Comrades Marathon

Comrades Marathon
File:Comrades Marathon logo.JPG The Comrades Marathon logo
Date	May/June
Location	Durban/Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Event type	Road
Distance	Ultramarathon (90 km)
Established	1921
Course records	Down:  Men: David Gatebe: 5:18:19 (2016)     Women: 5:54:43 (1989)   Frith van der Merwe Up:  Men: 5:24:49 (2008)   Leonid Shvetsov  Women: 5:58:53 (2019)   Gerda Steyn
Official site	The Comrades Marathon

The Comrades Marathon is an ultramarathon of approximately 89 kilometres (55 mi) which is run annually in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It is the world's largest and oldest ultramarathon race. The direction of the race alternates each year between the "up" run (87 km) starting from Durban and the "down" run (now 90.184 km) starting from Pietermaritzburg.

The 2019 field was capped at 25,000 runners, and the entry process closed after one week. South African runners constitute the greater part of the field, but many entrants hail from the United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, India, the United States, Brazil, Australia, Botswana, Russia and Swaziland. In all but three runnings since 1988, over 10,000 runners have reached the finish within the allowed 11 or 12 hours. With increased participation since the 1980s, the average finish times for both sexes, and the average age of finishers have increased substantially.

Runners over the age of 20 qualify when they are able to complete an officially recognised marathon (42.2 km) in under five hours (4h50 for 2019). During the event an athlete must also reach five cut-off points in specified times to complete the race. The spirit of the Comrades Marathon is said to be embodied by attributes of camaraderie, selflessness, dedication, perseverance, and ubuntu.

Course

Course of the ultramarathon

The race is run on the roads of KwaZulu-Natal province, marked by "The Big Five" set of hills. On the up run they appear in the following order: Cowies Hill, Fields Hill, Botha's Hill, Inchanga, and Polly Shortts. The highest point of the race, at 2,850 feet (870 m) above sea level, is situated near Umlaas Road interchange. 40 official refreshment stations along the route are stocked with soft drinks, mageu, water sachets, energy drink sachets, fruit, biscuits, energy bars and cooked potatoes. Eight physiotherapy and first aid stations are also located at strategic points.

Rules

Athletes currently have 12 hours to complete the course, extended from 11 hours in 2003. The original Comrades cut-off time from 1921 to 1927 was also 12 hours, reduced to 11 hours in 1928. There are a number of cut-off points along the routes which runners must reach by a prescribed time or be forced to retire from the race. A runner who has successfully completed nine marathons wears a yellow number, while those who have completed ten races wear a green number, permanently allocated to the runner for all future races.

Medals are awarded to all runners completing the course in under 12 hours. Medals are currently awarded as follows:

• Gold medal: the first 10 men and women.
• Wally Hayward medal (silver-centred circled by gold ring): 11th position to sub 6hrs 00min.
• Isavel Roche-Kelly medal (silver-centred circled by gold ring): women only, 11th position to sub 7hrs 30min.
• Silver medal: 6hrs 00min to sub 7hrs 30min.
• Bill Rowan medal (bronze-centred circled by silver ring): 7hrs 30min to sub 9hrs 00min.
• Robert Mtshali medal (titanium): 9hr 00min to sub 10hrs 00min.
• Bronze medal: 10hrs 00min to sub 11hrs 00min.
• Vic Clapham medal (copper): 11hrs 00min to sub 12hrs 00min.

- Prior to 2000, only gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded.

- The Bill Rowan medal was introduced in 2000 and named after the winner of the first Comrades Marathon in 1921. The time limit for this medal was inspired by Rowan's winning time in 1921 of 8hrs 59min.

- A new copper medal, the Vic Clapham medal (named after the race founder), was added in 2003. This medal coincided with the increase in the time allocation for completing the event from sub 11hrs to sub 12hrs.

- The Wally Hayward medal, named after five-time winner Wally Hayward, was added in 2007 for runners finishing in under 6hrs, but outside the gold medals.

- In 2005 the back-to-back medal was created and henceforth was awarded to novice runners who complete an 'up or down run' in succession. In terms of the implementation thereof, back-to-back medals were automatically awarded to 2005 Comrades Marathon finishers who had completed their first Comrades Marathon in 2004. As with any new innovation, the award was never intended to be retrospective, owing to administrative restrictions. However, in response to popular demand, the back-to-back medal is available for purchase to runners who have previously fulfilled the criteria of completing both an 'up' and a 'down' Comrades Marathon.

- For 2019 the Isavel Roche-Kelly medal (the same design as the Wally Hayward medal) is being introduced for women finishing outside the gold medals, but under 7hrs 30min, effectively eliminating the silver medal for women. Twenty-year old Isavel Roche-Kelly was named the UCT Sportsperson of the Year for 1980. An unknown on the athletics scene, Roche-Kelly set the roads alight that year when she became the first woman to break the 71⁄2-hour barrier and win the Comrades Marathon in 7:18:00; well under the silver-medal cut-off of 7:30:00, and in the process shattering the women's record by more than an hour. Earlier that year she also became only the third women in Africa to complete a marathon in under three hours. She went on to win the 1981 Comrades up run in a time of 6:44:35 the following year. Three years later, she died in a cycling accident in her native Northern Ireland at the age of 24.

- Also in 2019, the titanium Robert Mtshali medal is being introduced for a time between 9hrs 00min and sub 10hrs 00min. Robert Mtshali was the first unofficial black runner in the 1935 Comrades Marathon, finishing his race in a time of 9 hours and 30 minutes. His efforts were not officially recorded as government and race rules of the time stipulated that, in order to compete in the Comrades Marathon, you had to be a white male. Friday, the 24th of May 1935, saw Mtshali participating in the 15th Comrades Marathon, a down run, joining the 48 official entrants on the starting line. He ran unofficially, but was warmly welcomed into the Durban finish venue on the then Old Fort Road track grounds (now KE Masinga Road) by the crowds of supporters and spectators. The maverick runner clocked his time of 9:30 and was awarded a special presentation by Councilor V.L. Shearer. He was one of only 35 finishers.

