Archived News
2019
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OBITUARY – DAVE BARRON
The Comrades Marathon Association is saddened by news of the death of former Comrades volunteer, life member and runner, Dave Barron. He was 79 years old. As a member of Collegians Harriers Running... -
AMABEADIBEADI CHARITIES NEWS
OFFICIAL CHARITIES – APPLICATION PROCESS The CMA has called on charitable organisations to submit applications for designation as Official Comrades Marathon Amabeadibeadi Charities for the period... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY LOUIS MASSYN
MY 1ST COMRADES MEDAL “My running career started in 1973, the year in which I ran my first Comrades Marathon which also happened to be the first race I had ever participated in. It all started with me... -
HAVE YOU RUN INTO COVID-19 RECENTLY OR STAYED IN THE CLEAR?
In the interests of Comrades runners health and wellbeing, Comrades Race Doctor, Dr Jeremy Boulter has recommended that athletes participate in the SEMLI international research study in... -
COMRADES MARATHON THANKS BONITAS
Comrades Marathon thanks Bonitas for its long-term sponsorship The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has thanked Bonitas Medical Fund for serving as a major sponsor to The Ultimate Human Race for the... -
OBITUARY - JOHN COHEN (RACE NUMBER 191)
The Comrades Marathon Association is saddened by news of the death of former Comrades runner and athletics administrator, John Cohen, last week. He was 85 years old. John shared an enormous love for... -
AMABEADIBEADI CHARITIES NEWS
COMMUNITY CHEST TURNS 60! The 3rd of August 2020 marked a special moment in the history of the Pietermaritzburg & District Community Chest. The Organisation reached the remarkable milestone of... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY SHILPI JAIN
“My father, Pushpendra Kumar Jain, is a 73-year old retired Professor of Physics from the University of Botswana. He has been regularly walking 5 to 6km every day at a pace of about 5.5 km per hour... -
MESSAGE FROM CMA RACE DIRECTOR, ROWYN JAMES
“Dear Comrades Runner, Thank you for bearing with us as we do our best to get all race packs couriered to athletes across South Africa as soon as possible. We are happy to report that 147 running clubs... -
KZN VIRTUAL RUN ENTRIES RISING
With nearly 1700 entrants in the KZN Virtual Run scheduled for this weekend, the organisers are confident that greater awareness will be created around gender-based violence in the province and... -
KZN VIRTUAL RUN – 2020
EVENT DATE: Saturday, 18 and Sunday, 19 July 2020 TIME: Anytime between 06h00 and 18h00 (strict adherence to Covid-19 prevention guidelines) Who can enter: All South African citizens. Register at... -
REST IN PEACE – JOHN MASENYANI MABASA
PHOTO: www.netwerk24.com The CMA is saddened by news of the death of Comrades runner, John Masenyani Mabasa. John was a member of Giyani Gallopers Athletic Club and was the victim of a motor vehicle... -
CMA CSI UPDATE
HANDOVER TO IMALIYESIZWE SCHOOL BY SIFISO MNGOMA The adverse consequences of schools opening amid Covid-19 has touched us as an organization. As a result, on Wednesday 1 July our Charity Committee... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY IAN BENSON
“I distinctly remember the first words I said when I crossed the finish line after my first Comrades in 1980. “Never again,” I exclaimed through teary eyes. Of course, like many others, I was... -
COMRADES BRAND AMBASSADOR AT LARGE, MARK BLOOMFIELD
“One of my prized possessions are three finishers medals from the Comrades Marathon in South Africa. I’m lucky now to be able to give back to the Comrades Marathon as an international volunteer... -
COMRADES HISTORY: WE REMEMBER
NINETY FIVE OUT OF A HUNDRED: WHY WE WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR CENTENARY & 95TH RACE IN 2021 BY CMA MUSEUM CURATOR, ROXANNE THOMAS PHOTO: 1940 Winner, Allen Boyce 2020 will be marked in the history... -
MY #RACETHECOMRADESLEGENDS BY BLAKE ANDREW
“In January this year I was preparing to run my 9th Comrades Marathon and had built up a solid base. My plan was to break my personal record of 8hr25min achieved in 2012. The training was going... -
MY #RACETHECOMRADESLEGENDS BY JACK MORTASSAGNE
“A good UK friend Mark Evans and I signed up for the 90km #RaceTheComradesLegends as we had both registered and qualified for this year’s Comrades. We had also for many years read and spoken about the... -
