Latest news with #MoiraHarding
IOL News
04-07-2025
- IOL News
Comrades runner Moira Harding rules out return to Comrades next year following harrowing ordeal
Moira Harding, was found on Mahatma Gandhi (formerly Point) Road in Durban on Monday morning after going missing on Sunday June 8. Image: Comrades Marathon Facebook page While Moira Harding, the Comrades Marathon runner who went missing after completing the 2025 instalment of the Ultimate Human Race last month, is happy to be alive, she confirmed to IOL that she has no plans to return to run the gruelling race again next year. Moira has since returned to Cape Town where she is recovering. Three weeks ago, IOL was the first news outlet to report that the 54-year-old runner had gone missing. At the time, IOL reported that Harding completed the race just before 5pm and had not been seen since. This kicked off a massive search for the 54-year-old Kommetjie runner. Moira Harding completed the race in close to 11 hours. Image: Facebook Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Hours later, Harding was found near the Point Waterfront area, thanks to the ICE or In Case of Emergency bracelet she had around her wrist. Workers who found her were able to contact Harding's husband and the necessary emergency services attended to her. Garrith Jamieson of ALS Paramedics said paramedics, police, and Metro Police were called to the scene where Harding was found in a critical condition. She was airlifted to a hospital in uMhlanga. In a post on her social media, Harding thanked all those who helped search for her. "I went missing at the end of the Comrades Marathon and was found 15 hours later, unconscious and unresponsive due to severe dehydration and extremely low sodium levels resulting in disorientation and delirium," she explained. Harding said the prayers of those who supported and prayed for her carried her through one of the toughest moments of her life. "A special, heartfelt thanks to the people who found me and alerted the emergency services, to Brigadier Saunders, the police teams and staff at Netcare uMhlanga, I couldn't have wished for better care or more compassionate professionals. You saved my life," Harding said. Harding further shared a special tribute to her husband, children and family who searched high and low for her. Advanced Life Support Paramedics treated Moira Harding on scene before she was airlifted to hospital Image: ALS Paramedics
The South African
02-07-2025
- Health
- The South African
Comrades runner Moira Harding: 'I'm home and recovering well'
One of the most intense stories to emerge from this year's Comrades marathon was the story of runner Moira Harding, who went missing after completing the ultramarathon in Durban, before eventually being found more than 12 hours later in a critical condition. The 54-year-old was found in a hypothermic condition after battling nclement weather conditions throughout the night, and had to be urgently airlifted to hospital, where she spent the next couple of weeks undergoing intensive treatment. Towards the end of June, The South African revealed that Harding had made encouraging recovery progress and was set to be discharged from hospital. In an emotional personal message posted on a runners community group, she has shared a debt of gratitude to all those who assisted, supported and cared for her during 'one of the toughest moments' of her life. 'I would like to sincerely thank all those who supported me and prayed for me when I went missing at the end of the Comrades Marathon and was found 15 hours later, unconscious and unresponsive due to severe dehydration and extremely low sodium levels resulting in disorientation and delirium,' she shared. 'Your love and prayers carried me through one of the toughest moments of my life.' Harding went on to issue a 'heartfelt' thank you to all the responders, emergency services, medical staff, athletics club members, family, friends and others who had assisted in one way or another. 'Most importantly, all praise to my Lord and Saviour for protecting me throughout this ordeal, and for healing me,' she shared. 'Without Him this recovery would not have been possible. I am now home and recovering well, and I look forward to the journey ahead with renewed strength and gratitude.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
24-06-2025
- The South African
Update: The 'miracle' of Comrades runner Moira Harding
Earlier this month the South African community at large was gripped by the story of Comrades runner Moira Harding, who was reported missing after completing the ultramarathon in Durban, before eventually being found more than 12 hours later in a critical condition. The 54-year-old was largely unresponsive, in a critical condition and hypothermic when she was found by construction workers after battling some inclement weather conditions throughout the night. Harding was found near the National Sea Rescue Institute base in The Point area of Durban, and was quickly airlifted to a hospital in Umhlanga where she has received extensive treatment for dehydration, hypothermia and other related conditions. After lengthy periods under sedation, the latest information gathered by The South African reveals that Harding has made encouraging recovery progress, and should be discharged from hospital this week. One of the mysteries that has remained is just how Harding ended up so far from the finish at the People's Park in Durban, although there have been some suggestions that the chaotic, crowded and poorly controlled finish could have contributed to her being led astray. However, Harding had fortunately been wearing an 'in case of emergency' (ICE) bracelet with her emergency contact details when she was found, apparently lying on her back near Durban's harbour. In the latest update, it's believed that Harding walked as far as an additional 10km after the run, but despite passing through a Durban area that is known to be dangerous – particularly at night – she was said to have been found unharmed and without any valuable belongings missing. It's understood that Harding in fact walked in circles, seemingly disoriented, for quite some time before collapsing just a short distance away from the edge of the harbour water. The manner in which she was found, as well as her recovery from a critical condition, has been described as a 'miracle', with Harding soon expected to begin her rehabilitation out of hospital. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
20-06-2025
- Politics
- News24