History

Bust of Vic Clapham, founder of the Comrades

The Comrades was run for the first time on 24 May 1921 (Empire Day), and with the exception of a break during World War II, has been run every year since. The 2010 event was the 85th race. To date, over 300,000 runners have completed the race.

The race was the idea of World War I veteran Vic Clapham, to commemorate the South African soldiers killed during the war. Clapham, who had endured a 2,700-kilometre route march through sweltering German East Africa, wanted the memorial to be a unique test of the physical endurance of the entrants. The constitution of the race states that one of its primary aims is to "celebrate mankind's spirit over adversity".

From 1962 to 1994 the race was run on Republic Day, 31 May. After this public holiday was scrapped in 1995 by the post-apartheid South African government, the race date was changed to Youth Day on 16 June. In 2007, the race organisers (controversially) bowed to political pressure from the ANC Youth League, who felt that the race diverted attention from the significance of Youth Day, and changed the race date to Sunday 17 June for 2007 and 15 June for 2008. In 2009 and 2010 the date was changed (to 24 May and 30 May respectively) to accommodate football's Confederations Cup (2009) and World Cup (2010) in South Africa. In 2020, the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

1920s

Forty-eight runners entered the first race in 1921, but only thirty-four elected to start. The course at the time was tarred only for the final few kilometres into Durban. A time limit of 12 hours was set and Bill Rowan became the inaugural winner, clocking 08:59 to win by 41 minutes ahead of Harry Phillips. Of the 34 starters, only 16 completed the race.

Arthur Newton entered and won the race for the first time in 1922. He went on to win the race five times and emerge as the dominant Comrades runner of the 1920s. When he completed the down run in 06:56 in 1923, there were only a handful of spectators on hand to witness the finish because so few thought it possible that the race could be run so quickly. The first woman to run the race was Frances Hayward in 1923, but her entry was refused, so she was an unofficial entrant. She completed the event in 11:35 and although she was not awarded a Comrades medal, the other runners and spectators presented her with a silver tea service and a rose bowl. In 1924 the Comrades had its fewest starters ever, just 24. Four years later, in 1928, the time limit for the race was reduced by an hour to 11 hours.

1930s

In the 1930s, Hardy Ballington emerged as the dominant runner, recording four victories in 1933, 1934, 1936 and 1938. The winner of the 1930 race, Wally Hayward, became one of the greatest legends of the Comrades Marathon, winning a further four times in the fifties, and becoming the oldest man to complete the race in 1989. In 1932 Geraldine Watson, an unofficial entrant, became the first woman to complete both the up run and the down run.

1940s

After Ballington's domination of the 1930s, Comrades was stopped during the war years from 1941 to 1945. In 1948 a Comrades tradition was born when race official Max Trimborn, instead of firing the customary starter's gun, gave a loud imitation of a cock's crow. That tradition continues to the present day with Trimborn's recorded voice played over loudspeakers at the starting line.

1950s

In the 1950s, a full twenty years after he won the race for the first time, Wally Hayward recorded his second victory and followed that up with wins in 1951, 1953 and 1954. He represented South Africa at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, where he finished tenth in the marathon. Hayward retired from the Comrades after establishing new records for both the up and down runs and equaling the five wins of Newton and Ballington. In 1958, the race was won for the first time by Jackie Mekler, who went on to win the race five times, finishing second twice and third twice.

1960s

In the 1960s, Comrades grew considerably, from 104 starters in 1960 to 703 starters in 1969. Due to the bigger fields, cut-off points were introduced at Drummond and Cato Ridge. Mekler became the first man to break the six-hour barrier in 1960, finishing in 5:56:32. The 1961 winner was George Claassen, a school principal and father of well-known Wynand Claassen, Springbok rugby captain during 1981-83. Claassen junior also finished the Comrades ten times in later years.

In 1962, the race attracted foreign entries for the first time as the Road Runners Club of England sent over four of the best long-distance runners in Britain. English runner John Smith won the race, an up run, in under six hours, missing out on the course record by 33 seconds. Watching the stragglers come in hours later, Smith commented to former winner Bill Cochrane that the other people completing the race were getting as much applause as he had received. "You are now witnessing the spirit of the Comrades," replied Cochrane.

In 1965, English runner Bernard Gomersall broke Mekler's down run record with a time of 5:51:09.

In 1967, Manie Kuhn and Tommy Malone were involved in the closest finish in the history of the race. Malone appeared to be on his way to a comfortable win and was handed the traditional message from the Mayor of Pietermaritzburg to the Mayor of Durban at Tollgate with a lead of two minutes over Kuhn. He entered the stadium in the lead with only 80 metres left to go. Suddenly Kuhn appeared only 15 metres behind and closed in quickly. Malone put in a burst for the line, but with only 15 metres left he fell to the ground with cramps. He attempted to get up again, but with the line within reach Kuhn flew past to grab victory. The mayoral message was forgotten as both runners embraced.

1970s

The Comrades had over 1,000 starters for the first time in 1971, with over 3,000 in 1979. The race was widely broadcast on both radio and television. The race was opened to all athletes for the first time in 1975, allowing blacks and women to take part officially. In 1975, the Golden Jubilee of the Comrades, Vincent Rakabele finished 20th to become the first black runner to officially win a medal. Elizabeth Cavanaugh became the first women's winner in a shade over 10 hours.

1976 saw the emergence of Alan Robb, who won the first of his four Comrades titles. Robb repeated his win in 1977, 1978 and 1980, including breaking the tape in Durban in 1978 in a record 5:29:14, almost 20 minutes and four kilometres ahead of runner-up Dave Wright.

1980s

During the 1980s the Comrades began with a field of 4,207 in 1980 and topped 5,000 for the first time in 1983.

In 1980, Olive Anthony became the first black woman finisher of the race in 9:10. She ran the race 22 times, including in 1983 while she was three months pregnant and also in 2010 with her husband and two daughters.

In 1981, University of the Witwatersrand student Bruce Fordyce won the first of his eventual nine Comrades titles. An outspoken critic of apartheid, Fordyce and a number of other athletes initially decided to boycott the 1981 event when organisers announced that they would associate it with the 20th anniversary of the Republic of South Africa. Fordyce ultimately competed wearing a black armband to signal his protest. He repeated his victories in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 (a record 5:24:07 down run), 1987, 1988 (a record 5:27:42 for the up run), and 1990.

