What began as a day of celebration at the iconic Comrades Marathon took a concerning turn when news emerged that Moira Harding, a 54-year-old runner from the Fish Hoek Athletic Club in the Western Cape, was found in a hypothermic state hours after completing the race.

She had finished the grueling 89.98km ultramarathon with a time of 10:52:03—well under the 12-hour cut-off—but was later discovered near the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) base in Durban, about 7km from the official finish line.

Initially mistaken for someone out on a post-race training jog, Harding was eventually recognized as being in distress.

At the time of writing, she remains in hospital—one of five runners still under medical care following the event.

A Marathon Like No Other

The Comrades Marathon isn’t just a race; for many, it’s a transformative journey.

Dubbed “The Ultimate Human Race,” it draws tens of thousands of South Africans and international participants who return year after year to run the scenic, hilly stretch between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

The 2025 edition—held on Sunday, June 8—was no different in its spirit, despite some bumps along the road.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) reflected on another landmark event while acknowledging a few operational challenges.

Officials confirmed that these issues will be reviewed thoroughly in preparation for future races, especially with the 100th edition of the event on the horizon in 2027.

A Dress Rehearsal for the Century Race

This year’s race served as a strategic test for what’s to come.

Notably, the 2025 marathon introduced a historic first: a split start with two separate waves of runners for better safety and flow.

The race also ended in a brand-new location—People’s Park in Durban.

The logistics proved largely successful. A total of 20,972 runners started the race, and 18,194 crossed the finish line—an 86.75% success rate.

Impressively, all runners crossed the start line within six minutes of their wave’s gun going off, thanks to the improved system.

CMA General Manager Alain Dalais praised participants for their cooperation, especially during the split start.

“The discipline shown by the runners helped us create a safe and efficient start,” he said.

South Africa’s Champions Shine Again

In the elite field, familiar champions rose to the occasion.

South Africa’s Tete Dijana claimed victory in the men’s race for the third time, clocking in at 5:25:28, just ahead of Dutch runner and 2024 winner Piet Wiersma.

In the women’s field, Gerda Steyn extended her legacy with a fourth title, finishing in 5:51:19. Only Russian legend Elena Nurgalieva has more titles than Steyn.

Medal Drama and Tight Penalties

Not everything went off without a hitch. After scanning race numbers at the finish line, officials noticed that 19 runners from the second group had started with the first group.

After interviews, they were penalized with 30 minutes added to their finish times—just enough to affect medal placements for some.

Still, the CMA celebrated numerous logistical wins: smooth registration, well-stocked refreshment stations, and significantly improved security around the finish area.

All finishers received their medals and commemorative items as expected.

Milestones Worth Applauding

Beyond the elites, the day was filled with personal triumphs.

Louis Massyn became the first person to complete the Comrades Marathon 50 times, finishing in 11:53:14 and receiving a specially framed “Quintuple Green Number.”

Barry Holland, himself a 49-time finisher, was on hand to celebrate the moment.

At 83 years old, Johannes Maros Mosehla continued to defy expectations, crossing the finish line in 11:47:27 and extending his record as the oldest ever Comrades finisher.

On the women’s side, Malie van der Walt, Helen Mann, and Gina Hinchliffe earned membership in the exclusive Triple Green Club, having completed the race at least 30 times.

Health and Safety: A Mixed Bag

From a medical standpoint, this year’s race saw 440 runners treated in the finish line’s medical tent.

An additional 200 athletes were sent to hospital—169 from the route and 31 post-race.

No deaths were recorded, despite some false reports circulating online.

Out of the 200 hospitalized runners, 25 were admitted for further care, and five—including Moira Harding—remained under observation as of June 11.

CMA’s medical team is closely monitoring their recovery and staying in contact with the hospitals involved.

What Needs Fixing: Congestion and Communication

One of the most pressing issues on race day was congestion at the finish venue.

According to Dalais, bottlenecks behind the finish line became a serious challenge in the final hour of the event.

Although the situation was handled before any injuries occurred, it’s a top priority for the CMA moving forward.

“We’re already looking at ways to improve traffic flow and prevent crowding in the finish area,” Dalais said.

Feedback from social media and participants is also being taken seriously, especially regarding the venue’s layout and security concerns.

Global Input and Continuous Improvement

To help improve the race, the CMA brought in road-running expert Dr. Hilary Walker from the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) for feedback.

Her insights are expected to shape preparations for the 2026 and 2027 editions.

CMA is also encouraging runners, spectators, and volunteers to email their suggestions and experiences.

“We rely on this feedback to make the Comrades Marathon even better,” Dalais emphasized.

By the Numbers: Comrades 2025 at a Glance

Starters:

Total: 20,974
Men: 16,721
Women: 4,253

Finishers:

Total: 18,209
Men: 14,647
Women: 3,562
Overall Finish Rate: 86.82%

Novice Finishers:

First-time runners: 4,258
Finish rate among novices: 85.62%

Notable Medals Earned:

Gold: Top 10 men and women
Silver, Bronze, Bill Rowan, and more based on finishing times
528 runners received new Green Numbers for reaching 10, 20, 30, or 50 finishes

Looking Ahead

While the 2025 Comrades Marathon delivered countless moments of achievement and joy, it also served as a crucial learning experience. With the centenary race approaching in 2027, organizers are committed to refining every aspect—from logistics and safety to the runner experience. If one thing’s clear, it’s that the spirit of Comrades remains as strong and inspiring as ever.