Two fatalities confirmed after Comrades race, former women’s champ in hospital

The Comrades Marathon Association has confirmed the names of the two runners who passed away during Sunday’s ‘down’ run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

Following the news that Mzamo Mthembu, of the Hollywoodbets Athletic Club, had passed away after suffering a heart attack at Pinetown, it was confirmed late Monday that the other runner to pass away during the 90km race is Phakamile Ntshiza, of Adventist Athletics Club.

It is also understood former Comrades marathon women’s champion Charné Bosman is in hospital after feeling unwell during the 2022 ‘down’ run on Sunday.

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Bosman, winner of the ‘down’ run in 2016 in a time of 6:25:55, is believed to be undergoing tests to determine why she collapsed during her run on Sunday.

The elite athlete is understood to have stopped running around the 65km mark before she was taken to a hospital in Durban.

In a Facebook post the day before the race, Bosman said she was “feeling healthy and ready”.

ALSO READ: Two Comrades marathon runners have died

Condolences have already poured in for the Durban father of four, Mthembu, who was taken to Westville hospital before passing away.

His death was also confirmed on Monday by his running club, Hollywoodbets Athletics Club, through a Facebook statement.

“He (Mthembu) had complications along the route and collapsed in Pinetown and was taken to Westville Hospital where he sadly passed away,” a post reads.

The Adventist club from Pretoria also posted a statement about Ntshiza.

“The Adventist Athletics Club is saddened by the sudden death of Phakamile Ntshiza. Phaks collapsed at Drummond. Our prayers are with the Ntshiza family and all those touched by Phaks.”

Comrades Marathon Association chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo said, “At this difficult time we share our sympathy and condolences with family and friends and the running mates of these two athletes. We will continue to have them in our thoughts and offer them our support as they deal with their loss.”

Ngcobo added: “We would like to thank the medical staff and volunteers who assisted in quickly providing whatever assistance they could to these athletes.”

According to Sport24, 74 runners had been transported to hospital – 41 to St Augustine’s and 33 to Netcare Umhlanga – after Comrades shut its medical facilities at 8pm on Sunday night. Of those, two remain in ICU.