In 1989, Sam Tshabalala became the first black winner of the Comrades.

Schoolteacher Frith van der Merwe won the woman's race in 1988 in a time of 6:32:56. In 1989, Van der Merwe ran 5:54:43, obliterating the women's record and finishing fifteenth overall.

In the same year Wally Hayward entered the race at the age of 79 and finished in 9:44:15. He repeated the feat in the 1989 Comrades, where he completed the race with only two minutes to spare and at the age of 80 became the oldest man to complete the Comrades.

1990s

Comrades Marathon House, the CMA's headquarters in Pietermaritzburg where race statistics and memorabilia are kept

During the 1990s the size of the starting fields was in the region of 12,000 to 14,000 runners. In 1995 prize money was introduced, attracting more foreign competitors. The traditional race day of May 31, formerly Republic Day, was changed to June 16, the anniversary of the Soweto uprising.

In 1992 Charl Mattheus, crossed the finish line first, but was later disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance. He claimed it was contained in medicine he had taken for a sore throat, but Jetman Msutu was elevated to the winner, thus becoming the second black winner of the Comrades. In a sad twist for Mattheus, not long after the 1992 race, the substance for which he was banned was removed from the IAAF's banned substance list since all evidence pointed to it having no performance enhancing properties. Mattheus also suffered much negativity in the public eye but later managed to redeem his clean image with an emphatic faultless win in the 1997 down run beating a strong local and international field.

2000s

The 75th anniversary of the Comrades Marathon in 2000 was the largest ever staged, with a massive field of 23,961. An extra hour was allowed to allow runners some recovery time for bronze medal finishers to celebrate the milestone. In 2010, on its 85th anniversary, the race gained a place in the Guinness World Records as the ultramarathon with most runners. 14,343 athletes, the largest field since the turn of the millennium, finished in the allowed 12 hours.

Russian runner Leonid Shvetsov set both down and up course records in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Stephen Muzhingi became the first non-South African winner from Africa in 2009.

2010s

Russian identical twin sisters Olesya and Elena Nurgalieva won a combined ten Comrades titles from 2003–2013. Stephen Muzhingi also became the first athlete to win three races in a row (2009, 2010 and 2011) since Bruce Fordyce won three in a row in the eighties (1981, 1982 and 1983).

South African supremacy over the men's race was restored when Ludwick Mamabolo won the down run in 2012. David Gatebe shattered the men's down record in 2016, while Bongmusa Mthembu has won three titles. Among the women, the Nurgalieva twins hold on the race was finally broken in 2014 when Ellie Greenwood, GBR, won the downrun after a spectacular finish, taking the lead just 2 km before the end. In 2015 Caroline Wostmann became the first South African woman to win Comrades in 17 years, followed by Charne Bosman in 2016 and Ann Ashworth in 2018. In 2017, American Camille Herron, led from start-to-finish to become only the 3rd American and first in 20 years to win.

2020s

The 2020 edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with foreign registrants given the option of transferring their entry to 2021 or 2022.

Health issues

As with every ultramarathon, there are potentially lethal health risks involved in extreme physical events. In the history of the Comrades, there have been 7 deaths up to the 2007 event. In a survey among a sample of 2005 participants, 25% reported cramps, 18% nausea, 8% vomiting, 13% dizziness, 3% diarrhoea, 23% pain, excluding the expected sore legs, and 14% reported fatigue of such a nature that they believed themselves to be incapable of continuing the race. Among silver medalists there was a higher incidence of cramps (42.9%), nausea (21.4%) and diarrhoea (7.1%), though a lower incidence of pain and fatigue than the average runner.

Cheating in the race

In 1993, Herman Matthee, a runner from Bellville athletics club, finished in 7th place and was one of the top ten gold medal winners, but he was later stripped of his gold medal and disqualified when video evidence and eyewitness testimony indicated that he entered the race at Kloof and completed less than 30 km of the 89 km down run. As his surname resembled that of top runner Charl Mattheus, he was often mistaken by the public as being the same person, unfairly tainting the image of the 1992 disqualified champion. Consequently, in a Comrades first, 11th-place finisher Simon Williamson was months later promoted to tenth place and awarded the last gold medal by the then South African president FW de Klerk. Williamson had passed another runner, Ephraim Sekothlong, in the last 100 metres to claim 11th spot and, unknowingly, a gold medal.

In 1999, the Motsoeneng brothers from Bethlehem, Free State, who strongly resembled one another, performed an act of cheating during another down run. By exchanging places with his brother at toilet stops and aided by car lifts at various stages, Sergio Motsoeneng finished ninth, which came as a surprise to Nick Bester and other athletes behind him, who could not recall being overtaken. They were exposed when television footage revealed them to be wearing watches on different arms, and a time pad reading that confirmed that one of the brothers was still trailing Bester at Botha's Hill. The brothers performed well in later years, though Sergio tested positive for a banned substance after finishing third in 2010.

Use of banned substances is claimed to be endemic among top Comrades athletes, but only a small number have been disqualified. Runners who have tested positive include Sergio Motsoeneng, Rasta Mohloli, Viktor Zhdanov, Lephetesang Adoro and Ludwick Mamabolo. Mamabolo was found not guilty due to "technical irregularities". Erythropoietin (EPO), norandrosterone (a metabolite or precursor of nandrolone), methylhexaneamine and testosterone have been mentioned in connection with Comrades athletes.

In 2014, an analysis of negative splits by runner and statistician Mark Dowdeswell, suggested that a number of runners in the middle to back half of the field may be taking shortcuts.

