The numbers attached toGerda Steyn’s career are extraordinary, though the woman herself continues to speak with the calm certainty of someone more interested in preparation than praise.
On Sunday, the Hollywood Athletics Clubstar will line up in Durban chasing a fifth Comrades crown, convinced that another carefully crafted build-up has left her exactly where she wants to be.
“I can’t believe we are here again. It feels like yesterday that we were lining up for the down run of 2025,” Steyn told Modern Athlete in an exclusive interview.
“I’m very excited to line up this year. The training has gone really well. The Up Run is my favourite direction. I’m really excited, so I can’t wait for Sunday.”
That preference is rooted in both emotion and experience.
Steyn says the climb to Pietermaritzburg rewards discipline, patience and intelligent pacing, qualities that have become trademarks of her racing style.
“I think the Up Run suits me as a type of athlete that I am. It is a lot to do with pacing yourself well, conserving your energy very well in the first half and running smart. You need a lot of strength to compete well in the Up Run.”
It also carries sentimental value.
“It was my first ever Comrades Marathon, so that’s how I fell in love with the race. To line up again this year is very special.”
As in previous campaigns, Steyn spent much of her preparation in the Alps following the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon, using the relentless climbs and descents to sharpen her endurance.
“I’ve always done the exact same routine. I feel like it’s the right thing for me to do. I can focus 100% on running and you either go steep up or steep down, which really complements the training.”
She returned to South Africa earlier than usual and settled in Dullstroom, where familiar surroundings and sessions alongside Hollywood teammates provided a valuable psychological lift.
“We were fortunate enough to share the roads with Tete, Edward and Johannes and the rest of the Hollywood guys. They are such a positive group with a wonderful dynamic. It was a great way to finish the training and line up with excitement.”
With another slightly shortened Up Run route, speculation around a possible course record has gathered momentum.
Steyn refuses to be distracted.
“My first goal is really to defend my title. If that comes with a record and I feel good on the day and everything goes according to plan, I’m sure it is possible.”
Looking back at her preparation compared to 2024, she believes there is room for something special.
“I think there’s room for it. Everything has to go according to plan and I mustn’t focus on the record so much that I forget to focus.”
It is a mindset that has carried her to the summit of South African ultra-distance running before.
The global fitness racing phenomenon reached historic heights as the Virgin Active HYROX Johannesburg event completely rewrote the record books over the weekend of 30 – 31 May 2026. Taking over the expansive halls of the Johannesburg Expo Centre at Nasrec, the event officially became the largest HYROX competition on the African continent to date, proving that the local appetite for fitness racing is growing at an unprecedented rate.
As the official title partner, Virgin Active anchored an electric, high-octane weekend that brought together elite competitors, first-time racers, and a massive community of fitness enthusiasts.
The weekend delivered staggering participation across the board, setting a soaring new benchmark for African fitness racing. Over 8,100 athletes stepped into the Roxzone to conquer the signature HYROX format (alternating eight 1km runs with eight grueling functional workout stations) to form the largest starting field in South African history. Among them were 595 competitors who took on the Pro divisions, battling both the ticking clock and Johannesburg’s notorious 1,750-meter altitude.
This historic turnout also signaled a powerful shift in the sport’s demographics. Women made up an impressive 55% of the total field, while the highly competitive 30–34 age bracket emerged as the weekend’s largest contingent, accounting for more than 21% of all racers. Proving the event’s massive regional draw, this competitive spirit extended far beyond South African borders, pulling in prominent athlete squads and roaring support crews from Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini.
The incredible athletic performance was matched point-for-point by the supportive energy of the spectators. A record-shattering crowd of over 9,000 passionate spectators packed the Expo Centre, making it the largest spectator turnout the event has ever seen, turning the venue into a roaring cauldron of support.
