Latest news with #ComradesMarathons
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sheffield runner completes iconic Washie 100-miler
Sheffield's Wayne Simmons was one of just 89 runners to finish the legendary Washie 100 Miler super ultra-marathon in the Eastern Cape last weekend (July 12-13). The 47th edition of the race saw 107 athletes, including 64 novices, set off from Cathcart Country Club at 5pm on Friday. By 7pm on Saturday, 89 runners had completed the gruelling 161.4km route to the Buffalo Road Runners Club in East London, all within the strict 26-hour time limit. Simmons (39) was the North Coast's sole entrant, finishing 37th overall in a time of 22:36:42. He completed the race on just 35 minutes of sleep over a 35-hour period. 'It is the most brutal thing I have ever done, harder than the Comrades and Ironman,' said Simmons. A veteran of 11 Comrades Marathons (90km) and two full Ironman (226.3km) triathlons, Simmons described the Washie as a long-time dream fulfilled. Founded in 1977 by East London runners seeking a challenge longer than the Comrades, the race follows World Athletics and Athletics South Africa rules. While no formal qualification is required, entrants must be at least 20 years old. Simmons said the toughest part of the race was between 11pm and 5am, running in freezing darkness with only his headlamp's 'light bubble' to guide him through the winding hills of the rural Eastern Cape. 'It was seven degrees (Celsius), and I began falling asleep, so I stopped for a quick nap in the car before setting off again with a half-hour walk to get back in the zone.' Representing Westville Athletics Club, Simmons credited his support team – wife Romy, mother Gayle and her partner Brandon Jackson – for getting him through the challenge. 'It was a team effort. I couldn't have done it without them. They were all machines, driving, running and walking every step of the way with me.' Romy described the event as both gruelling and unforgettable: 'It takes an enormous amount of courage, grit and determination to complete a race like that. It was a privilege to witness him achieve this personal goal,' she said. Event manager Sian O'Keeffe added: 'Conquering this distance is tough; the mental strength needed is immense.' Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
The General's decade of dedication in the Comrades Marathon
Midrand sportsman Victor 'The General' Malinga earned the prestigious legendary green number on June 8, after completing 10 consecutive Comrades Marathons over a decade. Read more: Midrand Striders celebrates 97% success rate at Comrades Marathon 2025 'I believe I was born unique with many talents, and I always wanted to do something major in my life of sports. Something that will be recognised in the world of sports, which will do justice to my God-given talents and inspire a lot of people in the process,' he stated. The 41-year-old member of the Chillie Running Club began his Comrades journey in 2014 with the Eskom Athletic Club, where he secured a bronze medal with an impressive time of 10:27:54. His personal best in the Comrades Marathon sits at 08:40:02, earning him the esteemed Bill Rowan Medal. As a proud KZN-born athlete, The General grew up immersed in the culture of the Comrades Marathon, a cornerstone of life's experiences in KZN. While soccer was his initial focus, and he achieved considerable success from junior through senior levels, his dream of running the Comrades Marathon was always in sight, officially realised in 2014. 'My wish was always to get to a point where I get crowned as the Legend of the Game, which eventually happened on June 8 during Comrades Marathon 2025,' he explained. Reflecting on his decade-long journey, Malinga acknowledges it was fraught with challenges – both good and bad. Over the years, he faced injuries, career-related relocations, and the loss of loved ones, including his parents. Nevertheless, he persevered and emerged victorious. For more inspiring insights into Victor Malinga's journey, read the Midrand Reporter. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Gerda Steyn taking time off in UK, but still more to come from the Smiling Assassin in 2025
TAKING TIME OFF Gerda Steyn, after a successful season winning the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons, is enjoying a summer break in the UK but is set to compete in a major race later this year, likely aiming to reclaim her South African women's marathon record at the Valencia Marathon. Picture: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Following another incredible season of road running in South Africa in which Gerda Steyn won both the Two Oceans Marathon and Comrades Marathon titles, the Smiling Assassin is finally taking some well-deserved time off. Currently spending time in what should be the warmer climbs of the UK in summer, Steyn is still coming down from the high of winning her fourth Comrades Marathon title on June 8. It was also her third consecutive title at 'The Ultimate Human Race'. Though Steyn was enjoying the warmer weather abroad, she hinted on Facebook she would still be running another major race before the year is out.