Records and statistics

Elena Nurgalieva leading at the 65 kilometres (40 mi) mark in the 2012 Comrades

10 Fastest times (up & down runs)

Year: Athlete: Time: Nation: Position that year

Up - Men

1. 2008 Leonid Shvetsov 5.24.39 1st
2. 2000 Vladimir Kotov 5.25.33 1st
3. 1998 Dmitri Grishin 5.26.25 1st
4. 2000 Alexi Volgin 5.27.08 2nd
5. 1988 Bruce Fordyce 5.27.42 1st
6. 1996 Dmitri Grishin 5.29.33 1st
7. 1983 Bruce Fordyce 5.30.12 1st
8. 1996 Nick Bester 5.30.48 2nd
9. 2002 Vladimir Kotov 5.30.59 1st
10. 2004 Vladimir Kotov 5.31.22 1st

Up - Women

1. 2019 Gerda Steyn 5.58.53 1st
2. 2006 Elena Nurgalieva 6.09.24 1st
3. 2004 Elena Nurgalieva 6.11.15 1st
4. 2015 Caroline Wöstmann 6.12.22 1st
5. 2006 Marina Zhalybina 6.12.58 2nd
6. 1996 Ann Trason 6.13.23 1st
7. 2004 Marina Zhalybina 6.14.13 2nd
8. 2002 Maria Bak 6.14.21 1st
9. 2008 Elena Nurgalieva 6.14.37 1st
10. 2008 Olesya Nurgalieva 6.15.52 2nd

Down - Men

1. 2016 David Gatebe 5.18.19 1st
2. 2007 Leonid Shvetsov 5.20.41 1st
3. 2009 Stephen Muzhingi 5.23.27 1st
4. 2016 Ludwick Mamabolo 5.24.05 2nd
5. 1986 Bruce Fordyce 5.24.07 1st
6. 2001 Andrew Kelehe 5.25.52 1st
7. 1986 Bob de la Motte 5.26.12 2nd
8. 2001 Leonid Shvetsov 5.26.29 2nd
9. 2018 Bongmusa Mthembu 5.26.34 1st
10. 2016 Bongmusa Mthembu 5.26.39 3rd

Down - Women

1. 1989 Frith van der Merwe 5.54.43 1st
2. 1997 Ann Trason 5.58.25 1st
3. 2005 Tatyana Zhirkova 5.58.51 1st
4. 1997 Maria Bak 6.00.28 2nd
5. 2012 Elena Nurgalieva 6.07.12 1st
6. 2003 Elena Nurgalieva 6.07.47 1st
7. 1991 Frith van der Merwe 6.08.19 1st
8. 2012 Eleanor Greenwood 6.08.24 2nd
9. 2007 Olesya Nurgalieva 6.10.03 1st
10. 2018 Ann Ashworth 6.10.04 1st

Multiple winners

'+' denotes winner of both an up and a down run

Men's Champion	Wins	Club	Women's Champion	Wins	Club
Bruce Fordyce +	9	Wits AC, Rand AC	Elena Nurgalieva +	8
/ Arthur Newton +	5		Maureen Holland +	4
Hardy Ballington +	5		Lettie van Zyl +	3	Germiston Callies Harriers
Wally Hayward +	5	Germiston Callies Harriers	/ Helen Lucre +	3	Hillcrest Villagers AC
Jackie Mekler +	5	Germiston Callies Harriers	Frith van der Merwe +	3	Benoni Northerns AC
Alan Robb +	4	Germiston Callies Harriers	Maria Bak +	3	Germany
Dave Bagshaw +	3	Savages AC	Lindsay Weight +	2	UCT AC
Stephen Muzhingi +	3		Isavel Roche-Kelly +	2	UCT AC
/ Vladimir Kotov	3		Elizabeth Cavanagh	2	Estcourt AC
Bongmusa Mthembu +	3		Olesya Nurgalieva	2
Johnny Coleman	2		Ann Trason +	2	USA
Bill Cochrane +	2
Gerald Walsh +	2	Durban AC
Trevor Allen +	2	Durban AC
Derek Preiss	2	Westville AC
Dmitri Grishine	2
Leonid Shvetsov +	2

Most gold medals

Gold medals were first awarded in 1931, and to the first 6 male finishers. In 1972, this was extended to the first 10 male finishers, as it is today. In 1983 a gold medal was awarded to the female winner for the first time. In 1988, this was extended to the first 3 female finishers, then to the first 5 female finishers from 1995, and from 1998 onward to the first 10 female finishers, on par with the male race.

The following runners won 7 or more gold medals, gold medal span in brackets:

Men

 12 medals

• Alan Robb (1974–1991)

 11 medals

• Bruce Fordyce (1979–1990)

 10 medals

• Trevor Allen (1950–1961)
• Jackie Mekler (1952–1969)
• Shaun Meiklejohn (1989–1999)
• Andrew Kelehe (1997–2006)
• Fusi Nhlapo (2000–2012)

 9 medals

• Hoseah Tjale (1980–1990)
• Nick Bester (1988–1997)
• Stephen Muzhingi (2007–2015)

 8 medals

• Allen Boyce (1936–1956)
• Gordon Baker (1967–1974)
• Bongmusa Mthembu (2009–2019)

 7 medals

• Hardy Ballington (1932–1947)
• Gerald Walsh (1952–1960)
• Charl Mattheus (1988–1998)
• Oleg Kharitonov (2002–2008)
• / Vladimir Kotov (2000–2008)
• Mncedisi Mkhize (2006–2016)
• Claude Moshiywa (2005–2016)
• Ludwick Mamobolo (2010–2017)

Women

 13 medals

• Elena Nurgalieva (2003–2015) Russia

 12 medals

• Marina Zhalybina (1999–2013) Russia

 11 medals

• Maria Bak (1995–2008) Germany

 10 medals

• Farwa Mentoor (2002–2011) South Africa
• Olesya Nurgalieva (2003–2015) Russia

 9 medals

• Valentina Shatyayeva (1994–2002) Russia

 8 medals

• Yolande Maclean (2003–2018) South Africa

 7 medals

• Grace De Oliveira (1999–2007) South Africa

Most top 10 finishes by women

The following women have finished in the top 10 of the women's race on 7 or more occasions in the race history. Given the top 10 women only received gold medals from 1998, the gold medals list doesn't fully reflect the history of the women's race as female contenders in the 1980s and early 90s were competing for fewer gold medals.

