COMRADE MARATHON 2024

COMRADE MARATHON 2024. 

Event Details: 

DATE & TIME OF RACE 

The race will be run on Sunday, 9 June 2024 starting at 05h20 and finishing at 17h20. 

ROUTE & DISTANCE 

It is an "UP RUN" starting at the City Hall in Durban and finishing in Pietermaritzburg. The race distance is approximately 85,9km. This distance is subject to change and will be confirmed in the Final Race Instructions (FRI). 

ENTRY PERIOD & CAP 

Entries open on 21 November 2023 at 10h00 and will close on 11 December 2023 at 16h20. 

Total number of entries will be capped at 23 000. 

The entry period will close at 16h20 on 11 December 2023 or once the entry cap of 23 000 has been reached, whichever comes first. 

ENTRY FEE 

Entry fee is waived for holders of 25 or more Comrades medals. 

An entry service provider fee will be charged on the entry over and above the entry fee cost. 

ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE (unless the race is cancelled due to force majeure). No entry transfers or deferrals will be allowed. 

The Comrades Marathon is an ultramarathon of approximately 88 kilometres 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 Comrades Marathon was back… after a two-year break, in 2020 and 2021, resulting from the world-wide Covid 19 pandemic. 

A palpable pall of excitement and anticipation descended over the 13213 athletes, from multiple counties around the globe, gathered on the start–line. The atmosphere was electric; like there had never been a lapse at all. 

THE MEN’S RACE. 

After the hiatus of 2 years, pre-race selections were near impossible. Was the old guard still lurking behind the lost years; yet remained a powerful force? Or was the new generation about to invade and spoil the party for the established pre-Covid brigade? 

The massed voices of the Shosholoza choir went silent… Expectancy reigned… broken by Max Trimborn’s croaky recording… The cannon roared… and Chariots of Fire drove the massive field away on its, unavoidably delayed, odyssey to distant Durban; languishing, in a mild Spring morning, on the shores of the Indian Ocean; more than 90 kilometres away. 

The Start to Lynnfield Park.  

Inevitably, in the excitement of leading the Comrades Marathon, the annual, initial early pace-setters led the human crocodile through the darkened suburbs and out of the city. Groups of early risers and pajama-clad children cheered them on to the first major obstacle: Polly Shortts. First to show, as the dim light of day appeared in the east, was Onalenna Khonkhobe. He held a 90-second advantage over Lebenya Nkoka as they sped through Ashburton and down Little Polly’s to Lynnfield Park. Not far adrift, at regular intervals lay Ronnie Lapshe, Amon Theko, Rufus Photo and Abel Chiposiwa.  

Powering ahead, Khonkhobe went through the first checkpoint with a lead of nearly 3 minutes over Nkoka. 

2022 Down (95th Race - 47th Down Run). 

History. 

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, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic-impacted 2020 and 2021, has been run every year since. 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". Vic Clapham's great-grandson, Antony Clapham, finished the race from 2012 to 2015, earning four Vic Clapham medals. 

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 and 2021, the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Multiple Winners. 

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		Gerda Steyn +	2	Nedbank RC
Gerald Walsh +	2	Durban AC
Trevor Allen +	2	Durban AC
Derek Preiss	2	Westville AC
Dmitri Grishin	2
Leonid Shvetsov +	2
Tete Dijana	2	Nedbank RC

Lead Group at Lynnfield Park (15.57 km) 

Lynnfield Park to Cato Ridge 

Khonkhobe and, to a lesser degree, Nkoka, appeared to be men on a mission; drawing away from the chase group over the roller coaster section to Cato Ridge. They passed the timekeepers 10 minutes and 6 minutes respectively, ahead of the main field. Azar Shah moved into 3rd position while Lapshe fell out of the top ten. 

Slowly, the race was developing behind them with Charles Tjiane, David Gatebe and Edward Mothibi featuring in the lead group through Cato Ridge. 