“Eight thousand one hundred athletes is the largest crowd we’ve ever seen at a HYROX event on this continent,” said Dean Kowarski, Group CEO of Virgin Active. “That’s a signal worth paying attention to. People want more than just a place to train, they want community, a challenge, and a wellness ecosystem that supports all of it. And we’re proud that Virgin Active is built for exactly this moment.”
Simon Goldsbrough, HYROX South Africa Race Director, echoed this excitement: “Johannesburg completely raised the bar. The energy inside the Expo Centre across both days
was absolutely magic. To achieve a 55% female field and our highest athlete count to date shows that the ‘sport of the everyday athlete’ has found a massive, permanent home in South Africa. We are deeply grateful to our partners and the roaring crowd that carried these competitors across the finish line.”
The historic scale and smooth execution of the race were made possible through the collaboration of major global and local lifestyle brands. Alongside title partner Virgin Active, an incredible roster of event partners brought world-class activation zones, recovery lounges, and nutritional support to the venue.
With record participation, a female-led field, a massive cross-border turnout, and unparalleled crowd support, the May 2026 Virgin Active HYROX Johannesburg event solidifies fitness racing not just as a passing trend, but as one of the fastest-growing mainstays in African sports culture.
About HYROX:
HYROX is the Global Fitness Race for Every Body. Launched in 2017, HYROX has become the world’s largest indoor fitness race, hosted in over 30 countries. The standardised format allows athletes of all levels to compete against their own personal bests and a global leaderboard.
About Virgin Active:
Virgin Active is South Africa’s leading health and wellness club network. Through its multi-year partnership with HYROX, Virgin Active provides specialised training programmes, accredited trainers, and world-class recovery facilities to support the fitness journey of every South African athlete.
For more information, race results, or to register for upcoming events, visit www.hyroxsa.com. Media Contact:
Cape Town has crossed a finish line decades in the making.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathonhas officially become the first Abbott World Marathon Majoron African soil after passing the second and final stage of its assessment process, securing its place among the sport’s most prestigious races.
From 2027, Cape Town will stand alongside Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York in what has long been marathon running’s most exclusive club, a landmark moment for a continent that has produced generations of distance-running greats.
“After watching the race grow in size and stature during its candidacy and also seeing the resilience and dedication of the team lead so wonderfully by Clark Gardner, Africa’s first Major has finally arrived.The unique culture, the welcome from the people of the city and the wonderful setting Cape Town provides will bring a whole new dimension to our series. I know runners in Africa and across the world will have a phenomenal experience at this race.”
The announcement marks the culmination of years of planning and community support, with organisers repeatedly highlighting the role played by runners, volunteers, clubs, sponsors and city partners in helping the event meet the demanding criteria.
“This achievement belongs to every person who believed in and committed to this vision,” said race director and CEO Clark Gardner.
“We could never have reached this moment alone. Our runners carried us to the numbers we needed, our sponsors and partners stood firm beside us even when the 2025 race could not go ahead, and our supporters, club captains, residents and service providers each played their part. The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon stands as proof that when Africa comes together, we can achieve anything. This victory belongs to all of them.”
The significance stretches far beyond one city or one race.
For years, African athletes have dominated the global marathon scene while many recreational runners faced the financial burden of travelling overseas to experience a Major. Cape Town’s elevation changes that equation, with organisers committing to keeping two-thirds of race entries available to African participants.
Sanlam Group CEO Paul Hanratty described the announcement as “a collective victory”.
“For 13 years, Sanlam has been part of this journey, walking alongside the event as a committed partner and supporting its growth into a world-class platform. We hope this moment inspires people across Africa to dream bigger, go further and live with confidence.”
The event also carries significant economic value, with projections suggesting it could contribute around R800 million through tourism, accommodation and related spending.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. Image Fahwaaz Cornelius
“For Cape Town to be the home of an Abbott World Marathon Majors race is an incredible moment for our city,” said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
“Achieving this milestone will contribute greatly to Cape Town’s economy, inspire future generations of runners, and leave a legacy for the sport across Africa.”