 13 top ten

• Elena Nurgalieva (2003–2015) Russia

 12 top ten

• Marina Zhalybina (1999–2013) Russia

 11 top ten

• Maria Bak (1995–2008) Germany

 10 top ten

• Farwa Mentoor (2002–2011) South Africa
• Olesya Nurgalieva (2003–2015) Russia

 9 top ten

• Tilda Tearle (1986–1995) South Africa
• Valentina Shatyayeva (1994–2002) Russia

 8 top ten

• Priscilla Carlisle (1981–1989) South Africa
• Ralie Smit (1980–1989) South Africa
• Hazel Hairs (1983–1990) South Africa
• Yolande Maclean (2003–2018) South Africa

 7 top ten

• Sanet Beukes (1992–1998) South Africa
• Grace De Oliveira (1999–2007) South Africa

International Gold Medalists

The following non-African international runners have won 2 or more gold medals:

Men

 7 medals

• Oleg Kharitonov (2002–2008)
• Vladimir Kotov (2000–2008)

 6 medals

• Alexi Volgin (1995–2001)

 5 medals

• Jaroslaw Janicki (1997–2008)
• Grigory Murzin (1999–2008)
• Leonid Schvetsov (2001–2012)

 4 medals

• Dmitri Grishin (1996–2001)

 3 medals

• Dave Levick (1971–1975)
• Jorge Aubeso (2002–2004)
• Jonas Buud (2011–2014)

 2 medals

• Mick Orton (1972–1973)
• John McBrearty (1973–1975)
• Charly Doll (1993–1994)
• Peter Camenzind (1994–1997)
• Konstantin Santalov (1997–1999)
• Mikhail Kokorev (1996–2000)
• Anatoliy Korepanov (1999–2000)
• Don Wallace (2000–2002)
• / Steve Way (2017–2018)

Women

 13 medals

• Elena Nurgalieva (2003–2015)

 12 medals

• Marina Zhalybina (1999–2013)

 11 medals

• Maria Bak (1995–2008)

 10 medals

• Olesya Nurgalieva (2003–2015)

 9 medals

• Valentina Shatyayeva (1994–2002)

 6 medals

• Marina Myshlyanova (2005–2010)
• Tatiana Zhirkova (2003–2009)

 5 medals

• Elvira Kolpakova (2000–2005)

 4 medals

• Valentina Liakhova (1994–1998)
• / Ellie Greenwood (2011–2015)

 3 medals

• / Joasia Zakrzewski (2012–2015)
• Devon Yanko (2012–2018)
• Sarah Bard (2016–2018)
• Alexandra Morozova (2017–2019)

 2 medals

• Ann Trason (1996–1997)
• Birgit Lennartz (1999–2000)
• Maria Venancio (1999–2001)
• Alena Vinitskaya (2003–2007)
• Kami Semick (2010–2011)
• / Lizzy Hawker (2010–2011)
• Simona Staicu (2003–2015)
• Natalia Volgina (2002–2012)

Most Wally Hayward Medals

The following have won 3 or more Wally Hayward medals (for running sub-6 hours but outside the top 10) since the medal was first awarded in 2009, medal span in brackets.

4 medals

• Mike Fokoroni (2012–2018)

3 medals

• Peter Muthubi (2009–2016)
• Harmans Mokgadi (2012–2016)
• Thabo Nkuna (2014–2017)
• Prodigal Khumalo (2010–2018)
• Charles Dibate Tjiane (2012–2018)

Oldest finisher

• Wally Hayward – 1989, 80 years. In 1954, winning Comrades for the fifth time, Hayward also was the oldest runner on the day, at the age of 45.

Permanent Green Numbers

When a runner completes their 10th Comrades (or achieves either 5 gold medals or 3 wins) they achieve their green number and keep their race number for life, the race number effectively being 'retired' only for use by that athlete. The race number may subsequently only be inherited by family members.

The following are holders (either earned or inherited) of race numbers 1 to 10:

1. Clive Crawley – 42 medals (1957–2000) (1 , 22 , 19 )
2. Wally Hayward – 7 medals (1930–1989) (4 , 1 , 2 ) / Steven Bure – 3 medals (2015–2018) (1 , 3 Bill Rowan)
3. Allen Bodill – 10 medals (1947–1968) (10 ) / Myles Bodill – 2 medals (1989–1994) (2 )
4. Nick Raubenheimber – 22 medals (1953–1975) (6 , 13 , 3 ) / Graham Raubenheimer – 11 medals (1980–1995) (4 , 6 ) / Blake Raubenheimer – 10 medals (2005–2017) (9 , 1 Bill Rowan)
5. Allan Ferguson – 36 medals (1948–1995) (3 , 12 , 21 )
6. John Woods – 11 medals (1952–1979) (1 , 8 , 2 )
7. Malcolm Hean – 14 medals (1962–1976) (9 , 5 )
8. unknown/not allocated
9. Jackie Mekler – 12 medals (1952–1985) (10 , 1 , 1 )
10. Fred Morrison – 11 medals (1938–1966) (2 , 9 )

Most medals – Green number records

Male Quadruple Green numbers

No female runner has yet achieved a quadruple green number

Medal holder	Medals	Medal span	Medal categories	Clubs
Barry Holland	47	1973–2019	22 , 18 , 6 Bill Rowan	Savages AC, Jeppe Quondam AC, Dolphin Coast Striders
Louis Massyn	47	1973–2019	10 , 30 , 6 Vic Clapham	Goudveld Multisport
Dave Rogers	45	1961–2013	3 , 26 , 13 , 3 Vic Clapham	Durban AC, Westville AC
Vic Boston	43	1977–2019	17 , 13 , 11 Bill Rowan, 1 Vic Clapham, 1 Robert Mtshali	Rocky Road Runners
Wietsche van der Westhuizen	42	1978-2019	6 , 24 , 7 Bill Rowan, 4 Vic Clapham	Asics Running Club, Bellville AC, Krugersdorp Road Runners, Macarthur Marathon Club
Mike Cowling	42	1975-2019	14 , 15 , 12 Bill Rowan, 1 Vic Clapham	Hilton Harriers, Saints AC, Sparten AC, Collegians Harriers
Clive Crawley	42	1957–2000	1 , 22 , 19	Savages AC
Zwelitsha Gono	42	1973-2019	14 , 21 , 1 Bill Rowan, 6 Vic Clapham	South Coast Striders
Dave Lowe	42	1974–2015	3 , 35 , 3 Bill Rowan, 1 Vic Clapham	Savages AC, Westville AC
Alan Robb	42	1974–2015	12 , 16 , 5 , 9 Bill Rowan	Germiston Callies Harriers, Rocky Road Runners
David Williams	41	1973-2019	1 , 32 , 8 Vic Clapham	Savages AC
Tommy Neitski	41	1977-2018	3 , 33 , 5 Vic Clapham	Sunshine AC

