The 96th Comrades Marathon proved to be a showcase of extraordinary endurance, with both seasoned athletes and unexpected heroes stealing the limelight. Among the top performers were Gerda Steyn and Johannes Maros Mosehla, each delivering awe-inspiring and record-breaking performances on race day.
South Africa‘s ultra-distance running sensation, Gerda Steyn, made history on Sunday by breaking a 34-year-old ‘down’ record in the Comrades Marathon held in Durban, South Africa. She clocked in at 5 hours, 44 minutes, and 54 seconds, shattering the long-standing mark of 5 hours, 54 minutes, and 43 seconds set by Frith van der Merwe in 1989. The race was shorter by 1.9 kilometers due to road works, but Steyn’s accomplishment remained noteworthy and well-deserved.
Another exceptional feat that stood out during the race was Johannes Maros Mosehla’s record-breaking performance in the ultra-marathon’s history. At 81 years old, Mosehla crossed the finish line at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, setting a new record as the oldest person to complete the race. He broke Comrades Marathon legend Wally Hayward’s record, who finished the race at the age of 80 in 1989 with a record time of 10 hours, 58 minutes, and 3 seconds. Mosehla’s 11-hour, 31-minute, and 27-second finish also earned him a spot in the prestigious Green Number club, having completed his 10th Comrades Marathon.
In an interview with Stuart Mann for The Running Mann, Mosehla revealed that he was in better shape this year, having qualified with a 3:51 marathon time. Starting in the ‘D’ batch, Mosehla aimed to finish the race in under 10 hours but exceeded his own expectations by crossing the finish line in an impressive 9 hours, 26 minutes, and 10 seconds – a time faster than over half of the race’s participants.
Meanwhile, Tete Dijana successfully defended his men’s title in a thrilling race, outpacing Dutch novice Piet Wiersma by just three seconds. Breaking David Getabe’s ‘down’ record set in 2016, Dijana finished the race in just 5 hours, 13 minutes, and 58 seconds.
The 96th Comrades Marathon showcased unforgettable performances and incredible human resilience, with winners and record-holders like Steyn, Mosehla, and Dijana displaying the essence of the ultimate human race. The race began at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and ended at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.
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