The streets of Durban erupted in joy on Sunday as Tete Dijana etched his name into the annals of sporting greatness by winning his third Comrades Marathon title with a remarkable time of 5:25:28. In a captivating finish, Dijana outmanoeuvred the defending champion Piet Wiersma, who crossed the line just six seconds later at 5:25:34. Nikolai Volkov of Russia completed the elite podium, securing third place with a time of 5:29:42.
This year’s race introduced a new strategy: elite runners commenced 15 minutes ahead of the general field. This innovative approach sought to alleviate the congestion issues that have traditionally hampered the marathon’s start. However, early fervour quickly turned to exhaustion for some competitors, including Onalenna Khonkhobe, who initially led the pack with an astonishing eight-minute advantage over Mbuti Mollo at the two-hour mark. Unfortunately for Khonkhobe, he fell victim to fatigue, visibly cramping and slowing to a walk as he grappled with the marathon’s demanding nature.
The spectators experienced an emotional roller coaster as the final 8.5 kilometres approached. With only 16 kilometres left in the race, Dijana surged into the lead, taking command with an impressive 44-second advantage over Wiersma, subsequently extending this to a confidence-boosting 51 seconds with just four kilometres to go. The crowd’s anticipation was palpable as Dijana showcased not only his endurance but also a masterclass in pacing and tactical brilliance.
In addition to the men’s epic finish, the women’s race saw South Africa’s Gerda Steyn reaffirm her dominance within the ultra-distance realm. Although official times are pending confirmation, Steyn crossed the line ahead of Russian runner Alexandra Morozova and Kenya’s Shelmith Muriuki, claiming her fourth Comrades title. Steyn’s latest victory complements her legacy, following a record-breaking down run in 2023 and a historic up-run time in 2024, making her the first woman to break the six-hour barrier on that route.
Across the marathon landscape, seasoned veteran Edward Mothibi finished fourth among the men with a time of 5:31:41. As thousands of runners crossed the finish line, waving South African flags in celebration, the 2025 Comrades Marathon once again demonstrated a powerful expression of grit, legacy, and the indomitable spirit that encapsulates this ultimate human race.