Female Triple Green Numbers

Medal holder	Medals	Medal span	Medal categories	Clubs
Kleintjie van Schalkwyk	34	1983–2018	26 , 7 Bill Rowan, 1 Vic Clapham	Hartenbos Drawwers
Patricia Fisher	31	1987–2019	19 , 12 Vic Clapham	Stella AC
Tilda Tearle	30	1984–2017	3 , 7 , 13 , 1 Bill Rowan, 6 Vic Clapham	Savages AC

International double Green numbers

• John Sneddon, 27 medals (1993-2019)
• Klaus Neumann, 26 medals (1993-2019)
• Bruce Matthews, 20 medals (1967-2001)

Most consecutive medals

Medal holder	Medals	Achieved in
Barry Holland	47	2019
Louis Massyn	47	2019
Vic Boston	43	2019
Wietsche van der Westhuizen	42	2019
Dave Lowe	42	2015
Alan Robb	42	2015
Tommy Neitski	41	2017
Kenny Craig	40	1998
Riel Hugo	40	2008
Shaun Wood	40	2017

Winners

Key:   Current course record

Past Comrades winners
Year	u/d	Time (Men)	Men's Champion	Club	Time (Women)	Women's Champion	Club
2020	race cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic
2019	u	5:31:33	Edward Mothibi	Nedbank RC GN	5:58:53	Gerda Steyn	Nedbank RC JHB
2018	d	5:26:34	Bongmusa Mthembu3	Arthur Ford AC	6:10:03	Ann Ashworth	Massmart AC CG
2017	u	5:35:34	Bongmusa Mthembu2	Arthur Ford AC	6:27:35	Camille Herron	Nedbank RC International
2016	d	5:18:19	David Gatebe	TomTom AC	6:25:55	Charne Bosman	Nedbank RC CG
2015	u	5:38:36	Gift Kelehe	Samancor Chrome MC	6:12:22	Caroline Wöstmann	Nedbank RC
2014	d	5:28:29	Bongmusa Mthembu	Nedbank RC KZN	6:18:12	Eleanor Greenwood	Nedbank International
2013	u	5:32:09	Claude Moshiywa	Nedbank RC GN	6:27:09	Elena Nurgalieva8	Maxed Elite International
2012	d	5:31:03	Ludwick Mamabolo	Maxed Elite KZN	6:07:12	Elena Nurgalieva7	Maxed Elite International
2011	u	5:32:45	Stephen Muzhingi3	Formula 1 Bluff Meats AC	6:24:11	Elena Nurgalieva6	Maxed Elite International
2010	d	5:29:01	Stephen Muzhingi2	Formula 1 Bluff Meats AC	6:13:03	Elena Nurgalieva5	Maxed Elite International
2009	d	5:23:27	Stephen Muzhingi	Formula 1 Bluff Meats AC	6:12:08	Olesya Nurgalieva2	Maxed Elite International
2008	u	5:24:49	Leonid Shvetsov2	Harmony International	6:14:38	Elena Nurgalieva4	Maxed Elite International
2007	d	5:20:49	Leonid Shvetsov	Harmony International	6:10:11	Olesya Nurgalieva	Harmony International
2006	u	5:35:19	Oleg Kharitonov	Harmony International	6:09:24	Elena Nurgalieva3	Russia
2005	d	5:27:10	Sipho Ngomane	Harmony AC MPL	5:58:50	Tatyana Zhirkova	Russia
2004	u	5:31:22	Vladimir Kotov3	Maxed Elite PE	6:11:15	Elena Nurgalieva2	Premier AC
2003	d	5:28:52	Fusi Nhlapo	Liberty Nike AC CG	6:07:46	Elena Nurgalieva	Russia
2002	u	5:30:59	Vladimir Kotov2	Maxed Elite International	6:14:21	Maria Bak3	Germany
2001	d	5:25:51	Andrew Kelehe	Rentmeester Fattis & Monis GN	6:13:53	Elvira Kolpakova	Russia
2000	u	5:25:33	Vladimir Kotov	Maxed Elite International	6:15:35	Maria Bak2	Germany
1999	d	5:30:10	Jaroslaw Janicki	Maxed Elite International	6:31:03	Birgit Lennartz	Germany
1998	u	5:26:25	Dmitri Grishine2	Rentmeester Fattis & Monis WP	6:38:57	Rae Bisschoff	Rocky Road Runners
1997	d	5:28:37	Charl Mattheus	Rentmeester Fattis & Monis WP	5:58:24	Ann Trason2	USA
1996	u	5:29:33	Dmitri Grishine	Rentmeester Fattis & Monis WP	6:13:23	Ann Trason	USA
1995	d	5:34:02	Shaun Meiklejohn	Maxed Elite KZN	6:22:57	Maria Bak	Germany
1994	u	5:38:39	Alberto Salazar	USA	6:41:23	Valentina Lyakhova	Comrades International
1993	d	5:39:41	Charly Doll	Germany	6:55:07	Tilda Tearle	Savages AC
1992	u	5:46:11	Jetman Msutu	unknown	6:51:05	Frances van Blerk	unknown
1991	d	5:40:53	Nick Bester	unknown	6:08:19	Frith van der Merwe3	Benoni Northerns AC
1990	u	5:40:25	Bruce Fordyce9	Rand AC	7:02:00	Naidene Harrison	Ladysmith AC
1989	d	5:35:51	Samuel Tshabalala	unknown	5:54:43	Frith van der Merwe2	Benoni Northerns AC
1988	u	5:27:42	Bruce Fordyce8	Rand AC	6:32:56	Frith van der Merwe	Benoni Northerns AC
1987	u	5:37:01	Bruce Fordyce7	Rand AC	6:48:42	/ Helen Lucre3	Hillcrest Villagers AC
