Stefni and Mike Cruywagen with their Where’s Wally costumes were hard to miss.
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.
Grant Cowen and Lee Macpherson cheer on runners on Josiah Gumede Road.Lombard van Niekerk, Anina de Villiers and Rocco Pretorius were out to support their family members from the Klerksdorp Athletics Club.Gabrielle Wallace and Robyn Wijne hold up a message for runners at the Comrades Marathon.Ayanda Khomo, Nkanyezi Gumede and Mabli Ndumo.Metro police officers, Hloniphile Maseko and Nobuhle Gcwensa, are vocal in their support for local runners.Pinetown residents, Gayle and John Geldenhuys, made a short trip from home to the cheer on runners at the bottom of Cowies Hill.Siphindile and Lethokhule Gumede with Sthabile Nxumalo from uMlazi at the 69km-to-go mark.Durban North residents, Tarryn Hunter (2 Comrades), Keira Hunter, Tarryn Payne (11 Comrades), John Wallett (4 Comrades), Sally Botha (2 Comrades), Nicola Hewitt (7 Comrades), Travis Hewitt and Alexis Hewitt.Onamandla Maseko with her dad Hloniphile support the runners as they enter Pinetown.Durban North resident and Crusaders A/C member, Chris Young, completed his first Comrades Marathon on Sunday.Riverside Harriers A/C member Martin van der Merwe gives the thumbs-up on his run. He won a bronze medal.South Africa’s Beatrice Magodiela runs alongside Uganda’s Robert Kabushenga. They both won a Vic Clapham medal.Udaysinh Ghorpade from India cools down in the hot sun. He finished in a time of 11:57:28.There was plenty of support for the runners on the day shown by locals.Rory Scheffer and Sibusiso Prince Mchunu.Ronnie Mathebula won a Bill Rowan medal in his 19th Comrades Marathon.Bluff Athletics Club member Ricky Nieuwenhuis won a Vic Clapham medal.Winner of the Comrades Marathon in 1995, Shaun Meiklejohn (in white), looks comfortable at the start of the race. This was his 32nd Comrades run.Ryan Ceprnich and Bryan Ainley are all smiles with 69km to go.Senzeko Nxumalo won a silver medal.Sithembiso Masikane and Kenneth Mahlaole pace themselves with 69km to go.Siyabonga Msimango finished in a time of 08:00:50 to win a Bill Rowan medal.Wayne Molefe takes a selfie at the Comrades Marathon. He won a Bill Rowan medal.Wihan Swanepoel, Lungile Jiyana, Eddie Mouton and Jacques Mouton.Merlé Rautenbach finished in a time of 07:52:49.Mariaan Mostert with Lumka Tshiki. Both runners won a Vic Clapham medal.Madzobhi Gumede, Aleksei Cheremnykh (back), Sonwabile Spezi and Shane Letsoalo.Lindokuhle Ntombela gives a thumbs up to the crowd. He finished in a time of 07:44:30. He won a Bill Rowan medal.Mervin Hattingh and Chandré Hattingh run side by side.Khutjo Konyana finished in a time of 10:05:40 to win a Bronze medal and complete her second Comrades Marathon.Kentaro Toyosaki ran his fifth Comrades Marathon.Durban North runner Jenna Challenor.India’s Devarao Choudhari trails the United Kingdom’s Melissah Gibson.Jane Mosikare was attempting to finish her second Comrades Marathon.Jantjie Molokele and Bongani Mbatha.Jayna Maharaj took on the Comrades Marathon in a purple tutu.Dimakatso Mohoalali and Martha Khumalo.Hillcrest Villagers AC runners Sheldon Balie, Mark Thom and Steve Bure interact with supporters on Josiah Gumede Road in Pinetown.Westville A/C Hopewell Hlabe ran his 16th Comrades Marathon. He won a Bill Rowan medal.Anele Siyasanga Madyantyi and Nokukhanya Meyiwa were attempting to complete their third Comrades Marathon.Ayanda Khininda won a silver medal in his first Comrades Marathon.Moleboheng Mamorena Mdalana-Mayisela hopes to complete her first Comrades Marathon.Nikolay Volkov won his third Robert Mtshali medal.Petros Hlongwane ran his sixth Comrades Marathon. He won a Bill Rowan medal.