102 NATIONS IN ‘RACE THE COMRADES LEGENDS’
Thanks to the CMA’s international footprint and its band of passionate International Brand Ambassadors, the foreign entry tally in ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ virtual race had well surpassed the... -
COMRADES GREEN NUMBER LEGENDS IN ‘RACE THE COMRADES LEGENDS’
Comrades Marathon Quadruple Green Number legends, Louis Massyn (No.403) and Barry Holland (No.916) were part of the inaugural ‘Race The Comrades Legends’. These legendary athletes hold the most... -
2019 CHAMPS IN ‘RACE THE COMRADES LEGENDS’
Reigning Comrades Marathon Champions, Edward Mothibi and Gerda Steyn had an epic time racing the legends in the ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ virtual race. Both Mothibi and Steyn are Brand Ambassadors for... -
Epic participation in ‘Race The Comrades Legends’
By the time entries had closed for the Comrades Marathon Association’s (CMA) inaugural virtual event, ‘Race The Comrades Legends’, a total of 43788 entrants had signed up to be a part of it. CMA... -
ONLINE BROADCAST OF #RACETHECOMRADESLEGENDS
The traditional Comrades Marathon may have been cancelled but the CMA ensured that ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ virtual race got its fair coverage to an international online audience on virtual race... -
Cream of the crop in ‘Race The Comrades Legends’
The best on the national and international ultra-running circuit participated in the ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ virtual race. Among them were former Comrades Marathon winners and gold medallists,... -
All Surviving CMA Chairs in ‘Race The Comrades Legends’
All nine of the former and present CMA Chairpersons participated in the ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ virtual race as did the present CMA Vice Chairperson and 8 other current Board members in an... -
OBITUARY– CLIVE CRAWLEY (COMRADES RACE NUMBER 1)
PHOTO: Kenny Craig, Clive Crawley, Louis Massyn, Alan Robb The Comrades Marathon Association is saddened by news of the death of Clive Crawley. He was 89 years old. Clive was the holder of Comrades... -
2019 CHAMPS SET TO 'RACE THE COMRADES LEGENDS'
Reigning Comrades Marathon Champions, Edward Mothibi and Gerda Steyn will be racing the legends in the Comrades Marathon Association’s (CMA) upcoming ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ virtual race next... -
NEED TO KNOW INFO - #RaceTheComradesLegends
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has issued need-to-know information to aspirant participants in the recently launched ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ virtual race. Says CMA Chairperson, Cheryl... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY MOLOKO MAKGATO
“Aged 45, I thought my chances of tackling my first ever Comrades Marathon were slowly fading away. After a few years of postponements, I was finally pushed by my running mates to give it a try... -
COMRADES RUNNERS GIVE GENEROUSLY TO CHARITY
Things may seem a little dark and gloomy with Covid-19 and the National Lockdown but one thing’s for sure; Comrades Marathon runners are a generous bunch who look on the bright side of life. CMA... -
ENTRIES RISING - #RACETHECOMRADESLEGENDS
So far, over 9000 entries have been captured in this virtual event which will be one with the significant difference of creating a sense of camaraderie for athletes within their social space, adding... -
RUN THE ULTIMATE VIRTUAL RACE
The world’s greatest ultramarathon is all set to stage the world’s greatest virtual event with runners from around the globe invited to participate on Sunday, 14 June 2020 with FREE entry to all... -
'RACE THE COMRADES LEGENDS' ENTRIES RISING
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is pulling out all the stops to ensure that ‘Race the Comrades Legends’ is The Ultimate Virtual Event and with the significant difference of creating a sense of... -
OPEN LETTER TO COMRADES RUNNERS
Dear Comrades Marathon Runner, Much has transpired in the six weeks since I last addressed you on 6 April regarding the then- uncertainty as to the status of the 2020 Comrades Marathon, since which the... -
CMA TO HOST 'RACE THE COMRADES LEGENDS' VIRTUAL RACE
Following on last week’s historic and regrettable cancellation of the 2020 Comrades Marathon and the manifest cancellation or postponement of nearly every mass-participation running event in the... -