1986	d	5:24:07	Bruce Fordyce6	Rand AC	6:55:01	/ Helen Lucre2	Hillcrest Villagers AC
1985	u	5:37:01	Bruce Fordyce5	University of Witwatersrand	6:53:24	/ Helen Lucre	Hillcrest Villagers AC
1984	d	5:27:18	Bruce Fordyce4	University of Witwatersrand	6:46:35	Lindsay Weight2	University of Cape Town AC
1983	u	5:30:12	Bruce Fordyce3	University of Witwatersrand	7:12:56	Lindsay Weight	University of Cape Town AC
1982	d	5:34:22	Bruce Fordyce2	University of Witwatersrand	7:04:59	Cheryl Winn	Pirates Road Running
1981	u	5:37:28	Bruce Fordyce	University of Witwatersrand	6:44:35	Isavel Roche-Kelly2	University of Cape Town AC
1980	d	5:38:25	Alan Robb4	Germiston Callies Harriers	7:18:	Isavel Roche-Kelly	University of Cape Town AC
1979	u	5:45:02	Piet Vorster	Collegians Harriers	8:22:41	Jan Mallen	unknown
1978	d	5:29:14	Alan Robb3	Germiston Callies Harriers	8:25:	Lettie van Zyl3	Germiston Callies Harriers
1977	u	5:47:00	Alan Robb2	Germiston Callies Harriers	8:58:	Lettie van Zyl2	Germiston Callies Harriers
1976	d	5:40:53	Alan Robb	Germiston Callies Harriers	9:05:	Lettie van Zyl	Germiston Callies Harriers
1975	u	5:53:00	Derek Preiss2	Westville AC	10:08:	Elizabeth Cavanagh2	Estcourt AC
1974	u	6:02:49	Derek Preiss	Westville AC	10:40:	Alet Kleynhans	Johannesburg Harriers AC
1973	d	5:39:09	Dave Levick	University of Cape Town AC	8:40:	Maureen Holland4	unknown
1972	u	5:48:57	Mick Orton	Tipton Harriers	9:26:	Maureen Holland3	unknown
1971	d	5:47:06	Dave Bagshaw3	Savages AC	8:37:	Maureen Holland2	unknown
1970	u	5:51:27	Dave Bagshaw2	Savages AC	10:50:	Elizabeth Cavanagh	Estcourt AC
1969	d	5:45:35	Dave Bagshaw	Savages AC
1968	u	6:01:11	Jack Mekler5	Germiston Callies Harriers
1967	d	5:54:10	Manie Kuhn	Savages AC
1966	u	6:14:07	Tommy Malone	Germiston Callies Harriers	9:30:00	Maureen Holland	unknown
1965	d	5:51:09	Bernard Gomersall	unknown	10:07:	Mavis Hutchinson	Germiston Callies Harriers
1964	u	6:09:54	Jack Mekler4	Germiston Callies Harriers
1963	d	5:51:20	Jack Mekler3	Germiston Callies Harriers
1962	u	5:57:05	John Smith	unknown
1961	d	6:07:07	George Claassen	Germiston Callies Harriers
1960	u	5:56:32	Jack Mekler2	Germiston Callies Harriers
1959	d	6:28:11	Trevor Allen2	Durban AC
1958	u	6:26:26	Jack Mekler	Germiston Callies Harriers
1957	d	6:13:55	Mercer Davies	Germiston Callies Harriers
1956	u	6:33:35	Gerald Walsh2	Durban AC
1955	d	6:06:32	Gerald Walsh	Durban AC
1954	u	6:12:55	Wally Hayward5	Germiston Callies Harriers
1953	d	5:52:30	Wally Hayward4	Germiston Callies Harriers
1952	u	7:00:02	Trevor Allen	Durban AC
1951	d	6:14:08	Wally Hayward3	Germiston Callies Harriers
1950	u	6:46:25	Wally Hayward2	Germiston Callies Harriers
1949	d	6:23:21	Reg Allison	unknown
1948	u	7:13:52	William Savage2	Durban AC
1947	d	6:41:05	Hardy Ballington5	unknown
1946	u	7:02:40	Bill Cochrane2	unknown
1941–45	race not held due to World War II
1940	u	6:39:23	Allen Boyce	Durban AC
1939	d	6:22:05	Johnny Coleman2	unknown
1938	u	6:32:26	Hardy Ballington4	unknown
1937	d	6:23:11	Johnny Coleman	unknown
1936	u	6:46:14	Hardy Ballington3	unknown
1935	d	6:30:05	Bill Cochrane	unknown
1934	u	7:09:03	Hardy Ballington2	unknown
1933	d	6:50:37	Hardy Ballington	unknown	9:31:25	Geraldine Watson3	unknown
1932	u	7:41:58	William Savage	Germiston Callies Harriers	11:56:00	Geraldine Watson2	unknown
1931	d	7:16:30	Phil Masterton-Smith	Natal Carbineers AC	11 hrs +	Geraldine Watson	unknown
1930	u	7:27:26	Wally Hayward	Germiston Callies Harriers
1929	d	7:52:00	Darrell Dale	unknown
1928	u	7:49:07	Frank Sutton	unknown
1927	d	6:40:56	Arthur Newton5	unknown
1926	u	6:57:46	Harry Phillips	unknown
1925	d	6:24:45	Arthur Newton4	unknown
1924	u	6:58:22	Arthur Newton3	unknown
1923	d	6:56:00	Arthur Newton2	unknown	11:35:00	Frances Hayward	unknown
1922	u	8:40:00	Arthur Newton	unknown
1921	d	8:59:00	Bill Rowan	unknown

