Dolphin Coast Strider cracks top 100 in Comrades Marathon silver medal finish

Dolphin Coast Striders runner Mhlengi Khowane delivered a standout performance at this year’s Comrades Marathon, finishing as the 100th-fastest male in a time of 6:26:43.

Khowane, who ran his second Comrades, carved nearly 20 minutes off his 2023 debut time, earning a coveted silver medal and solidifying his status as one of the North Coast’s most promising long-distance athletes.

“I am grateful to the Dolphin Coast Striders, the Holgate family and my close friends for supporting me in this journey,” said Khowane.

“This was my first down run and while it was challenging and I am still feeling the impact. I am proud of the results I achieved. Running is in my blood.”

His achievement was part of a strong showing from over 150 local runners, who overcame punishing conditions and 90km of gruelling tarmac, braving the cold start and searing midday heat on Sunday.

Runners included members of the Dolphin Coast Striders (140 finishers), Mandeni Harriers (13), Tongaat Panthers (6) and other locals who run for national clubs.

KwaDukuza municipality revenue management director Mthandeni Nene was our second-fastest finisher, running in Nedbank Running Club colours to a time of 7:01:17 – earning one of five local silver medals.

The remaining three silvers were all claimed by Striders.

Jean-Marc Larche’s time of 7:02:53 earned him his second silver in two attempts, while David Fick (7:22:37) and Richard Cohen (7:25:06) were thrilled to claim their first silvers on their fourth and fifth attempts respectively.

Stuart Hill came agonisingly close to taking home his second silver medal, missing the 7:30 cut-off by just 24 seconds.

“In an excellent show of performance and guts, the Dolphins did our town proud.

We had runners scattered throughout the field from Mhlengi to 11:59 finisher Julia Thompson,” said Striders’ club captain and finisher, Nic Acampora.

“We certainly made a splash by showcasing our new club kit and our support tables were a constant envy for other runners on the course. Another wonderful year for our club at the Comrades.”

Beyond speed, the Comrades is also a singular test of endurance and consistency – awarding green numbers to runners who have completed 10 editions of the race.

Billy Mokoena from the Striders, Avinesh Seetharam from the Panthers and Amos Ntombela from the Harriers all joined that elite club this year with their 10th medals.

They joined the Striders’ Colin Goosen (43 finishes), Leon van Moerkerken (34), Vulindlele Zweni (26), Warwick Taylor (26), Siboniso Mpanza (23), Debbie Holland (22), Sibusiso Jali (19), Thembile Qhaniso (18), Joseph Mashele (15), Earl Donnelly (12), Pasma Gumede (12), Julia Thompson (12), Graeme Hall (11) and Benjamin Kilian (11), along with the Panthers’ Devandran Reddy (22), as this year’s double-digit finishers.

South Africans claimed both overall titles at the top end of the race, with Gerda Steyn taking her fourth win and Tete Dijana securing his third.

Meanwhile, 74-year-old Louis Massyn became the first runner to complete 50 Comrades and 83-year-old Johannes Mosehla became the oldest ever finisher.

For a full list of results, visit comrades.com.

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