Annie Bothma reclaimed the SA Marathon title with a personal best at the Durban International Marathon, marking a remarkable comeback from serious health challenges.

The Dolphin Coast Striders runner finished second overall, clocking an impressive personal best of 2:27:45. Ethiopia’s Alemitu Lema took top honours in 2:26:44, breaking the women’s course record by more than three minutes.

Originally from Stellenbosch but now representing KZN after moving to Ballito seven months ago, Bothma’s performance not only secured her second national crown but also elevated her to the ninth-fastest on the all-time list of South African women marathon runners.

Her time marked a significant improvement on her previous best of 2:30:31, set when she first won the ASA Marathon title in 2023.

“It was fantastic and a really special moment to become SA champion again,” said Bothma, who trains with her father, Christo.

“I couldn’t have done this without my dad. He is incredible and this win is as much his as mine.”

The 30-year-old has suffered injury and illness and faced many challenges in the build-up to the race, describing the last few years as tumultuous.

“It’s been the most horrific period of my life. I’ve just been surviving,” she said.

Bothma lives with diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism, conditions that affect hormone production and overall health. She has also survived two serious accidents, including being struck from behind by a bakkie in the United States, and, years later, a near-fatal car crash.

In June 2024, she underwent spinal fusion surgery after enduring nearly a year of debilitating nerve pain.

In April last year, a stint in intensive care, battling infections and hyponatraemia (abnormally low sodium levels in the blood), almost killed her.

“It was the darkest period of my life – and I’ve been hit by a truck. At one stage, I could not get through a single week without severe heart palpitations. My body just would not respond.”

Forced to rebuild her strength and technique, Bothma said she had to relearn how to run after months of rehabilitation. In search of warmer weather for her health, she relocated to KZN, joining the Striders in January.

“I absolutely love Ballito,” she added.

“Everyone is so kind and supportive, and Striders is more than a club, it’s a community.”

Twenty-three more Striders finished the marathon, joined by six runners from the Mandeni Harriers and one from the Tongaat Panthers.

Follow Annie Bothma’s journey on her personal blog.