More than 100 North Coast runners braved the unrelenting tarmac between Durban and Pietermaritzburg on Sunday to finish the 97th Comrades Marathon.

This year’s field of 20 600 enjoyed perfect sunny but cool conditions in the first up run since 2019 following Covid-19 cancellations and roadworks.

Tongaat’s Elston Naicker was the best local finisher for the third year in a row, again finishing within the top 100 overall in a time of 6.16:45.

It was his third silver medal (sub-7.30) in three attempts, the latter two while representing the Nedbank Running Club.

“I felt in the best shape of any Comrades so far, right up until my last easy run last Tuesday,” said Naicker.

“I twisted my ankle while running and landed on my left knee, which just got more and more swollen throughout the week.”

Naicker said he considered dropping out but decided he would rather start the race and pull out if he felt the knee was giving him trouble.

“I felt great at the start and ran just like I had practiced through the first 40 kilometres. But at around the 50km mark my left leg seized and I had to stop to get some quick treatment,” he said.

“On that last stretch I could not get any rhythm and I had to walk quite a few times from Polly Shorts to the finish.”

“I was surprised to see the time, because at that point I was just thinking of finishing.”

Naicker said he hoped to be back stronger next year and continues to chase a sub 6-hour finish.

Elsewhere, the Dolphin Coast Striders, Mandeni Harriers and Tongaat Panthers were all well represented on Sunday.

Mandeni’s Jabulani Mabaso was the second fastest local runner overall, running a blistering 6.30:11 in his 23rd Comrades and finishing 3rd in the 50-59 men’s category.

Mabaso has been an incredibly consistent runner, finishing in over 7 hours just twice.

Mhlengi Khowane was the fastest Strider, claiming a silver medal in his first Comrades in a time of 6.46:24.

Nic Acampora (6.47:19), Andrew Erasmus (7.03:03) and Jean-Marc Larche (7.26:55) rounded out the Striders’ silver medalists.

Flying Umdloti’s flag high, Aron Mahlangu grabbed a silver of his own, going sub-7 hours in his second Comrades in a time of 6.58:26.

Mthandeni Nene (Nedbank) earned the final silver medal for the North Coast this year in a personal best time of 7.19:29.

Janine Goes (Dolphin Coast Striders) was the only local category winner, finishing atop the 60-69 women in a time of 9.01:49.

Sunday also proved a special day for Naren Rajkumar (Tongaat Panthers), Alford Khanyile (Mandeni Harriers), Graeme Hall and Benjamin Kilian (both Dolphin Coast Striders).

All four runners completed their 10th Comrades and earned a green number to commemorate their efforts.

Lucas Buthelezi (Mandeni Harriers) joined an even more exclusive club when he finished his 30th Comrades after first entering in 1985.

Less than 100 athletes in history have completed 30 races.

Just two have run 49, which is unfortunately the number Barry Holland remains on after he was unable to finish his 50th consecutive race on Sunday.

Eight more green number holders added to their tally last weekend, led by Colin Goosen who ran number 42.

Goosen has the 7th most finishes in history, running every year since 1980 with the exception of 1990.

The other green number finishers were Debbie Holland (21), Sibusiso Jali and David Mzobe (both 18), Fisokuhle Mhlongo, Shannon Clark, Earl Donnelly and Pasma Gumede (all 11).

At the other end of the spectrum, 26 locals completed their first Comrades.

Justice Mkhwanazi of Mandeni Harriers deserves special mention too. He finished his fourth Comrades on Sunday, his first since 2009.

In the intervening 12 events, he started and did not finish 11, 10 of which came in a row before this Sunday.

He exemplifies the true spirit of the Comrades, unwilling to give up in the face of a decade of setbacks.

So too did Piet Wiersma (Netherlands) and Gerda Steyn (South Africa) who won the overall men’s and women’s races respectively.

Visit results.finishtime.co.za for a full list of results.

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