For a continent that has long supplied many of marathon running’s brightest stars, the road has finally curved home. Africa is no longer chasing the world’s biggest races. It now hosts one.
Defending championGerda Steyn believes every Comrades Marathonrunner reaches a point where determination matters more than physical strength, with the 2026 edition set to celebrate the 50th official Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
Steyn’s message comes as thousands prepare for one of South Africa’s most iconic sporting events, a race renowned for its unforgiving climbs and emotional finish-line drama.
“Comrades will always humble you at some point in the journey,” said the South African Olympian and ultra-marathon star. “The hardest moments are often where the race truly begins mentally. Sometimes all it takes is one reminder to keep moving forward.”
The 2026 race also embraces the theme“Ska Fela Moya”, meaning “Don’t Give Up”, a message that reflects the resilience associated with the Comrades Marathon and the mental battle Steyn believes defines the event.
Another highlight will be the celebration of the Green Number Club, reserved for athletes who have completed 10 or more Comrades Marathons, earned five gold medals or claimed three victories. Their permanent race numbers remain among the event’s most respected symbols of consistency and endurance.
The 50th official Up Runadds further significance to this year’s race, with competitors facing famous climbs including Cowies Hill, Fields Hill and Polly Shortts before reaching Pietermaritzburg.
OMO, now in its second year of involvement with the ultra-marathon, says its Stay Unbeatable campaign aligns closely with the resilience displayed by runners and supporters throughout the event.
“At OMO, we celebrate the people who keep going when life gets tough, whether it’s runners pushing through pain, families supporting from the sidelines, or everyday South Africans overcoming stains in their own lives. That’s why Comrades is such a powerful platform for our Stay Unbeatable message. It reflects the determination, heart, and refusal to give up that inspire the nation every year.”
The race’s emotional climax will once again arrive at the 12-hour cut-off, where exhausted runners chase the finish line against the clock in scenes that have become synonymous with the Comrades Marathon.
For Steyn, that spirit defines the event more than medals or records. The road eventually tests every athlete, and the greatest challenge often begins long after the legs have started to fade.
Running from the lonely outpost of lane nine, Nene sliced through the Stockholm air like a blade through silk, producing a composed and commanding performance to cross the line in 44.48 seconds. American Jacory Patterson chased him home in 44.69, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards secured third place with a season’s best 44.87.
The 28-year-old looked as though he had borrowed a page from the stadium’s memory book. Stockholm, it seems, has become his athletic love letter. The historic arena practically winked at him as he powered off the final bend and held firm down the home straight.
In an era where stopwatches are treated like royalty and fractions of a second receive more attention than some politicians, Nene’s victory carried weight beyond the clock. It was a statement wrapped in speed.
After the race, Nene reflected on the significance of returning to the venue where his Diamond League journey first blossomed, describing Stockholm as a special place in his career and expressing delight at securing another victory on Swedish soil.
His triumph highlighted another encouraging day for South African athletics. Sinesipho Dlambini produced an impressive run to finish second in the men’s 200m behind American sprint star Kenny Bednarek, Dlambini clocked 20.10 seconds. Fellow South African Mthi Mthimkulu placed fifth in the race.
Prudence Sekgodiso battled through a blisteringly fast women’s 800m to finish fifth in 1:57.70 in a race won by Switzerland’s Audrey Werro, who set a Diamond League record and world-leading time of 1:53.98.
For Nene, the result adds another glittering chapter to a season already filled with momentum. The South African 400m ranks have become a furnace of fierce competition, yet Nene continues to emerge forged and polished.
The road to the World Championships remains long, winding and unforgiving. On this Stockholm evening, however, Nene turned the track into a runway and took flight.
Zakithi Nene celebrates his second Wanda Diamond League victory in Stockholm Photo credit: Wanda Diamond League
Six Comrades runners. Six deeply personal motivations that go beyond the race
There is a moment, somewhere around the 60km mark, when the Comrades Marathon stops being a race. The legs begin to resist. The maths of time and distance turns unforgiving. And what’s left, what has always been left, is the reason you came. Not the training plan. Not the medal. The reason why you’re running.