THE 2020 COMRADES MARATHON HAS BEEN CANCELLED
THE 2020 COMRADES MARATHON HAS BEEN CANCELLED Following long discussion with the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Board and KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA, Athletics South Africa has announced the... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY WENDY JANSSENS - Comrades No. 44457
“Every Comrades is special but my 2014 Down Run was an experience that I will never forget. I had previously attempted the Down but did not finish my race due to cramping. I subsequently put off any... -
ASA EXTENDS POSTPONEMENT OF ATHLETICS EVENTS
Following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 9 April to extend the lockdown of the country by 14 days in order to slow down and manage the extent of the Corona Virus (COVID-19), ASA... -
AMABEADIBEADI CHARITIES RISE TO THE OCCASION
The CMA’s six Official Amabeadibeadi Charities - Community Chest of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC), Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, Hospice Palliative Care of South... -
#COMRADES2020 RACE4CHARITY DEADLINE EXTENDED
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the National State of Disaster and Lockdown and the consequent postponement of #Comrades2020, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has advised its athletes that... -
COMRADES MARATHON DONATES TOWARD FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19
Winning the battle against the novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic requires the joint contributions and efforts of all sectors of society, and in this vein, the Comrades Marathon Association... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY ZAMAYEDWA TOM
“It was in 2008, when, as a group of friends, we decided we should go to Durban and watch the Comrades Marathon live. I used to enjoy watching the great race on television from start to finish, so... -
50TH DIAMOND MARATHON
CMA General Manager, Keletso Totlhanyo was a guest of honour at last month’s 50th Diamond Marathon in Kimberley in Northern Cape. She not only fired the start gun for the 42,2km race but also... -
NEED TO KNOW INFO: COVID-19
The CMA’s main priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of our runners, supporters and stakeholders. We ask that you stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on... -
MESSAGE FROM CMA CHAIRPERSON, CHERYL WINN
Dear Comrades Marathon Runner, We are living through unprecedented, unpredictable and unimaginably challenging times. On behalf of the Comrades Marathon Association, I thank you for your patience... -
COMRADES TO GO AHEAD AS PLANNED
The Comrades Marathon Association’s (CMA) Board convened an urgent meeting last night (Monday, 16.3.2020) in light of the outbreak of the Corona Virus, also known as COVID-19 and the subsequent... -
2020 COMRADES SUBSTITUTION PROCESS OPENS ON MONDAY
The 2020 Comrades Marathon Substitution Process officially opens on Monday, 16 March at 8am. The Substitution Rule allows for aspirant Comrades Marathon runners who were unable to enter the 2020... -
OBITUARY: ERINA MUZHINGI
The CMA is saddened by news of the death of Erina Muzhingi, wife of three-time Comrades Marathon winner, Stephen Muzhingi of Zimbabwe. CMA Chairperson, Cheryl Winn says, “We are deeply saddened to... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY TARA DA SILVA
“My journey started when I made the decision to change my life for the better. I had struggled with weight issues for many years and it got worse after I left school and started with my studies. I had no... -
NEWS FROM HACT
NEWS FROM HACT Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust (HACT) is a registered charity situated on the Comrades route. Originally founded in 1990 as a ministry of the Hillcrest... -
NEWS FROM THE GREEN ZONE BY ROXANNE THOMAS
With the growing awareness of how our day to day lives are affecting our planet, the CMA has committed to doing everything it can to try and be kinder to our environment and reduce our plastic waste and... -
COMRADES UNDERPRIVILEGED RUNNERS PROGRAMME
The Comrades Marathon Underprivileged Runners Project started more than 20 years ago. For many years, runners who could not afford accommodation would sleep outside at the start the night before the... -
COMRADES GIVES BACK!
