Komani Running Club Brings Home 25 Comrades Marathon Medals

Komani’s long-distance running community has plenty to celebrate after members of Komani Running Club returned from the 2026 Comrades Marathon with an impressive haul of 25 medals.

The runners were among thousands of athletes who took on the iconic ultra-marathon between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance races in the world. Despite the physical and mental demands of the race, Komani athletes produced strong performances across several medal categories.

Leading the local contingent were three silver medal winners. Olwethu Pawula was the fastest of the Komani Running Club members, crossing the finish line in an impressive 7:04:40. He was followed by Freddy Tyatyeka in 7:12:02 and Patrick Makasi in 7:25:11.

Four runners earned Bill Rowan medals, awarded to athletes who complete the race in under nine hours. Nikelo Mabandla finished in 7:41:41, Vuyo Bangiso clocked 7:46:06, Spelo Bobotyana crossed in 8:29:36 and Sikelela Tulelo completed the race in 8:59:25.

The club also produced four Robert Mtshali medal winners. Zanoxolo Mahlombe finished in 9:40:44, followed by Mfundo Mekuto in 9:43:06, Wanda Gaba in 9:47:33 and Ntobeko Vavana in 9:51:14.

The largest group of finishers earned bronze medals after completing the race in under 11 hours. Aliche de Lange led that category in 10:24:57, followed by Linda Ndongeni (10:42:35), Philip Simali (10:47:11), Monwabisi Sintu (10:48:23), Mzwanele Ntloko (10:48:28), Nikie Sihele (10:51:03), Lionel Blauw (10:51:38) and Thanduxolo Dyantyi (10:54:45).

Six other Komani Running Club members also conquered the famous race and received official Comrades Marathon medals for finishing within the cut-off time. They were Joshua Kankam (11:26:57), Mangaliso Nqezo (11:27:17), Lonwabo Jaho (11:34:35), Siyabonga Jwaqa (11:41:41), Uzu Makalima (11:43:28) and Xaxa Matiti (11:50:08).

While the medals tell part of the story, the achievement also reflects months of preparation, early morning training runs and sacrifices made by athletes balancing work, family responsibilities and training schedules.

The Comrades Marathon remains a bucket-list event for runners across the globe, testing endurance over nearly 90 kilometres. For Komani Running Club, the 2026 edition will be remembered as a successful one, with local athletes once again proving that the town continues to produce runners capable of competing on one of South Africa’s biggest sporting stages.

In total, 25 Komani Running Club members completed the race and returned home with medals, giving the local running fraternity another reason to celebrate.