Every June, tens of thousands of South Africans arrive at that moment. And what defines this race is not just how far people run, but what meets them there: a memory, a person, a promise, a purpose. Something far bigger than the road itself.
This year, six runners are carrying something deeply personal with them onto that road. Their stories are different. Their reasons are their own. But together, they show what resilience really looks like – not as a concept, but as something lived, step by step.
When Grief Becomes Direction
Andreas Efthymiou doesn’t talk about the race in terms of kilometres. He talks about his son.
Andreas Efthymiou is running in memory of his son, Stelio – because the road is the one place where the love still feels close. Every step a tribute. Every kilometre a conversation only he can hear. He is raising funds for CHOC, the Children’s Haematology Oncology Clinics, for the families still walking the road he knows.
Simphiwe Zwane is also running with loss. After losing his mother, he chose not to retreat, but to show up – for children battling cancer, and for families who need support in the hardest of moments. “Every kilometre,” he says, “is dedicated to helping these children access the care and support they need.”
Second Chances
Sada Padiyachy was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome – a neurological condition that, at its worst, can strip a person of the ability to move, to breathe independently – turning everyday life into a long fight for recovery. For Sada, recovery was long. It was frightening. It reshaped everything he thought he understood about his own body.
This Comrades, he runs as a declaration. Not a statement for anyone else’s benefit, but simply the act of a man planting his feet on a road that once felt impossibly far away and moving forward. Every step says: “I am still here, I am still moving forward”.
Showing Up for Others
Boitumelo Ndlovu is running her first Comrades in honour of loved ones lost to cancer, and in support of children who are still fighting. For her, the race is about presence – about showing up in a way that counts.
“Each kilometre I run represents strength, remembrance, and hope,” she says.
It’s her first race, but the purpose she carries is anything but new.
Service in Action
Bronwyn Roussot – a nurse for nearly 30 years – has spent her career at the intersection of suffering and service. She has seen what hunger does to a child’s body. She has held the hands of families with nothing left. She walks, not runs to fund sustainable food programmes, because witnessing is no longer enough. “My goal,” she says simply, “is to help ensure that no one has to go to bed hungry.”
When pain is loud, purpose is louder
For Sphiwe, the Comrades Marathon is a battlefield that pushes your body, your mind, and your spirit to the edge.What keeps him going is knowing his journey might give someone else the strength not to give up, even when the pain, doubt, and exhaustion hit hardest.
Last year, that battle came down to the final stretch. Exhausted, falling, almost crawling, he kept moving. Because that moment wasn’t just about finishing. It was about refusing to quit.
That’s why this year’s Comrades theme, “Ska Fela Moya”, speaks directly to Sphiwe’s journey in that moment. When his body gave in, his spirit carried him through.Now, he runs for more than himself – he’s running for those who need hope, for those who are watching, and for anyone fighting their own battle.
The race you don't run alone
What connects these runners is not the distance. It’s what they carry, and the invisible thread connecting them to others.
A memory. A person. A cause. A promise.
This is the truth about the Comrades that the race has always known, even when the outside world reduces it to statistics and finishing times: the road is personal, but it is never walked alone.
Cell C, the official partner of the Comrades Marathon, understands that an important part of what sustains a runner across nearly 90km is not just the training plan alone. It is the WhatsApp message that arrives at 70km. The family refreshing a tracker in real time. The connection that makes the distance feel, if not smaller, then at least shared. Purpose carries runners forward. Connection keeps them going, not just made possible by technology, but even more meaningfully, connection to their why.
This year’s Comrades Marathon has a phrase that runners carry with them the way others carry a mantra. Ska Fela Moya – don’t give up. It is not a motivational slogan. It is an acknowledgement – of everyone who has ever reached that moment at kilometre 60 when the legs have stopped cooperating, and found, somehow, that they kept going anyway.
