

She said she does not take the achievement of completing consecutive Comrades Marathons for granted.

“I am grateful to my family, friends, teammates, club members and every person who supported me throughout this journey. Above all, I am grateful to God.”

Mahlangu hopes her experience will encourage others who dream of tackling the iconic race.

“Your dream is valid. It is possible. It is achievable. You simply need to believe in yourself, commit to the process and be willing to put in the work.”

She believes the Comrades Marathon is about far more than running.

“It is a journey of self-discovery, resilience, courage and growth. You can never run Comrades and remain the same person. The race changes how you see challenges, how you approach life and how you view your own potential.”

Her message to aspiring runners is simple – “Dream it. Train for it. Believe it. Achieve it. It all starts today.”