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Spirit of Humanity Celebrated at Comrades Awards

Adnaan MohamedComrades MarathonLeave a Comment on Spirit of Humanity Celebrated at Comrades Awards
Adnaan Mohamed

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA), in partnership with the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), hosted its annual Spirit of Comrades Awards Gala in Durban on Friday, 24 October 2025.

This prestigious celebration pays tribute to the heart and soul of The Ultimate Human Race, recognising the selflessness, courage, perseverance, and Ubuntu that define the Comrades Marathon.

A cherished tradition since 1996, the GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards honour three extraordinary individuals each year, not only for their running achievements but for exemplifying the true spirit of humanity that makes the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon legendary.

Each recipient receives a one-ounce pure gold medallion, symbolising their golden contribution to the Comrades legacy.

Louis Massyn’s 50th Comrades: A Golden Finish to a Lifetime of Grit

Louis Massyn has run his way into history books and hearts alike. On his 75th birthday, the Comrades Marathon veteran received the first-ever Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Lifetime Achievement Award, marking an unprecedented milestone: 50 Comrades Marathons completed.

It’s a record as rare as a blue moon over Polly Shorts, forged through decades of sweat, resolve, and an unbreakable bond with The Ultimate Human Race.

“I was hooked,” Massyn recalls of his first Comrades back in 1973, and hooked he remained for the next half-century.

Year after year, while others came and went, Massyn laced up and showed up. He clocked 47 consecutive finishes from 1973 to 2019, then, after the pandemic hiatus, added three more from 2023 to 2025 to reach that golden tally — at the age of 74. His lifetime commitment to the Comrades is a masterclass in resilience, grit, and grace.

CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo described his achievement as “beyond extraordinary,” adding: “This award honours an athlete who has delivered exceptional performances over an extended period of time, or broken a significant milestone or barrier associated with the Comrades Marathon. Louis has done both.”

The 2025 GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards Gala, hosted in Durban in partnership with the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), once again celebrated runners and volunteers who embody the race’s soul, selflessness, perseverance and Ubuntu.

“GEMS is proud to partner with the Comrades Marathon Association in celebrating the Spirit of Comrades,” said Dr Vuyo Gqola, GEMS Chief Operations Officer.

“This partnership aligns with our mission to promote health and wellness and embodies our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can pursue their dreams.”

This year, the CMA received 368 nominations, recognising stories that remind the world why Comrades is called The Ultimate Human Race. Alongside Massyn, several other heroes of heart and humanity took centre stage.

Celebrating the Spirit of Humanity

Sphamandla “Spha” Maduna, who has cerebral palsy, turned heads and touched hearts when he completed his first Comrades in 10:52:46, proving that “disability does not mean inability.”

Prince Nemutanzhela, a novice from Irene Athletic Club, ran the race just weeks after surviving a violent home invasion that claimed his friend’s life and left his wife injured. Finishing in 11:48:41, he became a living symbol of courage over tragedy.

Pogiso Maroku, a soldier from the Pretoria Military Marathon Club, embodied the Comrades creed of camaraderie when he sacrificed his own race time to help an older fellow soldier across the line, despite running injured himself.

The three recipients of GEMS Spirit of Comrades Awards in 2025 are (from left) Prince Nemutanzhela, Sphamandla Maduna and Pogiso Maroku. Images courtesy Comrades Marathon Association.

The night also honoured those who continue to uplift the Comrades community beyond the road. Bob Norris, long-time Daily Dispatch journalist and veteran of the press tent, was named CMA Journalist of the Year for decades of storytelling that kept the Comrades flame alive.

Philanthropist runner Mahesh Ratanjee earned Top Charity Fundraiser of the Year after raising over R320,000 for the Community Chest, continuing his mission to support children’s development in memory of his late daughter.

The newly introduced Top Club to Raise Funds for Charity Award went to Run Zone Athletics Club, whose members collectively raised R176,267 through the Race4Charity initiative.

Portuguese ultrarunner Tiago Dionisio was crowned Top International Ambassador, recognised for his global promotion of the Comrades brand and his epic fundraising rides from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg.

From Texas, Steven Maliszewski received the inaugural Hermes Award for his tireless advocacy for the Ethembeni School, having raised over R1.5 million since 2012.