Lead Group at Cato Ridge (30.28km) 

Cato Ridge to Drummond 

Khonkhobe was the first to greet an excited crowd at the halfway mark at Drummond. Nkoka retained his 2nd place but questions were beginning to surface. Had the two leaders started out too fast? 

Their lead increased to 18 and 12 minutes respectively. The 2016 winner, 41-year-old David Gatebe, was running purposefully in the forefront of the chasers and appeared a possible candidate for a major medal. 

Lead group at Drummond (44.27 km) 

Drummond to Winston Park 

The first sign that Khonkhobe was weakening appeared as he went past the Winston Park checkpoint. His lead was down to 5 minutes over Nkoka. Neither were running as freely as they were at Drummond giving the impression that the early pace was beginning to tell on them. Nkoka assed through with an advantage of 3½ minutes over a quartet of renowned big names comprising Teboho Sello, Mothibi, Tete Djiana and Joseph Manyedi. The promise shown earlier, by David Gatebe, dissipated as he fell out of the lead group. 

Lead group at Winston Park (57.61 km) 

Winston Park to Pinetown 

Having led from the start to just beyond Drummond, Khonkhobe, inexplicably withdrew. Another glory-seeker paying the price for over-exuberance. 

The race, however, was now taking shape. Running side-by-side, Mothibi and Djiana came off Field’s Hill and into Pinetown. Sello was a minute adrift with multiple winner, Bongmusa Mthembu, entering the top 10. 

Lead group at Pinetown (68.86 km) 

Pinetown to Sherwood 

As the pace quickened on the run down into Sherwood. Djiana moved ahead of Mothibi and built a lead of a minute running through the checkpoint. Manyedi had fallen 4 minutes behind the flying leaders. The potential Gold Medallists appeared to be assembling for the final dash into Durban. 

Dan Moselakwe, Mthembu, Nkosikhone Mhlakwana and Johannes Makgetla had pressed the accelerator and the race, for Gold, was on. 

Lead group at Sherwood (81.18 km) 

Sherwood to the Finish 

There was no stopping Djiana, however. He entered Moses Mabhida Stadium to a delirious reception from the spectators to become the first Comrades winner in three years. Moselakwe made a desperate effort to capture 3rd position. 

Sadly, Manyedi, after a valiant run, drifted out to 7th place; being overtaken by Mthembu, Makgetla and Mhlakwana. 

RESULT 

Current Best Time (Down) : 5h 18m 19s (89.208 km) 
David Gatebe (age 34) – 2016 (Race Distance 89.208 km) 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 2810  Number of finishers in Mens Race – 9333 

VETERANS (AGE 40-49) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 5h 27m 22s (89.600 km) 
Vladimir Kotov (age 43) (Berlarus) – 2001 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 4105 
Number of finishers in Mens Race – 9333 
 

MASTERS (AGE 50-59) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 5h 48m 12s (89.208 km) 
Vladimir Kotov (age 54) (Belarus) – 2012 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 1975 
Number of finishers in Mens Race – 9333 
 

GRANDMASTERS (AGE 60+) 

Current Best Time (Up) : 6h 52m 08s (89.208 km) 
Peter Camenzind (age 60) (Switzerland) – 2012 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 443 
Number of finishers in Mens Race – 9333 
 

FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN MAN 

FIRST FOREIGN MAN (NO TROPHY) 

GUNGA DIN TROPHY 

First Men's Team 
Current Team Best Time (Down) : 22h 19m 29s (89.179 km) 
Liberty Nike Athletic Club – 2003 

ARTHUR NEWTON MEMORIAL TROPHY 

Second Men's Team 

VIC CLAPHAM MEMORIAL TROPHY 

First Veteran Men's Team 
Current Team Best Time (Down) : 25h 27m 48s (88.771 km) 
Rand Athletic Club – 1986 

