Staff Reporter
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said policing demands physical and mental fitness, as over 2,500 officers and support staff took part in a 12.5-km race in Durban on Wednesday.
“[The support for this race] is an indication that our message of promoting fitness is reaching the intended targets. Policing demands physical and mental fitness and this race aims to keep police officers combat ready and mentally sound,” said Mkhwanazi.
Officially known as the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner’s 12.5-km race, the event took place at the popular Blue Lagoon beachfront.
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Old Mutual partnered with provincial police for the 2026 race.
The race included contestants from SAPS, the South African National Defence Force, Traffic and Metro Police, who braved the early morning wind to test their fitness against their peers.
Men’s results
In the men’s race, Sergeant Nkululeko Mtshali of Ulundi Public Order Policing set a new record after crossing the finish line in 41:12.
Second place went to Durban POP member Constable Sibonelo Nzama, who clocked 42:34, while third place went to Investigating Officer Sergeant Siyabonga Ndlela of the Umgungundlovu Task Team, with a time of 42:04.
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Women’s results
In the women’s race, defending champion Constable Zinhle Shabalala from Ladysmith police station retained her title in 52:16, although she did not better her 2025 record of 46:00.
Constable Sindi Khumalo from Estcourt police station finished second in 53:33, while Constable Akhona Mazeka of the Human Resource Development Centre in Umgungundlovu took third place in 56:00.
Old Mutual’s Mabuti Motau said the insurer viewed wellness as more than physical fitness alone.
“Our partnership with SAPS through initiatives like this fun run reflects a shared commitment to holistic wellness, ensuring that the people who serve our communities, and the communities they serve, are supported physically, financially, and socially,” Motau said.
