THERE was no shortage of local support for runners taking part in the Comrades Marathon on Sunday, June 9.
More than 20 000 athletes took on the 97th edition of the race, which was the 49th Up Run and the shortest of the Up Runs covering a distance of 85.91km.
In the men’s race, Netherlands’ Piet Wiersma won his first Comrades Marathon title in dominant fashion. Wiersma crossed the finish line at the Scottsville Race Course in Pietermaritzburg in a time of 05:25:00.
In the women’s race, Gerda Steyn was crowned Queen of the Comrades Marathon as she won her third Comrades Marathon title.
Steyn broke her own Up Run record time, finishing in a time of 05:49:46, bettering the previous record she set in 2019 of 05:58:53.
Meanwhile, the KZN Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, congratulated both Wiersma and Steyn on their wins but also thanked the 5 000 volunteers for their hard work.
“We appreciate the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this event. Indeed, the Comrades Marathon is not just a race; it is a celebration of human potential and community made possible by your unwavering commitment and hard work. This race continues to be a beacon of hope and a symbol of what is possible when we come together in the spirit of unity and perseverance. We also appreciate the spectators who lined up along the route to cheer up the runners and keep them motivated,” she said.
Shiraz has been a community journalist for the last 12 years and has a specific interest in everything sports. He holds a Bachelor of Arts undergrad degree and honours degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal where he majored in Communications, Anthropology and English.