A video filmed moments before the start of the Comrades Marathon has attracted hundreds of thousands of views and sparked an outpouring of pride from South Africans around the world.
Durban, South Africa (22 June 2026) – A video filmed moments before the start of this year’s Comrades Marathon is striking a chord with South Africans around the world, capturing a scene many say perfectly reflects the spirit of both the race and the country.
The clip, shared by podcast host Mike Johnston after he completed his first Comrades Marathon, shows thousands of runners gathered at the start line singing Shosholoza together before setting off on the gruelling journey between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
In just a few days, the video racked up more than 790,000 views on Instagram, with the comments section quickly filling with messages from South Africans both at home and abroad.
It’s runners from different backgrounds standing shoulder to shoulder, singing one of South Africa’s most recognisable songs before taking on one of the country’s most iconic sporting events.
Mike filmed the moment while preparing to tackle his first Comrades Marathon on 14 June. When he shared it online the following day, he had no idea how strongly it would resonate.
Others described it as a reminder of the unique way sport has the power to bring people together in South Africa.
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