The Ultimate Human Race drew thousands of spectators and supporters from all backgrounds cheering on the runners hoping to complete their own Comrades journey.
Molato Tsunyane and Sannyboy Seleko claimed their seventh Comrades Marathon medals on Sunday.
THIS year’s Comrades Marathon attracted a record field of 22 677 qualifying entrants for the 49th Down Run.
As always, The Ultimate Human Race drew thousands of spectators and supporters from all backgrounds cheering on the runners hoping to complete their own Comrades journey.
This year, for the first time in the history of the Comrades, there was a staggered race start in an effort to reduce congestion on the course.
Comrades Marathon Association general manager Alain Dalais said they had received a lot of positive feedback about the new street finish outside People’s Park at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“I would like to congratulate all the runners who took part in today’s race, from Tete Dijane and Gerda Steyn to the final finishers in the last hour, from the novices tackling their first Comrades Marathon and those earning their Back-to-Back medals, to the Yellow Number Runners completing their 10th and earning their Green Numbers, and all the way to Louis Massyn, finishing his 50th and becoming the first athlete ever to reach this incredible Quintuple Green Number milestone.
“On behalf of the Comrades Marathon Association, we hope that you enjoyed your race experience, and we look forward to welcoming you back to The Ultimate Human Race next year, when we once again take on the challenge of the Up Run,” he said.
Thulani Nhlapo rounds the corner with 2km to go. He finished in a time of 07:24:24 earning himself a Silver medal.Edison Fulane looks strong as he nears the finish line at the People’s Park near Moses Mabhida Stadium.Ireland’s Jennifer Elvin claimed a silver medal in her first Comrades Marathon.Simbongile Jwacu leads a group of runners as he nears the finish line.Greenstone Hill Running Club’s Trevor Salzwedel claimed his fifth Comrades Medal.Desmond Ngcobo is on course to claim his 17th medal and Jonathan Tyler from the UK is on his way to claim his first medal.Arouchelle Nieuwenhuis looks strong in the final stretch.Kebogile Motshabi claimed her second medal on the day.Zona Joyi was vocal in her support for runners on the day.Johan van der Mewe and Ziyanda Matsawe battle through the intense heat at the finish stretch.Godfrey Nxumalo leads the way and behind him is Elizabeth Potter and Sibongiseni Ndezku.From Comrades runners to supporters, Sewele Maponya, Khanya Mokoena, Catherine Monja and Ntombifuthi Monja support runners at the end.Elijah Mantshi on his way to claim his eighth Comrades Marathon medal.Lesabetse Mametja and Lindokuhle Tseku at the 2km to go mark.Jeren Seegers and Raymond Wagener.Jane Makgetlaneng is ready to support her husband who was aiming for his fourth Comrades Marathon medal.Steve Osenge and Lungile Gwala say they were supporting everyone on the Comrades course.Bradley Fleming and Lise Vogt.Savages Athletics Club member Manuela Diener is all smiles as she nears the finish line.Pinetown & Distric Athletics Club member Ferne Kalamer.India’s Yogesh Satav.Prince Mafowane, Skhumbuzo Mthombeni and Sbonelo Mngadi near the finish line.Westville Athletics Club member Lloyd Sithole on his way to claim his eighth medal.Bradly Houston finished in a time of 07:49:58 for his sixth medal and is shadowed by Mark Dingle who claimed his 11th medal.Trail walker Mike Gahagan walked from Pinetown to the finish line to cheer on the runners.Makhosi Memezi and Sibahle Memezi are vocal with their support for runners.Lesotho’s Dennis Moholane salutes the crowd.Timothy Makamu, who ran the Comrades in a skirt, finished in a time of 8:29:35.Ayabonga Cele was near the finish line with her siblings and father.Johannes Jacobus Joubert is there to support his son, Jacobus Joubert from Middleburg. Jacobus was doing his first Comrades Marathon for his daughters who were writing exams and could not make it to Durban.Komborero Mwenyendiani (Zimbabwe), Tatenda Chitsike (Zimbabwe) and Tanaka Kashanga have a casual conversation as they near the finish line.Mandla Mbonani and Ziningi Ndlovu ease into the final 2km of the marathon.Former Comrades Marathon winner Shaun Meiklejohn on his way to claim his 33rd medalFaku Chiefs Athletics Club member Jody Taylor makes his way to the finish at this year’s Comrades Marathon.Jo Mackenzie on her way to complete her 11th Comrades Marathon.Darren Rossouw and Matthew Mutch both won a Bill Rowan Medal in a time of 08:23:44 and 08:23:45 time respectively.Sithembiso Mbucane won a Bill Rowan Medal.Angela Dell of the Nedbank Running Club Western Province finished in a time of 08:31:33.Hayley Pogir of the Maverick Athletic Club and Leonard Masango of Team Vitality Club both completed his seventh Comrades Marathon.Andre Louis from the Wings Athletics Club gets a helping hand from his seconder as he nears the finish.
Shiraz has been a community journalist for the last 12 years and has a specific interest in everything sports. He holds a Bachelor of Arts undergrad degree and honours degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal where he majored in Communications, Anthropology and English.
