Latest news with #UltimateHumanRace
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Vryheid Athletic Club celebrates Comrades Marathon heroes
The spirit of endurance and determination was alive and well during the Comrades Marathon weekend, when several runners from Vryheid Athletic Club (VAC) proudly represented their town. The ultra-marathon, stretching approximately 87km from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, tested the physical and mental limits of runners from across the country, and Vryheid's local athletes did not disappoint. Among those who completed the 'Ultimate Human Race' were: Siyanda Mncube – 10:42:42 (bronze medal); Jaco Booysen – 11:56:40 (Vic Clapham medal); Simphiwe Buthelezi – 09:58:52 (Robert Mtshali medal); Paula Smal – 10:55:09 (bronze medal and received her green number); Ntokozo P Mbatha – 10:28:10 (bronze medal); Carla Muller – 11:02:38 (Vic Clapham medal); Amanda Vergottini – 11:18:05 (Vic Clapham medal); Jabulani Ndwandwe – 11:56:32 (Vic Clapham medal); Hlobisile Madida – 10:14:57 (bronze medal); Vlam de Beer – 09:51:34 (Robert Mtshali medal); Andrea de Beer – 09:51:33 (Robert Mtshali medal); Tholiwe Hlope – 12:01:07 (UOF); Michelle Baeta – 11:40:32 (Vic Clapham medal); PJ du Toit – 10:24:16 (bronze medal); Samantha Johannes – 11:02:38 (Vic Clapham medal); Ruzelle Grobbelaar – 11:39:47 (Vic Clapham medal); Duvan Grobbelaar – 11:56:33 (Vic Clapham medal). Some were first-timers, while others added another medal to their collection. But the Vryheid Athletic Club captain Amanda Vergottini says that they all shared the sense of camaraderie and resilience it takes to conquer Comrades. To help the community understand just how impressive these achievements are, here's a breakdown of the Comrades Marathon medal system: Gold – top 10 finishers; Wally Hayward – Sub-six hours (not in top 10) for top veteran amateurs; Silver – 6:00:01 to 7:29:59 (very strong club level performance); Bill Rowan – 7:30:00 to 8:59:59 (solid sub-nine hour effort); Bronze – 9:00:00 to 10:59:59 (most common medal); Vic Clapham – 11:00:00 to 12:00:00 (official finish before cut-off). The club has become a beacon for local runners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned athletes. With their latest achievements, these Comrades finishers are not only inspiring other members but are also encouraging more locals to put on their tekkies and get moving. You made Vryheid proud! ALSO READ: Bongani sets the pace at Comrades Marathon The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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
IOL News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Why Lebo Phalula feels the Comrades Marathon isn't for elite athletes
Lebo Phalula after the Cape Town leg of the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge earlier this year, where she finished fifth. Image: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Veteran distance runner Lebo Phalula says that running the Comrades Marathon is the furthest thing from her mind, insisting the renowned ultra-marathon is for social runners. The evergreen 41-year-old has been a prominent figure in South African athletics for decades, alongside her twin sister Lebogang, and she is showing no sign of slowing down. On Sunday, she was the first veteran runner home in the Durban leg of the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge, clocking a time of 36:19, despite recently recovering from swine flu. The race was won by fellow Boxer Athletics Club runner Glenrose Xaba (31:54). While she finished outside the top 10 this time, Phalula has enjoyed an impressive season so far, continuing to outrun some of South Africa's top young road-running talent. The highlight to date was a remarkable third-place finish in the Absa Run Your City race in Cape Town in May. She also secured fifth place in the opening Cape Town leg of the SPAR Grand Prix. Well-known twin sisters Lebogang and Lebo Phalula will not be seen together on the road for a while. Image: RAJESH JANTILAL Yet, taking part in the Ultimate Human Race is still regarded as folly by the runner known for her sharp tongue and devilish sense of humour. 'I think Comrades is for social runners. I'm an elite athlete, I'm not a social runner. I can't run 90km from six to six. I'm mentally okay upstairs,' she said, to howls of laughter from the gathered media at the post-race briefing in Durban. 'I'm not saying they are mentally disturbed, but Comrades is for social runners, not elite athletes.' Playing the long game Phalula suggested that she owed her longevity in the sport to the fact that she avoided the ultra-marathons. 'I've been running since I was a sub-youth. If you check, all those people who have been winning Comrades, they've got 10 years of running. They started now-now,' she said. 'Do you think I can run that thing at this age and think I'm going to win Comrades? My body is tired. I don't have the energy to run from six to six. I only run now for 30 minutes, then I'm done. 'This thing of running Comrades and the Two Oceans Marathon ... no, no, no. I'm mentally okay.' Another South African running legend, Zola Budd-Pieterse, had apparently expressed the desire to run the Ultimate Human Race at age 50 (she is now 58), after repeated questions about it. There were even suggestions that she would run this year's race, but that came to nought. Phalula was asked if that could also be a goal for her at the same age. 'Even if I'm a 100, I will never,' she said. 'This thing is not for elite athletes — it's for people who started running now. People who didn't do their sub-youth running, world juniors, and world cross-country champs. Those people who don't have those major events — they've only got Comrades and Two Oceans.' Even the massive prize money on offer is not enough to tempt the diminutive ace. This year's Comrades women's race winner, Gerda Steyn, reportedly pocketed over R1.6 million in prize money alone. An uphill battle 'I've been running since I was young. I know what I want in life. Those Comrades people are not serious. I don't want to lie, I can't run for 90km and run 10km uphill or 3km climbing a hill. It's not in my mind,' Phalula insisted. Phalula seems to be enjoying life in the absence of her equally famous sister, who is set to return to the circuit in August after giving birth. But what about her long-term plans? Is she considering retirement any time soon? 'I thought I had two years left before retiring to focus on the athletes I'm training. But I still run like a youngster, so it's not going to be easy for me to retire now,' Phalula said. 'You're still going to see more of Phalula evergreen, as you all say.' Her immediate goal is to recover fully before targeting a sub-32-minute time in the remaining 10km road races this year.