On Sunday, 14 June. Somewhere between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, tens of thousands more runners will find their own.
And when they do, it won’t just be about endurance.
It will be about remembering why they started – and refusing to stop.
A reminder that whatever you’re running for, nothing should stop you.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmushas never been shy about planning several moves ahead. His latest squad announcement, featuring 21 uncapped players among a 51-man training group for the Gqeberha double-header later this month, offers another glimpse into how South Africa intends to sustain its dominance beyond the current generation.
Among the newcomers, the inclusion of DHL Stormersbacks Yaqeen AhmedandImad Khan stands out as more than a reward for impressive domestic performances. It is a reflection of South Africa’s determination to broaden its depth in two of the most influential positions on the field.
Ahmed, capable of operating at flyhalf and centre, and scrumhalf Khan are among a youthful contingent called into the national setup ahead of the Springboks’ clash against the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ fixture against Zimbabwe on 20 June.
Their elevation comes at a significant moment.
With star playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and scrumhalf Morne van den Berg sidelined through injury, Erasmus has been presented with an opportunity to accelerate the development of players who could feature prominently in future Springbok campaigns.
The injuries have not created vacancies so much as opportunities.
Ahmed’s selection is particularly intriguing. The highly rated Stormers playmaker has long been regarded as one of the country’s most promising attacking talents, combining tactical awareness with the versatility modern international rugby increasingly demands. His ability to cover multiple backline positions makes him a valuable asset in a Springbok environment where adaptability is prized almost as highly as raw talent.
Khan’s call-up carries similar strategic importance. South Africa’s production line of scrumhalves remains one of the healthiest in world rugby, yet Erasmus continues to search for greater depth at a position that often dictates the tempo of a match. Khan joins fellow uncapped scrumhalvesHaashim Pead and Nico Steyn in a competitive group that offers selectors an opportunity to assess emerging talent in a high-performance environment.
The Stormers pair form part of a broader youth movement that includes SA Under-20 players Danie Kruger, Luan Giliomee, Vusi Moyo, Oliver Reid, Liam van Wyk, Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Markus Muller and Zekhethelo Siyaya. All were previously involved in the expanded Springbok alignment camp programme.
The remaining uncapped players are Paul de Villiers, Bathobele Hlekani, Hanro Jacobs, Jurenzo Julius, JJ Kotze, Sibabalwa Mahashe, Emmanuel Tshituka and Jaco Williams.
The composition of the squad has also been shaped by circumstance. Vodacom Bulls players were unavailable after securing a place in the United Rugby Championship final against Leinster, opening the door for several younger prospects to gain exposure to the national environment.
“We named a large group of players as we will be selecting a Springbok and SA ‘A’ team for the season-opening double-header in Gqeberha, and this will be beneficial in the long term as we build the squad, looking forward to next year’s Rugby World Cup and beyond,” he said.
“There is also an exciting mix of experienced campaigners and young players in this squad, and this formula has worked well for us in the past to ensure a clear pathway to build depth within the group.”
The Springbok coach believes the alignment camps held over recent months have prepared many of the newcomers for the demands awaiting them.
“The coaches have been working around the clock to put the systems in place in the last few months, and the in-person and virtual alignment camps have given most of the players a taste of what to expect, so it’s now a matter of implementing what they learned in the boardroom onto the field.”
“We are under no illusions about the challenge ahead this season with two matches against the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe playing out on the same day, which will be followed by two new competitions in the Nations Championship and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, so it will be important for the group to build cohesion as quickly as possible and make the most of our field sessions and team meetings to be as well prepared as possible when we take the field.”
For Ahmed and Khan, the call-up is not a destination. It is an invitation into one of the most competitive environments in world rugby. Whether either player features prominently in the months ahead remains uncertain.
What is clear is that Erasmus is already looking beyond the next Test, the next tournament and even the next season. The world champions are building depth with the same diligence that won them consecutive World Cups, and Ahmed and Khan are the latest names added to that long-term blueprint.