NO TROPHY 

First Men's Trophy 
Current Team Best Time (Down) 23h 18m 15s (90.184 km) 
Entsika A C CG – 2018 

HARDY BALLINGTON TROPHY 

First Novice - Man 
Current Best Time (Up) : 5h 26m 29s (89.600 km) 
Leonid Shvetsov (age 32) (Russia) – 2001 

SOUTH AFRICAN LEGION TROPHY 

First Veteran Man 
Current Best Time (Up) : 5h 27m 22s (89.600 km) 
Vladimir Kotov (age 43) (Belarus) – 2001 

PREMIER'S TROPHY 

First KZN Man 
Current Best Time (Up) : 5h 26m 39s (89.208 km) 
Bongmusa Mthembu (age 32) – 2016 

WOMEN'S RACE 

It was a great disappointment that Gerda Steyn, the defending Up Run Champion and the first woman to break 6 hours for the Up Run, opted not to compete this year. Her preparation for an international standard marathon was at an advanced stage and a hard, competitive Comrades could have had a detrimental effect on her performance in an International event. 

For unknown reasons, the Women’s race has, in recent years, developed a completely opposite strategic complexion to the Men’s race where the initial surge is, invariably, that group of no-hopers who, without exception, fade into oblivion after 3 or 4 hours and finish well down the field, or withdraw long before the finish. 

The Start to Lynnfield Park 

Those women who entertained pretentions of aiming for major honours wasted little time is assembling themselves into positions to strike at any moment during the race. The lead group, as the field swept across the first timing mat, contained six candidates who would claim a Gold Medal a touch over 5 hours later. 

First to show, near the crest of Polly Shortts, was Adele Broodryk. She was moving freely and reached the checkpoint 66 seconds ahead of Dominika Stelmach. Less than 2 minutes later followed Camille Herron and Alexandra Morozova running within a few strides of each other. 

Lead Group at Lynnfield (15.57 km) 

Lynnfield Park to Cato Ridge 

The race was settling down with only minor positional changes ocurring. Broodryk and Stelmach continued to set the pace with Broodryk increasing her advantage to just over 3 minutes. Morozova and Herron swapped positions. Anna Amutoko dropped out of the top ten with Galatetsang Mekgoe moving into contention. 

Lead group at Cato Ridge (30.28 km) 

Cato Ridge to Drummond 

Running into Drummond with half the journey completed, Broodryk, Stelmach and Morozova continued to dominate proceedings. Both Jenna Challenor and Charne Bosman went past Herron to move into the top five places. Carla Molinaro was making a determined effort to join the lead group with Ann Ashworth losing ground. 

Lead group at Drummond (44.27 km) 

Drummond to Winston Park 

Over the picturesque, but hilly section to Winston Park, the leading four positions remained unchanged. Stelmach appeared to have made her intentions clear, closing to just 1m 17s behind Broodryk. Makhosazane Mhlongo, looking stressed, dropped out of the lead group with Renata Vosloo making steady progress. 

Lead Group at Winston Park (57.61 km) 

Winston Park to Pinetown 

On the long stretch down Field’s Hill into Pinetown, the leaders looked in full control of the race. Stelmach took the lead as Broodryk began drifting back through the village of Kloof. Morozova had shifted up a gear, also passing Broodryk and moving to just over a minute adrift of Stelmach. Galatetsang Mekgoe surprised the lead group, moving into 6th position. Molinaro and Vosloo picked up a few places as Bosman fell back. 

Lead Group at Pinetown (68.86 km) 

Pinetown to Sherwood 

Morozova, powering her way up Cowies’ Hill, caught Stelmach on the approaches to Westville. At this stage the top three positions, barring mishaps, seemed settled. The flying leader went through the Sherwood checkpoint with a 4-minute advantage on Stelmach who held a similar margin over Broodryk. The leading three were clearly running faster than the chasers. 