Edgar Lungu funeral feud; State lottery alarm: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. Saxonwold shebeen on sale: Opulence, neglect and the bitter legacy of the Guptas - The Gupta's Saxonwold compound, once a symbol of state capture and lavish wealth, now stands abandoned and decaying, revealing remnants of luxury and hasty departure. - The properties, featuring opulent amenities like spas and cinemas, are up for auction after years of legal battles, with proceeds going to creditors. - The state of the compound reflects the Guptas' fall from power and serves as a reminder of the authorities' failure to bring them to justice for their role in state capture. ALS Paramedics/Supplied Missing Comrades Marathon runner was among dozens hospitalised after race - Moira Harding, a Comrades Marathon runner who went missing for 15 hours after the race, was among 37 runners hospitalised. - Harding has been discharged from the hospital but has no memory of getting lost and is undergoing treatment for a chest infection and occupational therapy. - Race organisers and doctors noted an above-average number of runners requiring medical assistance, potentially due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, exhaustion, and a disorganised finish area. NSFAS advised to scrap deals worth R1.3bn with IT firms amid student housing crisis - NSFAS paid more than R1.3 billion to four unaccredited IT companies to disburse student accommodation payments, leading to a student housing crisis. - A legal opinion advises NSFAS to cancel the contracts due to irregularities, including the IT companies' lack of financial service provider status and failure to properly manage the online portal. - The student housing crisis has resulted in unsafe living conditions, non-payment issues, and students allegedly trading sex for accommodation, prompting Rental Housing Tribunal hearings. Philippe Wojazer/pool/AFP Zambia's Hichilema apologises to Ramaphosa for drama over return of Lungu's body - Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema apologised to President Cyril Ramaphosa for delays in repatriating former president Edgar Lungu's body, caused by tensions between Lungu's family and the Zambian government over funeral arrangements. - Lungu's family halted the repatriation, accusing the government of sidelining them in decision-making, despite earlier agreements and preparations for a state funeral in Zambia. - Hichilema declared the national mourning period over, urging unity and calm, while the South African government will continue to hold Lungu's remains until the dispute is resolved. Alarm raised over plans for state-run lottery - The South African government plans to nationalise the lottery when the current operator's licence expires in 2034, requiring the new Sizekhaya Consortium to help develop state skills and infrastructure. - Critics warn that a state-run lottery could increase corruption, citing past financial mismanagement in parastatals and government entities. - The Request for Proposals for the new licence mandates that bidders support the state in developing the capacity to operate the lottery, including transferring technology rights. Paul Harding/Gallo Images Proteas Test captain Bavuma ruled out of Zimbabwe series - Temba Bavuma is out of the Test series against Zimbabwe due to a hamstring injury sustained in the World Test Championship final. - Keshav Maharaj will captain the Proteas in Bavuma's absence for the two matches in Bulawayo. - Several key players are being rested, while Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Lesego Senokwane received their first Test call-ups. DRIVEN | Hyundai enters new energy vehicle tango in SA with fresh Sante Fe Hybrid SUV - Hyundai SA has introduced its first hybrid vehicle, the Sante Fe Hybrid seven-seater SUV, despite having successful electric cars in global markets. - The Sante Fe Hybrid features a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor, offering a total output of 175kW and 367Nm, along with various safety and convenience technologies. - Priced at R1 249 900, the Sante Fe Hybrid Elite AWD comes with a seven-year/200 000km warranty and an eight-year/160 000km warranty for the hybrid battery pack.
TimesLIVE
15-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Comrades runner Moira Harding's finish could easily have ended in tragedy, says Point resident
The Comrades Marathon Association insists this year's street finish is not related to Cape Town runner Moira Harding's disappearance but will review criticism about congestion and chaos outside People's Park in Durban. Harding, 54, was reported missing when her family couldn't find her after she finished the 89km ultra-marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban at 4.52pm last Sunday, sparking a wide-scale search by family, friends and police. The search continued well into the night and resumed in the early hours of Monday until her husband, Daryl was contacted at about 7am by authorities to say she had been found near the NSRI base on Point Road — 6.9km away — in 'a critical state'. ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said she was 'conscious but very confused from the cold and all that she went through'. Harding was airlifted to Umhlanga hospital and sedated for several days while doctors treated her for hypothermia. Police confirmed she was found with no visible injuries, something Ongezwa Sidumo who lives on Point road said could easily have ended tragically. 'The Point area, and the south beach area as a whole, is a dangerous place for anyone, but more so for a woman wandering by herself at night. It has long been known for its crimes such as robberies and kidnappings. I've also been a victim of robbery by the vagrants, but it's not only them committing crime, even seemingly normal people driving beautiful cars,' she said. 'There's also a lot of prostitution, and those girls can attack you if you're a woman they don't know and think you're working in their territory. The municipality has improved the area massively recently, and police visibility has increased massively, but the challenges can't be resolved overnight.' It is believed that Harding became disoriented after the run and, in the confusion of the finish, couldn't find her way to the meeting spot she had arranged with her family. She then wandered off and got lost. Gauteng surgical gastroenterologist and hepato-biliary surgeon Dr Avishkar Gurunand, who shares a keen interest in exercise, said there are dangers associated with over exertion for athletes who participate in an event like the Comrades Marathon, including cardiovascular pathology that may be symptomatic of the effects of prolonged exercise, electrolyte disturbances, muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) and dehydration. 'The human body is robust enough to handle significant physiological stress. The concern is that prolonged high-intensity activity can unmask underlying cardiovascular disease and, in rare circumstances, with fatal consequences.' 'These can be largely combated by adequate fluid intake and electrolyte replacement during the time of exercise and afterwards, but if unchecked, this can lead to renal failure, cardiac arrhythmias and a delirious state — all of which are medical emergencies, he added. Police said they would await a medical report that would determine the next course of action. According to media reports, Harding's sister, Fiona Baldwin, said she is recovering well in hospital and is awake and speaking. Baldwin slammed marathon organisers for the race's 'chaotic and poorly controlled ending'. She told reporters the chaos at the finish line may have played a role in Harding's disappearance. Unlike in previous years when the finish line down run was either the Moses Mabhida Stadium or the Kingsmead stadium, the 98th edition had a street finish line, ending at Masabalala Yengwa street near People's Park.