Rassie Erasmus has named a 51-man squad, with 21 uncapped players, for the first training camp of the season and double-header in Gqeberha 🇿🇦🚨
The squad for the Nations Championship in July will be announced on Sunday, 21 June, following the conclusion of the VURC Final. pic.twitter.com/YAgJuCtLGa
The 99th edition of theComrades Marathon has all the ingredients of a classic.
Defending champions Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn return to lead a star-studded elite field on Sunday as 21,677 runners tackle the 85.777km Up Run from Durban City Hall to Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg.
With nearly all of last year’s top-10 finishers back on the start line and a record prize purse on offer, the race is poised to deliver another compelling chapter in the history of South Africa’s most iconic ultra-marathon.
The only absentee among the top 20 men and women from the 2025 race is women’s runner-up Alexandra Morozova, leaving an elite field packed with proven performers and ambitious challengers.
Race director Sue Forge expects another fiercely contested battle.
“All the signs are that this should be another thrilling race, not just in terms of proven gold medallists, but also with the addition of a number of very fast marathoners and ultra-marathoners from both South Africa and abroad, including world-class 100km competitors. We’re looking forward to seeing who claims the podium spots and a share of the biggest prize purse in the history of the Comrades Marathon.”
The elite athletes will compete for a share of R8.21 million, including incentives and bonuses, with both the men’s and women’s winners earning R925,000.
“We have made sure that the top contenders in the 2026 edition of the Comrades Marathon have 8.2 million reasons to give everything they have on the route from Durban to Pietermaritzburg,” Forge said.
“This race has always produced world-class performances, and this considerable prize purse reflects the status of both the race and the elite field we have running this year.”
The three-time champion claimed victories in 2022, 2023 and 2025, yet has never won an Up Run. A victory on Sunday would not only complete that collection, it would move him level with four-time winner Alan Robb and into a tie for third on the all-time men’s winners list.
Standing in his way is Dutch rival Piet Wiersma, winner of the most recent Up Run in 2024 and runner-up to Dijana in both 2023 and 2025.
Their rivalry has become one of the defining storylines of modern Comrades racing and could once again shape the outcome.
Three-time champion Bongmusa Mthembu also has history within reach. The veteran owns 11 gold medals and sits level with Bruce Fordyce on that list. Another gold medal would move him alongside Alan Robb with a record 12.
The men’s field is strengthened further by former winners Edward Mothibi and David Gatebe, while Nikolai Volkov, Joseph Manyedi, Alex Milne, Gordon Lesetedi and Vasilii Korytkin all return after gold-medal performances in 2025.
Several newcomers add intrigue.
South African hopeful George Kusche has attracted considerable support after finishing 12th last year, while Onalenna Khonkhobe’s impressive performances over the past 12 months have elevated him into podium discussions.
Internationally, much attention will focus on World 100km champion Aleksandr Sorokin, American record-holder Charles Lawrence and French 100km specialist Guillaume Ruel.
If Dijana is chasing history, Steyn is pursuing legacy.
The South African star has dominated women’s ultra-distance running in recent years and arrives full of confidence after securing a seventh consecutive Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon title.
Having won Comrades in 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025, Steyn stands one victory away from becoming only the second woman in history to reach five wins.
Only eight-time champion Elena Nurgalieva has won more.
Yet the women’s race appears deeper than ever.
Kenyan Shelmith Muriuki impressed with third place on debut last year and is widely viewed as a serious contender. Irvette van Zyl enters the race after breaking the Loskop 50km course record, while Dominika Stelmach, Carla Molinaro, Caitriona Jennings, Courtney Olsen, Jenet Mbhele and Melissah Gibson all return after earning gold medals in 2025.
Adele Broodryk’s return adds further quality after she missed last year’s race, while Galaletsang Mekgoe and Jenna Challenor will be eager to force their way back into the gold-medal positions.
Zimbabwean debutant Nobukhosi Tshuma is another athlete generating interest after finishing third at this year’s Two Oceans Marathon.