Uplifting and empowering communities along the Comrades Marathon route has been part of the CMA’s strategic focus, with various upskilling initiatives and charitable endeavours over the years. CMA... -
2020 Comrades Toyota Win-A-Car & Amabeadi Charity Launch
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” ― Winston Churchill Charitable fundraising through the Comrades Marathon was implemented in 1996, with the Nelson Mandela... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY JOSEPH ADAM
“After joining a sports retail store in Woodmead, I was fortunate to have met a runner and amateur boxer named Phillip Zwane, who was working in the running department. Phillip introduced me to... -
BONITAS COMRADES WEBINARS
A successful 2020 Comrades Marathon starts now with our FREE Bonitas Comrades Webinars! Featuring the Official Comrades Marathon Coach Lindsey Parry and other experts, these online seminars are not to... -
MR PRICE & MAXED ELITE AT COMRADES
The contribution of Mr Price, mrpsport and its Maxed Elite Running Club to ultra-running in the country has been nothing short of phenomenal. The Maxed Elite Running Club’s support of its top... -
RUNNERS FIRST WITH BONITAS
It’s all about the runner as the Bonitas Comrades Roadshow makes its way to the Mother City this Wednesday, and the team gets ready to motivate and encourage runners in preparation for the 95th... -
OBITUARY: BETTY CAVANAGH NO.462
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is saddened by news of the death of Betty Cavanagh. She was 89 years old. Betty is revered as the first official female winner of the Comrades Marathon, when it... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY KGOMOTSO EUGENE DIPHOKO
“Thousands of runners at the start. A resolute 6 months of training. Total mileage: 1210 km. 4 enthusiastic Manoni seconding stations, and if I may say so myself, these guys rock! Hundreds of... -
2020 RACE4CHARITY
On behalf of the Comrades Charity portfolios, we would like to thank all those runners who have signed up to raise funds for our 6 official charities. So far, 450 runners have committed their 2020... -
GOING GREEN BY ROXANNE THOMAS
Team Comrades has pledged to make 2020 an active year of changing our way of thinking and acting in order to help keep our planet green & we will be encouraging all our runners to do so. If we all... -
BONITAS COMRADES WEBINARS
A successful 2020 Comrades Marathon starts now with our FREE Bonitas Comrades Marathon Webinars! Featuring the Official Comrades Marathon Coach Lindsey Parry and other experts, these online seminars are... -
NEW COMRADES SPORTS APPAREL PARTNER
The CMA has announced the new sports apparel partner to The Ultimate Human Race. CMA Chairperson, Cheryl Winn confirmed, at an official launch in Pietermaritzburg, that one of the country’s most... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY TIKHO NOV
“In April 2018, I tied up my very first running shoes, the Nike Pegasus 34 at the invitation of my friend Kuvha. We went jogging for 3km which knocked me down for 2 weeks. Two months later, I found... -
SCHOOL DESKS MADE FROM RECYCLED COMRADES WASTE
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X The CMA got into the spirit of giving again after it donated 80 recycled school desks... -
RESULTS OF THE 2019 GREATER EDENDALE RACE
The 13th edition of the much-loved community road running affair, the Greater Edendale Race, took off beautifully on Sunday, 17 November, as the community of Edendale woke up to an overcast but... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY GARTH DIERS, MD
“I was running peacefully on the downhill section into Kloof when it happened. I had decided to cross the road to a water point and looking backwards to not bump into any runners, I hit a cats-eye... -
AIMS AWARDS GALA IN ATHENS, GREECE
CMA General Manager, Keletso Totlhanyo and IT & Entries Coordinator, Kyle Govender represented the Comrades Marathon at the annual AIMS Congress in Athens, Greece. They also attended the AIMS Awards... -
ABAYOMI NDLOVU AT GREATER EDENDALE RACE