Mekgoe was travelling steadily in 5th position with Annerie Wooding and Yolande Maclean entering the lead group as Vosloo and Bosman fell away. 

Lead Group at Sherwood (81.18 km) 

Sherwood to the Finish 

Morozova was now in total control and entered Moses Mabhida Stadium more than 7 minutes before Stelmach arrived. Broodryk hung on gamely to take 3rd place. Janie Grundling put in a storming effort over the final few kilometers finishing 8th having picked up ten places in the run-in from Pinetown. 

RESULT  

Best Time (Down) : 5h 54m 43s (89.600 km) 
Frith van der Merwe (age 25) – 1989 (Race Distance 89.600 km) 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 841 
Number of finishers in Women's Race – 2380 

VETERANS (AGE 40-49) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 6h 18m 33s (89.179 km) 
Maria Bak (age 44) (Germany) – 2003 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 1090 
Number of finishers in Womens Race – 2380 
 

MASTERS (AGE 50-59) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 6h 50m 21s (89.208 km) 
Colleen De Reuck (age 52) – 2016 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 395 
Number of finishers in Womens Race – 2380 
 

GRANDMASTERS (AGE 60+) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 8h 12m 36s (90.184 km) 
Elizabeth Waywell (age 60) – 2018 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 54 
Number of finishers in Womens Race – 2380 
 

FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN WOMAN 

FIRST FOREIGN WOMAN (NO TROPHY)

COMRADES MARATHON ASSOCIATION SHIELD 

First Women's Team 
Current Team Best Time (Down) : 27h 50m 03s (89.208 km) 
Born 2 Run Athletic Club – 2016 

75th ANNIVERSARY SHIELD 

First Veteran Women's Team 
Current Team Best Time (Down) : 31h 37m 53s (89.600 km) 
Durbanville Athletic Club – 2001 

NO TROPHY

First Elite Women's Trophy 
Current Team Best Time (Down) : 28h 08m 41s (90.184 km) 
Massmart Athletics Club – 2018 

SOUTH AFRICAN LEGION TROPHY 

First Veteran Woman 
Current Best Time (Down) : 6h 18m 33s (89.179 km) 
Maria Bak (age 42) (Germany) – 2003 

PREMIER'S TROPHY 

First KZN Woman 
Current Best Time (Down) : 6h 45m 45s (89.208 km) 
Kerry Koen (age 36) – 2012 

MISCELLANEOUS TROPHIES 

Founder's Trophy 
Oldest Finisher 

Mastern-Smith Memorial Trophy 
Youngest Finisher 

Geraldine Watson Trophy 
Last Runner to Finish 

2023 Down (96th Race - 48th Down Run) 

A chilly morning in the midlands of Kwa-Zulu Natal greeted the 16132 athletes from all Provinces of South Africa, as well as 83 countries around the world, as they assembled outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall. 

A welcome change from 2022 was the return of the finish of the race to the more traditional Kingsmead Cricket Stadium. The change meant a shortening of the race distance by a substantial 2.483 kilometres, thus setting up the inevitability of a wholesale assault, by both men and women – in most age categories and team contests – on the previous best times for the Down Run. 

THE MEN’S RACE 

The Start to Lynnfield Park 

With the pre-race traditions completed, the Mayor’s pistol sent the field off on the long haul to Durban. And what a send-off it was. The unknown runner who streaked to the front did so by covering the first 100 metres at a pace that would have seriously endangered Usain Bolt’s world record. How long that runner maintained his sensational speed is not known, but it indicated that a finishing time in the vicinity of 3h 30m was in the reckoning. 

However, sanity prevailed, as Ayanda Ngcobo took the field through the first checkpoint in a respectable 51m 43s. He was followed by the Lesotho pair of Lebello Mopenyane and Teboho Noosi, with former winners, Bongmusa Mthembu and Gift Kelehe, as well as multi-Gold Medallist, Charles Tjiane, well placed among the early leaders. 

