By Johnathan Paoli
South Africa’s Tete Dijana secured his place in history with a triumphant third ‘down run’ victory at the Comrades Marathon, while Gerda Steyn marked her remarkable fourth win in the women’s title.
The duo solidified their legendary status on Sunday, crossing the finish line outside Moses Mabhida Stadium’s People’s Park amid thunderous applause from thousands of spectators.
Dijana, 37, delivered a masterclass performance, adding to his previous triumphs in 2022 and 2023, while Steyn further cemented her dominance in one of the world’s toughest ultra-marathons.
Dijana, the Nedbank Running Club star, fended off a fierce challenge from Dutch defending champion Piet Wiersma in a thrilling sprint finish, clocking an unofficial time of 5 hours, 25 minutes, and 27 seconds—just seven seconds ahead of his rival.
“I knew Piet would come strong in the last stretch, but I stuck to my plan. I love the Down Run, it suits my rhythm, and I wanted this title more than anything,” Dijana said after the race.
The two rivals reignited a fierce rivalry that began in 2023, when Dijana narrowly beat Wiersma by five seconds in another dramatic Down Run finish.
Wiersma, who had beaten Dijana on the Up Run in 2024, could not replicate his sprinting edge this time despite a powerful late surge.
Russian runner Nikolai Volkov claimed third in 5 hours, 29 minutes and 40 seconds, his best finish yet in the storied ultra-marathon.
Dijana’s win was as much about strategy as it was about stamina.
He made his decisive move just past Cowies Hill, leaving behind a depleted lead pack that included 2019 champion Edward Mothibi, veteran Bongmusa Mthembu and the gutsy Onalenna Khonkhobe.
Khonkhobe, the 2024 Two Oceans Marathon winner, electrified the early stages with a solo break.
He led by as much as eight minutes at the halfway mark, but cramps and fatigue soon caught up, allowing the chasing elite group to close in.
Despite the setbacks, Khonkhobe battled bravely to finish the race.
In the final 8.5km, Dijana maintained a shrinking lead over Wiersma, which dropped to 44 seconds with four kilometres remaining.
Yet, with the Durban skyline approaching, Dijana found one last reserve of energy to fend off Wiersma’s pursuit and claim victory in one of the most thrilling Comrades finishes to date.
In the women’s event, Gerda Steyn stormed to her fourth Comrades title, winning comfortably in a commanding display.
The South African Olympian added her latest win to previous victories in 2019, 2021, and 2023, reaffirming her dominance in ultra-distance road running.
Russia’s Alexandra Morozova secured second place to earn her sixth Comrades gold medal, while Kenya’s Shelmith Muriuki made history by finishing third, the first Kenyan woman to reach the Comrades podium.
“I just focused on staying consistent and managing the hills. I love this race, it’s home,” Steyn said at the finish.
The 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon, which covered a slightly extended 89.98km from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, also saw a first-time staggered start, with elite runners heading off 15 minutes ahead of the mass field of over 22 000 participants.
Organisers introduced this change to alleviate congestion and enhance race logistics.
The day’s festivities were matched by staggering logistical support with 2.2 million water sachets, 600 000 sports drinks, 30 350 litres of Coca-Cola, and over four tons of fruit being dispensed across dozens of refreshment stations.
Food provisions included 2 tons of baby potatoes and 500kg of biscuits, fueling runners through the gruelling course.
This year also marked a significant milestone in gender parity, with equal prize money offered to the top 10 finishers in both men’s and women’s races.
The winners each took home R875.000, while 10th place earned R36.000.
Many have described the Comrades Marathon as not only South Africa’s most iconic race but one of the greatest ultra-distance spectacles in the world.
INSIDE POLITICS