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Gerda Steyn's love for the Comrades shines through in her latest victory
Gerda Steyn has now won three consecutive Comrades after her latest victory this past Sunday. | Sibonelo Ngcobo Independent Media Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo Independent Media Gerda Steyn is hoping to extend her Comrades Marathon love affair as long as her body allows it, fans of the darling of SA road running – and the Ultimate Human Race in particular – will be delighted to hear. Her love for the Comrades was evident once again as the 'Smiling Assassin' sprinkled her infectious fairy dust all along the route on her way to a third title in a row in Sunday's down run. It was definitely reciprocated at the finish line on the streets outside People's Park in Durban. The chants of "Gerda! Gerda! Gerda!" grew ever louder as the diminutive road running star drew closer to the finish. 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 The cheers that greeted her when she breasted the tape in the 98th edition of the race were arguably among the loudest on the day, with hundreds of delirious well-wishers banging on the advertising hoardings lining the finish in a celebratory cacophony. Gerda responded by waving at her adoring fans, the ever-present smile lighting up her face despite being in obvious pain. She had to dig deep at the end of the race, but pulled through in typical fashion, carried to victory by the raucous support. 'It was an amazing feeling so close to the finish line,' she told Independent Media, after the race. "You've run for many, many hours and trained for many, many months and then finally to get to the finishing straight knowing that you're going to break the tape, is a moment that's difficult to explain in words." Steyn made her observations as a special guest of detergent brand OMO's Stay Unbeatable campaign. 'This race stands out for me even more above the other Comrades that I've done. Every year it just feels like it gets bigger and more special and it creeps even deeper under my skin.' The 35-year-old Steyn crossed the finish line in 5:51:10, to bag her fourth title, following her maiden victory back in 2019. Russia's Alexandra Morozova, a former winner, finished in second (5:55:56). Fellow South African Tete Dijana won the men's race. With the job done for another year, SA's ultramarathon queen is looking forward to putting her feet up. 'When it comes to my diet, I have to be strict and particular when I'm training and before a race as well. So, I definitely look forward to treating myself a little bit after the race. 'If there's two items that stand out for me, what I'm looking forward to the most, perhaps a glass of red wine and a big ice cream,' she revealed. 'Normally the dust settles after about a week and after that I will definitely be enjoying a nice break both for the body and for the mind. I plan to spend it with friends and family and just relax and get strong for the next challenge.' Steyn revealed she is hoping to run another marathon at the end of the year, while being wary of overextending herself. Gerda Steyn added to her growing Comrades domination on Sunday. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers 'It is always tempting because there's so many amazing races around the country and around the world. So, it's difficult to say no to many races – I love racing – but for me I've seen in the past it works really well if I plan my racing calendar with about three races a year,' she said. 'I'm hoping to run the Soweto Marathon because I've never done that before.' None of the races will ever take the place of the Ultimate Human Race in Gerda's heart, however. 'Comrades, to me, means so much more than a race. It's where I found my passion for running and my passion in life as well.
eNCA
08-06-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Thousands set off on ultimate human race
PIETERMARITZBURG - The 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon is here. This is a 49th Down Run, starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishing 12 hours later at Durban's People's Park, covering approximately 89km. As always, the Ultimate Human Race sees both professional athletes gunning for the win and thousands of members of the public who want to test their capabilities.
