DURBAN — More than 20,000 people took part in the Comrades Marathon on June 14, an 'up run' from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. Approximately 91% of the runners completed the race within the 12-hour cutoff, according to The Running Mann blog.

Runners began the race outside Durban city hall, aiming to reach Pietermaritzburg before the 12-hour limit. The start was staggered, with three batches of runners beginning at 5 a.m., 5:15 a.m., and 5:30 a.m. This year's event was an 'up run,' which means runners climbed about 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) on their way to Pietermaritzburg. Pietermaritzburg is 650 meters higher in elevation than Durban.

William Seleka, a 38-year-old appliance repair worker for Smeg, started running in March. Six months after beginning to run, he finished a 50km ultramarathon from Johannesburg to Pretoria. "I thought for me to stay alive, I had to keep myself busy," Seleka said. He also recalled hearing people discuss the Comrades Marathon, saying, "I used to hear people saying, 'This is Comrades, you are running from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.'" He initially found the idea challenging, adding, "I said, 'It's insane, you can't do that.'" However, he noted, "But now we are facing reality – I'm doing that as well." Seleka also mentioned his anticipation for the race's completion, stating, "I can't wait to have my red cap and the medal to show my kids." After starting to sing during the race, Seleka commented, "I'm not a person who goes to church. But on that day I started to sing. I don't know where those songs came from." Regarding his plans after the race, he simply said, "Recovery." Seleka has a 15-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter and joined the Run Alex running club.

Shahieda Thungo served as the final 12-hour pace setter, known as a 'bus driver.' Thungo crossed the finish line at 11:56:34. The Comrades Marathon is the world's oldest and largest ultramarathon. The first event, covering 54.6 miles (88km) from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, occurred in 1921. It honored fallen soldiers from the First World War, as conceived by Vic Clapham. The initial race had 34 participants, all white men, with 16 finishing. The Comrades Marathon was not held during the Second World War and the Covid-19 pandemic. The route direction alternates annually between uphill and downhill courses. The average distance over its 99 iterations has been just under 55 miles.