Strongest field in years
The elite men’s field consists of 97 athletes, while 34 women have earned elite status.
Together they form one of the strongest line-ups assembled for the race in recent years.
For Dijana and Steyn, Sunday offers an opportunity to strengthen already impressive legacies. For the chasing pack, it presents a chance to alter the narrative.
By late afternoon in Pietermaritzburg, the 99th Comrades Marathon will have produced new heroes, fresh storylines and perhaps another piece of history on South Africa’s most famous road.
The countdown to the 2026 Totalsports Women’s Racehas begun, and while thousands will toe the start line in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg this August, some participants are already carrying victories far greater than any finish medal.
For cancer survivors such as Selina Govender, Rayghanah Cassiem and Ntokozo Dludla, every kilometre covered is a declaration of resilience. Their stories form part of the beating heart of an event that continues to blend fitness, friendship and fundraising through its partnership with PinkDrive.
Set to take place on three consecutive Sundays in August, the race has become a moving mosaic of courage, where the famous sea of pink flows through city streets like a river of hope.
Govender, from Merebank in Durban, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer with widespread bone metastasis in August 2021 at the age of 37. What followed was a marathon few could imagine: a mastectomy, lymph node removal, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone-strengthening infusions and ongoing endocrine therapy.
Selina Govender Photo: Supplied
“Almost five years later, my scans remain clear. I continue with endocrine therapy and bone infusions. Cancer taught me that we can’t always control what life throws at us, but we can control how we rise above it. Pay attention to your body. Listen to the small signs. Never skip your check-ups and, above all, never lose hope,” said Govender.
A regular participant since 2017, she will once again line up for the 10km event in Durban.
“I walk due to no longer being able to run. The movement helps with circulation and supports keeping my bones strong and the rest of my body healthy. The Totalsports Women’s Race is a powerful celebration of women that focuses on health and charity. It is a ‘must-do’ event for women in South Africa, offering a fun, well-organised, and meaningful experience that blends healthy living with a powerful message of empowerment. I’m always in awe of the atmosphere, especially the ‘sea of pink’ and camaraderie among participants. Not forgetting the amazing views along the route, which remind us just how beautiful Durban is.”
In Cape Town, Cassiem’s journey reads like a script that repeatedly refused to follow its expected ending. Diagnosed with breast cancer during Women’s Month in 2005 at age 46 and given five years to live, she has now spent more than two decades proving predictions can sometimes stumble while determination keeps running.
Rayghanah Cassiem Photo: Supplied
“Being given a second chance at life changed everything for me,” said Cassiem. “Before my diagnosis, I was simply existing as a mother and wife. Afterward, I truly started living, appreciating life’s simple blessings and embracing new challenges. I took up hiking, dragon boat paddling, and road running, things I never imagined I would do.”
Her journey later included a recurrence that advanced to stage 4 disease.
“At 50, I experienced a recurrence of breast cancer in my sternum, which took me to Stage 4. I was told it was advanced and incurable, instead of giving up, it strengthened my resolve to live fully.”
Today she volunteers in cancer care outreach programmes, carrying hope like a relay baton.
“Today, I dedicate my time to outreach programmes at cancer care homes, using my journey to inspire and give hope. Cancer has taught me not to take a single day for granted. I have participated in the Totalsports Women’s Race for many years. It has become a special part of my journey. Reconnecting with familiar faces and the shared sense of purpose is incredibly uplifting. Sport helps me cope with the challenges of cancer and supports my physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. It reminds me that my body is still strong and capable.”
Johannesburg entrant Dludla knows the emotional turbulence that arrives with a diagnosis.
“It was an overwhelming experience, fear and confusion all came rushing at once. The unknown was the hardest part,” she admitted.
“The journey was not easy: doctor’s appointments, tests, and treatment. It felt like my life revolved around hospitals and waiting rooms. My support system became my anchor, and family, friends, and even strangers showed me kindness and love in ways I will never forget. They reminded me that I am not alone in this fight.”