Lead Group at Lynnfield Park (15.57 km) 

Lynnfield Park to Cato Ridge 

The lead three maintained their positions over the relatively easy stretch to Cato Ridge. Aleksei Beresnev moved gradually into 4th place while Jo Fukuda from Japan dropped two positions to 6th. Mthembu was moving comfortably, retaining his place in the lead group. 

Lead Group at Cato Ridge (30.28km) 

Cato Ridge to Drummond 

As the field swooped down Inchanga into the halfway stage at Drummond, Beresnev had passed Mopenyane and Noosi, slotting into 2nd place, 5 minutes adrift of Ngcobo. Fukuda was still making steady progress while former Gold Meadllist, Rufus Photo, joined the leaders as they embarked upon the early stages of the approach to Durban. 

Lead group at Drummond (44.27 km) 

Drummond to Winston Park 

Over the hilly section to Alverston and through Hillcrest to Winston Park, the race was beginning to take shape. Ngcobo, after a valiant effort in his novice run, found the going beyond him and retired. 

Fukuda, meanwhile put in a storming effort to lead the race through the checkpoint. Beresnev held onto his 2nd position as Piet Wiersma, from the Netherlands, looked ominous as he moved into 3rd position. Gordon Lesetedi, Edward Mothibi, Joseph Manyedi and Tete Dijana went by in a compact group with Photo a few strides behind. 

Less than 3 minutes separated the first 10 runners at this stage. 

Lead group at Winston Park (57.61 km) 

Winston Park to Pinetown 

With 30 kilometres to the finish, on the long downhill run into Pinetown, the race began in earnest. Dijana, Mothibi and Wiersma made their intentions known. At the Crompton Street intersection, a mere 2 seconds separated the three leaders with Manyedi just 16 seconds off the pace. 

Teboho Sello and Gordon Lesetedi were making exciting progress. Fukuda was feeling the effects of his earlier surge and dropped down to 8th place while Photo remained in contention. 

Lead group at Pinetown (68.86 km) 

Pinetown to Sherwood 

Dijana was flying as he approached Durban. He held a lead of just under a minute over Wiersma, who had overtaken Mothibi in the vicinity of 45th Cutting. Lesetedi, Sello and Photo were positioning themselves for a concerted assault on the Gold Medals. 

Beresnev and Kelehe returned to the top ten after dropping back earlier. 

Lead group at Sherwood (81.18 km) 

Sherwood to the Finish 

On the run-in, there was no stopping Djiana, although Wiersma must have been a late concern to Djiana who crossed the finish line with a victory margin of a mere 10 metres; for the 3rd closest victory in the Race’s history. 

Djiana broke the existing best time for the Down Run by 4m 22s. However, in view of the substantially shorter distance than that run by David Gatebe (89.208 kms) in 2016, Gatebe’s average speed of 16.816 kms/ hr is superior to that of Djiana (16.76 kms/ hr). 

Mothibi, Lesetedi and Photo completed the top five places. South African runners filled 8 of the 10 Gold Medal positions. Runners from the Netherlands and Russia taking the remaining two. 

RESULT 

Current Best Time (Down) : 5h 18m 19s (89.208 km) 
David Gatebe (age 34) – 2016 (Race Distance 89.208 km) 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 3592 
Number of finishers in Mens Race – 11948 
* First Sub-5h 15m (Down) 

VETERANS (AGE 40-49) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 5h 27m 22s (89.600 km) 
Vladimir Kotov (age 43) (Berlarus) – 2001 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 5292 
Number of finishers in Mens Race – 11948 
 

MASTERS (AGE 50-59) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 5h 48m 12s (89.208 km) 
Vladimir Kotov (age 54) (Belarus) – 2012 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 2505 
Number of finishers in Mens Race – 11948 
 

GRANDMASTERS (AGE 60+) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 6h 52m 08s (89.208 km) 
Peter Camenzind (age 60) (Switzerland) – 2012 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 559 
Number of finishers in Mens Race – 11948 
 

FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN MAN 

FIRST FOREIGN MAN (NO TROPHY)

GUNGA DIN TROPHY 

First Men's Team 
Current Team Best Time (Down) : 22h 19m 29s (89.179 km) 
Liberty Nike Athletic Club – 2003 

ARTHUR NEWTON MEMORIAL TROPHY 

Second Men's Team 

VIC CLAPHAM MEMORIAL TROPHY 

First Veteran Men's Team 
Current Team Best Time (Down) : 25h 27m 48s (88.771 km) 
Rand Athletic Club – 1986 

MEN'S ELITE TEAM TROPHY 

First Elite Men's Trophy 
Current Team Best Time (Down) 23h 18m 15s (90.184 km) 
Entsika A C CG – 2018 

HARDY BALLINGTON TROPHY 

First Novice - Man 
Current Best Time (Down) : 5h 26m 29s (89.600 km) 
Leonid Shvetsov (age 32) (Russia) – 2001 

SOUTH AFRICAN LEGION TROPHY 

First Veteran Man 
Current Best Time (Down) : 5h 27m 22s (89.600 km) 
Vladimir Kotov (age 43) (Belarus) – 2001 

PREMIER'S TROPHY 

First KZN Man 
Current Best Time (Down) :5h 26m 39s (89.208 km) 
Bongmusa Mthembu (age 32) – 2016 

WOMEN'S RACE 

The great news was that Gerda Steyn was back in the race after an absence in 2022. In view of her stunning performance in 2019, to become the first woman to go under 6 hours on the Up Run, the question on the lips of the cognoscenti was “is it possible that she could beat Frith van der Merwe’s unbeatable Down time of 5h 54m 43s set in 1989?’’ 

Was history book about to be rewritten? 

Maybe so, but tough, tested performers like Dominika Stelmach (Poland), Alexandra Morozova (Russia), Catriona Jennings (Ireland ) and South Africa’s, Adele Broodryk were unlikely to lie down and die without a struggle. 

An uncompromising street fight was expected. It didn’t disappoint. 

The Start to Lynnfield Park 

Evidence of the anticipated battle materialized from the moment the field moved away from the Pietermaritzburg City Hall with the big names positioning themselves in close order. So close, in fact, that eight of the final Gold Medallists went through the checkpoint in the first ten positions. 

Carla Molinaro led the pack just 13 seconds ahead of Steyn with Loveness Madziva (Zimbabwe) a further half-minute behind. Four minutes separated the leading 10 runners at this early stage. 

Lead Group at Lynnfield (15.57 km) 

Lynnfield Park to Cato Ridge 

Steyn hit the front shortly after Lynnfield Park and from that moment, the race, for first place, was over. Running further and further ahead with every stride, she went through Cato Ridge a minute in front of Molinaro, with many of the top runners following in close order. 

With so many proven performers strategically placed, an intriguing battle for Gold was manifesting itself behind the flying leader. 

Lead group at Cato Ridge (30.28 km) 

Cato Ridge to Drummond 

Nine of the ten Gold Medallists filled the first 10 positions at the midpoint in Drummond. Only Madziva, in 6th place, was dropping down the order. She would retire soon after Drummond. 

Steyn increased her lead to almost 2 minutes over Molinaro with Broodryk, Stelmach and Camille Chaigneau (France) following in 3rd, 4th and 5th places. The rest of the lead group were holding their positions with minor time gaps changing as the race progressed. 

Lead group at Drummond (44.27 km) 

Drummond to Winston Park 

Over the hilly section to Winston Park, Steyn hit the back burners and left the field gasping for air, increasing her lead to 5 minutes. 

Morozova and Jennings, separated by 17 seconds, were flowing easily, passing Chaigneau who was slipping down the order. Ann Ashworth entered the lead group but her sojourn was brief; dropping back shortly thereafter. 

