SOUTH African athletes delivered a dominant performance at the 2025 Comrades Marathon, with Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn capturing the men’s and women’s titles respectively in a dramatic down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday.
Tete Dijana, running for the Nedbank Running Club, claimed his third Comrades Marathon crown, finishing in 5:25:28 after a gripping duel with Dutch defending champion Piet Wiersma. The Mahikeng native, who previously won in 2022 and 2023, surged ahead with 16 kilometres remaining and held off Wiersma by just five seconds in one of the closest finishes in recent memory.
Dijana’s victory marks a remarkable comeback after a disappointing 14th-place finish in 2024, reaffirming his status as one of Africa’s premier ultramarathoners. Fellow South African Edward Mothibi, himself a former champion, finished fourth in 5:31:41, further underlining the strength of local athletes in this iconic race.
African Women Shine on the Podium
Steyn, another South African star, sealed her fourth Comrades Marathon title with a commanding run. Steyn crossed the finish line in 5:51:19, more than four minutes ahead of Russian Alexandra Morozova. Kenyan athlete Shelmith Muriuki made history as the first Kenyan woman to finish on the Comrades podium, taking third place in 6:07:56.
The women’s race saw Zimbabwe’s Elizabeth Mukoloma set a blistering early pace before Steyn reeled her in on the descent to Drummond, showcasing the depth of African talent in the field.
Both men’s and women’s top-10 finishers received equal prize money, with the winners each taking home R875,000. This year’s event, the 98th edition of the Comrades and the 49th Down Run, attracted over 22,000 runners, with African athletes at the forefront of the elite competition.
Top African Results
| Position | Men’s Race | Country | Time |
| 1 | Tete Dijana | South Africa | 5:25:28 |
| 4 | Edward Mothibi | South Africa | 5:31:41 |
| Position | Women’s Race | Country | Time |
| 1 | Gerda Steyn | South Africa | 5:51:19 |
| 3 | Shelmith Muriuki | Kenya | 6:07:56 |
The 2025 Comrades Marathon once again highlighted the continent’s endurance running prowess, with African runners not only winning but also making significant impressions throughout the top ranks. As the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon, Comrades continues to provide a stage for African athletes to inspire and excel.