Her message to fellow patients is simple.
“Cancer can feel overwhelming when you think too far ahead. My advice is to focus on getting through one appointment, one treatment, and one moment at a time.”
For Nikki Crous, Head of Marketing at Totalsports, these stories embody the race’s deeper purpose.
“The Totalsports Women’s Race is built on the strength, courage, and resilience of women like Selina, Rayghanah, and Ntokozo, whose stories continue to inspire and unite us. This event is far more than a race, it is a powerful platform for awareness, connection, and hope. Through our partnership with PinkDrive, we are reminded of the importance of early detection, ongoing education, and support, while celebrating the incredible spirit of women who continue to show up, push forward, and uplift one another in the face of adversity.”
As race day approaches, the roads of Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg are preparing for more than a running event. They are preparing to host thousands of footsteps carrying stories of survival, strength and stubborn hope. In a world that often sprints past life’s important lessons, these women are setting the pace.
Four-time Comrades MarathonchampionGerda Steyn says her preparations for this year’s race are on track as she targets a fifth title and potentially another record-breaking performance in the iconic ultra-marathon on 14 June.
The South African star is currently completing her final training block in the French Alps ahead of the 99th edition of the race, where she will once again start as the overwhelming favourite in the women’s field.
Steyn has dominated ultra-distance running in South Africa over the past decade, building a remarkable record that includes four Comrades victories and an unprecedented seven consecutiveTotalsports Two Oceans Marathontitles.
The Hollywood Athletics Clubathlete arrives at Comrades fresh from another commanding display at Two Oceans in April, where she claimed her seventh straight crown in 3:27:43.
Her achievements at Comrades have been equally impressive.
Steyn won her first title in 2019 in an Up Run record of 5:58:53, becoming the first woman to break the six-hour barrier on the route. She added victories in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and currently holds both the Down Run record of 5:44:54, set in 2023, and the Up Run record of 5:49:46, established a year later.
This year’s race could present another opportunity for a fast time.
The official distance for the 2026 Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg is 85.777km, making it the shortest Up Run in recent history and potentially opening the door for new records.
Steyn, however, remains focused on preparation rather than predictions.
“I’m really excited to line up for the Comrades Marathon again this year,” she said.
“My training so far has gone really, really well. Of course, it’s still ongoing, but all is going according to plan, especially after the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon earlier in April.”
With the route heading inland to Pietermaritzburg, Steyn has tailored her training to meet the specific demands of the Up Run.
“This year with it being an uprun, my training is also specifically tailored in making sure that I am strong on the uphills but also of course it’s a fast race.
“Even though it’s almost 90 kilometres, the pace is still fast, so I’m trying to work on all areas to be 100% ready for race day.”
Nine-time Comrades winner Bruce Fordycebelieves Steyn’s accomplishments have already secured her place among the greats of South African distance running.
“Gerda has redefined what women can achieve at Comrades and Two Oceans. Her records, consistency and professionalism place her among the greatest ultra-distance runners South Africa has ever produced,” Fordyce said.
“To hold both Comrades records and dominate Two Oceans year after year is extraordinary. She has raised the standard for everybody.”
Fordyce also highlighted Steyn’s ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stages.
“What stands out is the way she races with confidence and composure. She makes world-class performances look effortless, and that’s the mark of a truly exceptional athlete.”
This year’s race will also be Steyn’s second Comrades appearance in Hollywood Athletics Club colours.
“I’m really excited to line up for my second Comrades Marathon in the Hollywood Athletics purple colors,” she said.
“So that will also be really exciting to share the roads with so many other teammates and club mates. It’s going to be a very special day, so all the best from my side to everyone lining up this year.”
Having already rewritten large sections of the Comrades record book, Steyn heads into the 2026 race with another opportunity to strengthen her legacy. The title remains the primary target, though on a shortened Up Run route, the clock may once again become her biggest rival.