The CMA Chairperson’s Award went to Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase, a Rwandan genocide survivor who rose from car guard to banker and, this year, a Comrades finisher in 11:58:45, symbolising the indomitable human spirit.

Finally, Long Service Awards honoured Lauretta Dunn (45 years of volunteer service), and long-time partners Biddulphs International and Form-scaff, for their decades of logistical and structural support that keep the race running like clockwork.

As Ngcobo summed up, “The incredible stories shared tonight reflect the very soul of the Comrades, ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”

And at the centre of it all stood Louis Massyn, the man who has run fifty Comrades and outpaced time itself. On his 75th birthday, with the road behind him and a nation cheering him on, he showed the world that endurance isn’t about distance, it’s about heart.

Comrades Marathon Opens 2026 Entries with Priority for Green Numbers and CMA Members

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has announced that entries for the 2026 Comrades Marathon will open at 12:00 on Monday, 27 October 2025, with the first week reserved exclusively for Green Number Club runners and CMA Members.

Entries for all other athletes will open on Monday, 3 November at 10:00, and close on 28 November, or earlier if the entry cap of 22,000 is reached. The CMA confirmed that this will be the only entry window for the 2026 race.

“This early entry window is a token of appreciation to all Green Number Club athletes and CMA Members for their many years of loyalty and dedication to The Ultimate Human Race,” said CMA General Manager Alain Dalais.

“We are incredibly proud of our Green Number Club members and inspired by their commitment. Similarly, we value and appreciate our CMA Members, who take a greater interest in everything to do with the event.”

Only CMA members who signed up or renewed by 23 October 2025 will qualify for early entry.

Recognising Loyalty

The Green Number Club includes runners who have completed the Comrades Marathon 10 times, earned five gold medals, or won the race three times. The early entry opportunity was introduced in 2025 and extended this year to include CMA Members.

“This offer honours the dedication and perseverance of athletes who have achieved permanent Green Number status and those who support the race as CMA Members,” said Dalais.

Entry Fees Unchanged

Entries can be completed online at www.comrades.com or via the official Comrades Marathon app. The CMA confirmed that entry fees remain unchanged for the third consecutive year.

“In our continuing effort to make the race accessible to as many runners as we can, we have kept the entry fees the same since 2023,” said Dalais.

“Also, as a further reward for exceptional commitment, the entry fee is waived for runners who have earned 25 or more Comrades medals.”

Entry fees for 2026:

  • South Africa: R1200
  • Rest of Africa: R2000
  • International: R4500

Runners may pay the full amount immediately or in two instalments, with the balance due by end-February 2026. Up to 1,500 disadvantaged athletes will be able to apply for reduced fees of up to 50% through the Comrades Runners’ Relief Fund.

Qualification and Substitutions

The qualification period for the 2026 Comrades Marathon runs from 9 June 2025 to 4 May 2026. To qualify, runners must complete an officially timed 42.2km marathon in under five hours.

The deadline for submitting qualifying details, club information and seeding upgrades is 4 May 2026.

The withdrawal window will run from 16 to 30 March 2026, followed by the substitution window from 1 to 15 April 2026.

“The athlete substituting in will pay the full 2026 entry fee to the CMA,” said Dalais. “The withdrawing athlete will be charged a 15% administrative fee and refunded 85% of their entry fee. No money or vouchers will be exchanged between athletes.”

The 2026 Up Run

The 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon will also mark the 50th Up Run, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, on Sunday, 14 June 2026. The race will start at 5:30am outside Durban City Hall and finish 12 hours later at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse, covering approximately 87km.

The official race campaign, “Ska Fela Moya” is Setswana for Don’t Give Up. It embodies the determination and resilience that have defined the Comrades spirit for nearly a century.

Photo: Tobias Ginsberg

Comrades Marathon Loses a Humble Hero

Adnaan MohamedComrades Marathon, Features, NewsLeave a Comment on Comrades Marathon Loses a Humble Hero

By Adnaan Mohamed

Farewell to Jetman Msuthu (1957–2025)

South Africa has bid farewell to one of its true road-running heroes. Jetman Msuthu, Comrades Marathon winner and Green Number 7532, passed away on 15 September 2025 at the age of 68, just days after the loss of his wife.

