South African Comrades runners have made the history books for different, equally celebratory reasons. Here are some awesome record-breakers to know and be inspired by, including legend Johannes Mosehla who has become the oldest person to complete the Comrades ever!
Durban, South Africa (12 June, 2023) — It was a tenacity-filled weekend as runners from all walks of life faced the 2023 Comrades Marathon. Many South African Comrades runners had readied themselves for the race for different reasons; some to prove they could, others to prove they could again, and those who wanted to prove to people they might never meet that someone is willing to put themselves through the gruelling race to help their plight.
In the crowd were heroes, friends and record-breakers alike; three of the latter who are all South African and wrote our country into the history books.
Gerda Steyn broke the record for women’s times with a record-smashing 5:44:54, taking the Comrades champion title from Alexandra Morozova (Russia) while Tete Dijana further secured his title as Comrades legend for a second year by winning the men’s stretch with 5:13:58—another record-breaking time.
Congratulations to Gerda Steyn for winning the 96th Comrades Marathon in a best time of 05:44:54 🥳🖤💛#ThisIsIt #Ziyasha #TheUltimateHumanRace pic.twitter.com/CXHpJyTC06
— ComradesRace (@ComradesRace) June 12, 2023
Congratulations Tete Morena Dijana for winning the 96th Comrades Marathon in a best time of 05:13:58 🥳🖤💛#ThisIsIt #Ziyasha #TheUltimateHumanRace pic.twitter.com/XdVfrfTHiT
— ComradesRace (@ComradesRace) June 12, 2023
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Another record-smash came from the blazing guns of Johannes Mosehla, another South African who now wears the title of the oldest person to ever complete the Ultimate Human race at 81 years old.
Johannes Mosehla 9:26:10 oldest ever #Comrades finisher
Fordyce has said that greatest 2 Comrades runs were Frith vd Merwe’s 1989 5:54:43 record (15th overall) & 79yo Wally Hayward’s 9:44:15 in 1988. Wally returned in 1989 to set record as oldest Comrade with a 10:58:03 finish. pic.twitter.com/rY3HSeFUKv— The Running Mann (Marathons & Mischief) (@runningmann100) June 11, 2023
Beyond racing to glory, the South African Comrades runners have done something equally impressive by inspiring a nation; crossing the barriers of gender, race and age.
The 2023 Comrades were Proudly South African, something we can all root for whether we’re sports fans or simply enjoy seeing South Africans shine.
As for our running Samaritans who dedicated their footsteps and wheel strides to those in need like Graham Wells, Jonothan Maehler and Team Beastie, there’s another unofficial medal of SA pride reserved just for them.
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