As a Comrades runner battled to get through the last push before cut-offs, a stranger made sure she would not be left behind.
Durban, South Africa (12 June, 2023) — Amid the record breakers and change makers at the Comrades Marathon on Sunday, a pair of strangers paced onto public radars. Though they may have finished last, South Africans agree that their moment finished first in kindness.
As Siphiwe Dludla struggled to get through the last push—not for lack of determination— a stranger named Jaypee Synman went out of his way to make sure Siphiwe wasn’t left behind and conquered the beast she’d come so far toward.
Noticing her struggle, Jaypee asked a few questions and instinctively decided to run with her right to the end, offering her both physical and kindred support.
Officially, the pair were the final medalists to make the 12-hour cut-off time, but that might not have been the case if Jaypee hadn’t virtually glued himself to Siphiwe’s hip, becoming her comrade.
Both have tackled the Ultimate Human Race before, but this year Siphiwe encountered a lot of pain despite her will to get to the finish.
WATCH: Comrades to the End!
“I will never forget Jaypee. He will always be my friend. He has done so much for me,” Siphiwe shared of the stranger’s kindness per News24.
Just like Siphiwe, it seems like South Africans won’t soon forget either:
Jaypee Snyman is South Africa’s hero right now. What a legend!! #comrades pic.twitter.com/XM2Kw00MU7
— Dave Wessels (@DaveWessels) June 11, 2023
That Jaypee Snyman and Siphiwe Dludla moment is a reminder that there is still good in this world. #ComradesMarathon2023
— Unarine Ramaru (@Unvrine) June 11, 2023
What a finish 🥺
Not All Heroes Wear Capes 🙌🏽
JAYPEE SNYMAN JOU LEGEND 🥇
Comrades 2024 training starts tomorrow 🤭#Ziyasha #comradesmarathon #comradesmarathon2023 #SundayRunday #ultimatehumanrace pic.twitter.com/slkem0mE1W
— Audrin Van Schoor (@audas_vanschoor) June 11, 2023
The pair of the hour reminded us all what the Comrades is actually about (if the marathon’s title wasn’t clue enough) as a proudly South African moment for all of us.