The 13th edition of the fun community road running Greater Edendale 10km race takes place this Sunday, 17 November at the FNB Wadley Stadium in Georgetown, Edendale. Abayomi Ndlovu will be running... -
OBITUARY: DON OLIVER (COMRADES RACE NO.3128)
Former Comrades Marathon runner, supporter, motivator, mentor and friend to The Ultimate Human Race, Don Oliver has passed away. He was 85 years old. Don successfully completed the Comrades Marathon 19... -
MY COMRADES NOVICE DREAM BY JUNAID ROOPNARAIN
“My childhood dream was to complete the Comrades Marathon. I had successfully qualified at the Winelands Marathon but found that preparation towards the big day was hampered with an injury with four... -
#SEEYOUTHROUGH WITH COCA-COLA
#SeeYouThrough as Coca-Cola brings excitement to Comrades Marathon As an official race partner of the 2019 Comrades Marathon, Coca-Cola brings back #SeeYouThrough as an initiative for family and... -
THE MIZUNO WAVE RIDER 22 COMRADES EDITION
Mizuno introduces you to the most exciting edition of the Mizuno Wave Rider 22. This is a phenomenal shoe for the phenomenal runner! Mizuno and Brand ID Marketing Manager, Paul Copson says, “I truly... -
AMABEADIBEADI CHARITY UPDATE
AMABEADIBEADI CHARITY PRODUCTS FOR SALE This year the CMA’s Charities Committee has selected a wide range of products for our runners to choose from, and the best part is, you are supporting the 6... -
THANKS TO OUR BRAZILIAN ATHLETES
Hundreds of pairs of new and used running shoes will be donated to charity, thanks to the generosity and goodwill of our Comrades runners from Brazil. Comrades International Brand Ambassador for... -
#COMRADES2019 STARTERS VS FINISHERS
EntryType Total Registered Total Starters Total Finishers Novice Entries Novice Registered Novice Starters Novice Finishers Green# Entries Green# Registered Green# Starters Green# Finishers SA -... -
COMRADES REFRESHMENT STATIONS
Runners were well refreshed and nourished on Comrades race day, thanks to more than 3000 dedicated volunteers who manned the 43 refreshment stations along the 86,83km route between Durban and... -
THANK YOU TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT & MEDICAL PERSONNEL
CMA Race Director, Rowyn James has thanked SAPS, eThekwini Metro, Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and Msunduzi Traffic Services for ensuring the safe passage of Comrades runners, supporters and... -
COMMUNITY CHEST LACES IT UP
Caption: M&E Officer for the Pietermaritzburg Community Chest, Christian Dlamini (front row centre) is seen distributing shoes to members of Buxton Workshop at the Pietermaritzburg Mental Health... -
OBITUARY: JACKIE MEKLER (COMRADES RACE NO.9)
The oldest surviving Comrades Marathon winner has passed away at the age of 87. Jackie Mekler was not just a runner and a winner, he was one of the Comrades Great 5-time Winners who completed The... -
MEDALS BY NUMBERS
CMA Race Director, Rowyn James has confirmed that 19,216 medals in 9 medal categories were handed out to 16,439 finishers. Gold 20 Wall Hayward 8 Isavel Roche-Kelly 20 Silver 540 Bill Rowan 2364 Robert... -
TOYOTA COROLLA QUEST FOR THE WINNER
“I am overjoyed and so grateful; this new Toyota Corolla Quest came at a time when I really needed a new car after experiencing problems with my current vehicle.” 64-year old Mohammed Akoojee says... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY HENK JANSE VAN RENSBURG JUNIOR
“My father runs the Comrades Marathon. My mom says that he started to run 2 days after I was born. And then she stares at me kind of funny; a look that says funny coincidence; like it was my fault…... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY HAMISH HARDRES-WILLIAMS
“My story began when I was in my mid-teens. After taking part in the 1500m and Cross Country, I had the crazy idea of one day attempting to cross the finish line of The Ultimate Human Race. However, as Murphy... -
MY COMRADES STORY BY ZANDI ZWANE
“My #Comrades experience was a little different. It was a busy year and my training was very bad since I was preparing for my Pageant International competition, that was going to take place in...