Lead Group at Winston Park (57.61 km) 

Winston Park to Pinetown 

There was just no stopping Steyn. Broodryk passed Molinaro on the descent of Field’s , but she trailed the flying leader by 8 minutes at the Crompton Street checkpoint. Stelmack held her 4th position while places were being juggled behind her. Jenet Mbhele was making steady progress, moving into 10th position. 

Lead Group at Pinetown (68.86 km) 

Pinetown to Sherwood 

Down the big drop of Field’s Hill, the only changes in the order occurred when Chaigneau dropped from 7th place to 9th. Petra Pastorova (Czechia) and Noora Honkala (Finland) swopped positions and Jenet Mbhele entered the top 10. 

Steyn increased her lead to over 10 minutes while Broodryk stretched the distance over Molinaro to 2½ minutes.

The 10 Gold Medallists were now in absolute finishing order. 

Lead Group at Sherwood (81.18 km) 

Sherwood to the Finish 

With Steyn in overdrive, the stadium announcer was enraptured at the possibility of Frith van der Merwe’s 34-year-old record being annihilated. As she approached Kingsmead, it was clear that a huge chunk was about to be removed from the existing best time. 

And so it proved to be. Chariots of Fire greeted the new queen of the Comrades as she completed the final circuit, lopping a massive 10 minutes off the previous best time. 

Broodryk and Molinaro completed the top three places for host nation with Mbhele taking the 10th Gold. The remaining 6 Golds were spread around the world. 

Not only did Steyn establish a new best time, her average speed for the distance (15.26 km/hr) also exceeded that of Frith van der Merwe (15.156 km/hr). 

RESULT 

Best Time (Down) : 5h 54m 43s (89.600 km) 
Frith van der Merwe (age 25) – 1989 (Race Distance 89.600 km) 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 1010 
Number of finishers in Womens Race – 2956 
* First Sub-5h 45m (Down) 

VETERANS (AGE 40-49) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 6h 18m 33s (89.179 km) 
Maria Bak (age 44) (Germany) – 2003 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 1351 
Number of finishers in Womens Race – 2956 
 

MASTERS (AGE 50-59) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 6h 50m 21s (89.208 km) 
Colleen De Reuck (age 52) – 2016 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 517 
Number of finishers in Womens Race – 2956 
 

GRANDMASTERS (AGE 60+) 

Current Best Time (Down) : 8h 12m 36s (90.184 km) 
Elizabeth Waywell (age 60) – 2018 

Number of finishers in Age Category – 78 
Number of finishers in Womens Race – 2956 
 

FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN WOMAN 

FIRST FOREIGN WOMAN (NO TROPHY) 

COMRADES MARATHON ASSOCIATION SHIELD

First Women's Team 
Current Team Best Time (Down) : 27h 50m 03s (89.208 km) 
Born 2 Run Athletic Club – 2016 

75th ANNIVERSARY SHIELD 

First Veteran Women's Team 
Current Team Best Time (Down) : 31h 37m 53s (89.600 km) 
Durbanville Athletic Club – 2001 

NO TROPHY

First Elite Women's Trophy 
Current Team Best Time (Down) : 28h 08m 41s (90.184 km) 
Massmart Athletics Club – 2018 

SOUTH AFRICAN LEGION TROPHY 

First Veteran Woman 
Current Best Time (Down) : 6h 18m 33s (89.179 km) 
Maria Bak (age 42) (Germany) – 2003 

PREMIER'S TROPHY 

First KZN Woman 
Current Best Time (Down) : 6h 45m 45s (89.208 km) 
Kerry Koen (age 36) – 2012 

MISCELLANEOUS TROPHIES 

Founder's Trophy 
Oldest Finisher 

Mastern-Smith Memorial Trophy 
Youngest Finisher 

Geraldine Watson Trophy 
Last Runner to Finish