Sounds that call to come together, and united we shall stand; this time, that sound was thousands of voices singing Shosholoza.
South Africa (09 June 2025) – One of the sounds that rose high above the crowds at the Comrades Marathon this weekend was the echo of the shared voice singing Shosholoza before the race started. The sun had not even come up yet, and crowds lit up the startline with the iconic South African song.
Thousands sang in harmony, shoulder to shoulder, lungs full of hope, nerves, and determination. It was a spine-tingling reminder that this race is more than a run; it’s a celebration of endurance, unity, and the South African spirit.
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The Comrades Marathon is known for pushing physical and mental limits. But just as powerful is how it pulls people together. On this road between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, strangers become teammates, rivals become motivators, and the crowd becomes a lifeline. Spectators don’t just watch; they cheer with heart, offering orange slices and halved bananas and heartfelt encouragement to every passing runner, elite or otherwise. In those 90+ kilometres, the divisions of everyday life melt away, replaced by a shared rhythm of willpower, sweat, and Ubuntu.
Whether it’s a helping hand during a tough hill climb, a finish-line hug between exhausted athletes or staying behind to help tidy up, the Comrades Marathon brings out the best in people. That pre-dawn chorus of Shosholoza wasn’t just a song, it was a promise: that no one runs this journey alone.
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