Waypoints

Course waypoints and distances
Landmark	Distance	Location
Pietermaritzburg City Hall: down run 5:30 starting point	0 km	29°36′07″S 30°22′46″E
Scottsville racecourse: up run finish till 17:30	0 km	29°36′42″S 30°23′56″E
Polly Shortts (summit): up run 16:40 cutoff	7 km	29°39′17″S 30°25′34″E
Polly Shortts (bottom)	9 km	29°39′30″S 30°26′32″E
Ashburton (Little Pollys)	10 km	29°40′02″S 30°26′51″E
Lion Park: down run 8:00 cutoff	14 km	29°41′41″S 30°29′22″E
Highest point (2,850 ft / 870 m): up run 15:00 cutoff	18 km	29°42′50″S 30°29′43″E
Camperdown	25 km	29°43′41″S 30°32′27″E
Cato Ridge: up run 13:40, down run 9:50 cutoffs	30 km	29°43′59″S 30°35′25″E
Harrison Flats	32 km	29°43′37″S 30°36′42″E
Ethembeni School	34 km	29°43′31″S 30°39′15″E
Inchanga (summit)	37 km	29°44′40″S 30°40′41″E
Halfway mark Drummond: up, down run 11:40 cutoffs	43 km	29°44′58″S 30°42′08″E
Arthur's Seat	44 km	29°45′13″S 30°42′21″E
Wall of Honour	45 km	29°45′15″S 30°42′27″E
Alverstone	47 km	29°45′32″S 30°43′19″E
Botha's Hill (summit)	49 km	29°44′56″S 30°44′12″E
Kearsney College	51 km	29°45′30″S 30°45′08″E
Hillcrest	54 km	29°46′48″S 30°45′49″E
Winston Park: up run 10:00, down run 13:30 cutoffs	56 km	29°47′39″S 30°47′06″E
Kloof	61 km	29°47′28″S 30°49′58″E
Fields Hill	64 km	29°47′38″S 30°50′57″E
Pinetown: up run 08:10, down run 14:50 cutoffs	67 km	29°49′01″S 30°52′00″E
Cowies Hill (summit)	72 km	29°49′45″S 30°53′09″E
Westville	78 km	29°49′57″S 30°55′56″E
45th Cutting: down run 16:30 cutoff	80 km	29°49′58″S 30°58′07″E
Durban City Hall: up run 5:30 starting point	87 km	29°51′29″S 31°01′32″E
Moses Mabhida Stadium: down run finish till 17:30	90 km	29°49′40″S 31°01′50″E

First South African

A plaque in honour of Robert Mtshali, a finisher in 1935, though non-white athletes only competed officially since 1975. The Robert Mtshali medal was introduced in 2019.

As the race has grown in profile globally, and since the end of sporting isolation, international runners have come to dominate the race for periods of time. As a result, the first South African home each year is also now awarded a separate prize.

The following have had the distinction of being the first male and female South African across the finish line (overall finishing position in brackets), in years where the winner was an international runner:

Men

• 2011 Fanie Matshipa, Samcor Marathon Club PE, (2nd)
• 2010 Ludwick Mamabolo, Maxed Elite CGA, (2nd)
• 2009 Charles Tjiane, Maxed Elite CGA, (3rd)
• 2008 Harmans Mokgadi, Nedbank Running Club GN, (6th)
• 2007 Mncedisi Mkhize, Maxed Elite CGA, (3rd)
• 2006 Brian Zondi, Harmony AC CG, (2nd)
• 2004 Willie Mtolo, Harmony AC CG, (4th)
• 2002 Willie Mtolo, Harmony AC CG, (2nd)
• 2000 Donovan Wright, Maxed Elite PE, (4th)
• 1999 Andrew Kelehe, Rentmeester Fattis & Monis WP, (2nd)
• 1998 Charl Mattheus, Rentmeester Fattis & Monis WP, (2nd)
• 1996 Nick Bester, Tuks Road Runners Club, (2nd)
• 1994 Nick Bester, Tuks Road Runners Club, (2nd)
• 1993 Theo Rafiri, none, (2nd)
• 1972 Dave Bagshaw, Savages AC, (2nd)
• 1965 Jackie Mekler, Germiston Callies Harriers, (2nd)
• 1962 Jackie Mekler, Germiston Callies Harriers, (2nd)

Women

• 2017 Charné Bosman, Nedbank Running Club GN, (2nd)
• 2014 Caroline Wostmann, Nedbank Running Club GN, (6th)
• 2013 Charné Bosman, Bonitas AC CG, (5th)
• 2012 Kerry Koen, Bonitas AC CG, (4th)
• 2011 Farwa Mentoor, Bonitas AC CG, (5th)
• 2010 Farwa Mentoor, Bonitas AC CG, (5th)
• 2009 Farwa Mentoor, Bonitas AC CG, (5th)
• 2008 Riana van Niekerk, Maxed Elite CGA, (6th)
• 2007 Farwa Mentoor, Harmony AC GN, (4th)
• 2006 Farwa Mentoor, Harmony AC GN, (6th)
• 2005 Farwa Mentoor, Harmony AC GN, (4th)
• 2004 Farwa Mentoor, Harmony AC GN, (3rd)
• 2003 Farwa Mentoor, Harmony AC GN, (8th)
• 2002 Farwa Mentoor, Adidas AC, (4th)
• 2001 Deborah Mattheus, Harmony AC GW, (2nd)
• 2000 Grace de Oliveira, Maxed Elite KZN, (3rd)
• 1999 Grace de Oliveira, Maxed Elite KZN, (2nd)
• 1997 Charlotte Noble, none, (5th)
• 1996 Jowaine Parrott, Tygervalley Bellville AC, (4th)
• 1995 Helene Joubert, Agape AC GN, (2nd)
• 1994 Sanet Beukes, Westville AC, (4th)

Medals and demographics

There is a lot of prestige associated with a Comrades Marathon Green Number. As a result, many athletes aim to complete at least 10 races, which is evident as a clear peak in the distribution of medal counts. The introduction of the back-to-back medal (for running two years in succession) resulted in another peak for athletes with 2 medals.

Charts

• 
  Comrades runners per age group
• 
  Finishers as a function of age and number of medals
• 
  Recent winners

Popular culture

The Long Run was a 2001 film set in 1999, in which a retired running coach trains a woman for the race. 'Comrades' was a 2008 film about seven diverse runners attempting the race.

External links

• Comrades Marathon Association
• Comrades tables
• Detailed profile of the 2009 Comrades route (PDF)
• The Long Run. A movie about the Comrades marathon
• The Comrades marathon, by Brad Morgan
• The Famous Comrades Marathon, by Amby Burfoot (Account of the 2007 race)
• 1920 - 1925: A Soldier's Dream
• FT article