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Roodies runner completes 30th Comrades
Finishing the Comrades Marathon is an achievement in itself, but Johan Breydenbach from Roodepoort Athletics Club has taken this feat to unprecedented heights, earning a remarkable 30th medal in this iconic ultra-marathon on Sunday, June 8. The 60-year-old made his way to the finish line in an impressive time of 10:56:15, a full two hours before the 12-hour cut-off time. Johan's Comrades journey began in 1985 when he was just 20 years old, running under the South African Police Services Athletics Club. He took a short break and joined the Roodepoort Athletics Club in 1999 and has since completed 24 consecutive Comrades Marathons. Also read: Roodies host braai-send off for Comrades athletes His dedication and hard work have earned him a permanent green number with three laurel leaves (one laurel for 10-19 finishes, two for 20-29, and three for 30 or more), symbolising his incredible achievements. 'Comrades is my passion, and it's a lifestyle that I have dedicated myself to,' Johan says. 'Anyone who runs and finishes the Comrades can tell you what an incredible feat it is to make it to the finish line. I'm thankful to God that at my age, I'm still able to use the talent and skills of running that He gave me.' Receiving his permanent green number holds great significance to him, not just as a personal achievement but also as a family legacy. 'What's also special is that it can be used within the family, but I've told my grandkids that anyone who wishes to run with my number must be dedicated and needs to run 30 Comrades,' he shared. With a personal best time of 09:45:00 and a collection of mostly bronze and platinum medals, his goal is to complete 35 comrades. 'I will thereafter decide if I want to continue or not.' Johan's advice to novice runners is ,'You can do anything that you put your mind to.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘I never gave up': Springs SAPS officer earns coveted Green Number at Comrades Marathon
The Springs SAPS and the local CPF congratulated four of their officers who participated in the 2025 Comrades Marathon in Durban. Captain Sagathavan Pather, Constable Halalisani Dlomo, Sergeant Jabulani Nkwinka, and Sergeant Mmeselane Ramoshu represented the station on Sunday. Pather was running his 15th Comrades Marathon and had already completed 10 races. This year, he was awarded the prestigious Green Number, given to runners who complete 10 Comrades Marathons. Pather told the publication that he was happy with his achievement and that his team was there to share in the moment. He said his running journey began in 1993, but he gave up and only returned in 2000. That year, he ran the Comrades but did not finish, which demotivated him. He made another attempt in 2010, but again failed to complete the race. 'My dad is the one who got my brothers and me into running. But because there were so many of us, he couldn't afford running shoes for all of us, so we ran barefoot. I always told myself that I would finish one day, and I never gave up on that dream of getting a medal,' he said. Pather returned in 2011, determined to earn a medal — and that year, he completed his first Comrades Marathon, finishing in 11 hours and 43 minutes. He said that getting the Green Number had been his goal since the day he returned in 2011. Despite the challenges and doubts he faced along the way, Pather said: 'Getting the Green Number is like reaching a new milestone. My aim was just to get one and be done. But the next day, I woke up saying, 'I need to get another Green Number,' because I've seen people older than me achieving them.' Pather was the first officer in Springs to participate in the marathon in 2011, which led him to recruit other officers to follow suit. He said that officers would often ask what he did to stay fit, and he would encourage them to run. Pather added that balancing work, training, and a social life is difficult, but discipline is key. ALSO CHECK: VLU-lede hoor van die verskil tussen mans en vroue by maandelikse vergadering 'We were fortunate to have a management team that understood our love for running. When I asked for time to train, there was some hesitation, but in the end, we were lucky to get Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays off,' he said. One of the officers recruited by Pather was Sergeant Ramoshu. Ramoshu joined the Comrades in 2022 and earned his first bronze medal. He said he became part of the team after he hung up his boots following many years of playing soccer. 'Soccer was my main sport, but at the age of 45, I realised the younger players were too fast for me. I stopped playing but noticed I was gaining weight. I started using our fitness facility, and that's when I was told there was a running club. I joined soon after,' said Ramoshu. Ramoshu earned his first Bill Rowan medal (silver) on Sunday after finishing in his personal best time of eight hours, 56 minutes. He said that when he saw his time, he couldn't believe it because he hadn't expected to achieve that goal. He added that Dlomo was beside him most of the way, but he had to pick up the pace to secure the medal. 'When I got the medal, I was so happy. It made me realise that my new goal is to earn only silver medals from now on,' said Ramoshu. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