Born in the village of Lukholo near Bizana in the Eastern Cape, Msuthu began running at 18 and carried his stride into history. Between 1988 and 2016, he completed 14 Comrades Marathons, collecting three gold medals, 10 silvers and a bronze.

His greatest moment came in 1992 when, after finishing second, he was later crowned champion following Charl Mattheus’s disqualification.

That victory made him only the second man of colour, after Sam Tshabalala, to win the Ultimate Human Race.

Though denied the joy of breaking the winner’s tape on race day, Msuthu wore the mantle of champion with pride and humility for the rest of his life.

He also represented South Africa at the 1993 100km World Championships in Belgium, helping secure team gold. His final Comrades, in 2016, was a steady farewell run in 9:38:48.

Tributes have flowed from across the running fraternity. CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo called him “a legend who ran out of passion, not for prize money.”

Former chair Cheryl Winn said, “He carried the mantle of champion with enormous pride and humility.”

Nine-time winner Bruce Fordyce remembered him as gracious and humble, while 1991 winner Nick Bester recalled him as both friend and teammate.

“It’s with deep sadness that I heard about the passing of Jetman, a friend and teammate representing South Africa at the World 100km Championships in Belgium in 1993, where we won the gold medal in the team category,” recalls Nick.

“Our team consisted of Cornet Matomane, Zephania Ndaba, Charl Mattheus, Mark Page, Jetman and I, with Bruce Fordyce and the late Vreni Welch as our team managers.

“Charl and Mark did not finish the race, so Cornet, Zephania, Jetman and I counted for the team prize. Condolences to his family – he will be missed!”

Jetman Msuthu’s name is etched in the history of the Comrades Marathon and in the hearts of those he inspired. His stride has stilled, but his legacy will continue to pace generations of runners.

The Champion Who Carried the Comrades Spirit

“A legend who ran out of passion, not for prize money.” — CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo

“He carried the mantle of champion with enormous pride and humility.” — Former CMA Chairperson Cheryl Winn

“My favourite memory of Jetman is how humble and gracious he was.” — Nine-time winner Bruce Fordyce

“Our friend and teammate… he will be missed.” — 1991 Comrades winner Nick Bester

Rest in peace, Comrades Champion.

Comrades New Race Director Sue Forge Promises an Exceptional Experience

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Sue Forge: Image courtesy Comrades Marathon Association.

By Adnaan Mohamed

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has appointed Sue Forge, a seasoned event specialist, as its new Race Director, a role created in a strategic shake-up to keep the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon at the front of the pack.

The CMA Board split the duties of General Manager and Race Director to sharpen focus on innovation, safety and the runner experience. Forge was chosen after a rigorous, independent process that drew more than 100 applications.

Sue Forge, who boasts over 20 years’ experience in the industry, has led the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series SPAR Women’s Challenge, the Two Oceans Marathon NPC and the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, as well as serving Western Province Athletics. She has also contributed to international events such as the Confederation of African Athletics Cross Country Championships.

“It is an honour to take on the role of Race Director,” says Sue, who has taken on the huge responsibility in leading the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon.

“The Comrades Marathon is more than just a race, it is a symbol of endurance, camaraderie, and South African spirit.

“I look forward to working with the CMA Board, staff, sponsors, and the incredible volunteers to make the 99th Comrades and the centenary event the best yet, ensuring safety, innovation, and an exceptional experience for every runner.”

Known for her deep industry knowledge, collaborative management style, and runner centric approach, Sue has consistently delivered safe, high impact events while building strong relationships across sponsors, federations, government bodies, suppliers, and local communities.

Her appointment follows a rigorous selection process from over 100 candidates. From November 1, she will take full-time charge of race operations, reporting to CMA General Manager Alain Dalais.

Alain is confident she’ll keep the event moving smoothly:

“Sue brings a wealth of experience, passion and dedication to this role. I know that the Comrades community will all benefit from this appointment.”

CMA Chair Mqondisi Ngcobo echoed that sentiment:

“As we approach our centenary, appointing a dedicated Race Director ensures that Comrades remains at the forefront of global ultramarathons.

“Sue brings unparalleled expertise, a proven track record in major sporting events, and a passion for the running community.”

But Sue herself sums it up best:

“The Comrades Marathon is a journey that unites people. To be entrusted with guiding it into its 99th and 100th races is a privilege I’ll carry every step of the way.”