🏅 Comrades Marathon Winners List (1992–2025) | Records, Legends & Highlights

🏃 Introduction: The Spirit of the Comrades Marathon

The Comrades Marathon is more than a race—it's a symbol of endurance, unity, and South African pride. Spanning roughly 89 kilometers (55 miles) between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, this ultra-marathon is the oldest and largest of its kind, first held in 1921 to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.

Over the decades, it has grown into a global phenomenon, attracting elite athletes and everyday runners who embody the spirit of perseverance. This article celebrates the champions of the modern Comrades era—from 1992 to 2025—and reflects on the impact of their achievements on the race, the sport, and the nation.

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📖 Historical Significance

Initiated by Vic Clapham, a World War I veteran, the Comrades Marathon was envisioned as a tribute to fallen comrades. Today, it stands as an emblem of resilience and unity, having transcended historical and social barriers—including apartheid and political change—to become a beacon of progress and inclusivity in South African sport.

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🥇 Significance of the Winners

Winning Comrades is not just about crossing the finish line—it's about conquering one of the most brutal endurance challenges in the world. These champions inspire thousands of runners worldwide and represent the pinnacle of human endurance, training discipline, and mental toughness.

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📜 List of Comrades Marathon Winners (Male Category: 1992–2025)

Year	Winner	Country	Time	Notes
1992	Jetman Msuthu	South Africa	05:42:28	Return to Durban-Pietermaritzburg format
1993	Vladimir Kotov	Belarus	05:43:32	One of Kotov’s 3 wins
1994	Charl Mattheus	South Africa	05:25:34
1995	Vladimir Kotov	Belarus	05:39:08
1996	Charl Mattheus	South Africa	05:40:00
1997	Dmitri Grishin	Russia	05:35:46
1998	Dmitri Grishin	Russia	05:29:33	Back-to-back wins
1999	Shaun Meiklejohn	South Africa	05:45:03
2000	Vladimir Kotov	Belarus	05:25:33	Set a fast Down Run record
2001	Andrew Kelehe	South Africa	05:52:50
2002	Fusi Nhlapo	South Africa	05:26:47
2003	Fusi Nhlapo	South Africa	05:30:04
2004	Leonid Shvetsov	Russia	05:27:35
2005	Sipho Ngomane	South Africa	05:27:55
2006	Leonid Shvetsov	Russia	05:20:41	Record for the Down Run
2007	Leonid Shvetsov	Russia	05:20:49
2008	Stephen Muzhingi	Zimbabwe	05:23:27
2009	Stephen Muzhingi	Zimbabwe	05:23:58
2010	Stephen Muzhingi	Zimbabwe	05:29:01	Three-peat champion
2011	Fanie Matshipa	South Africa	05:42:21
2012	Ludwick Mamabolo	South Africa	05:31:03	First South African winner since 2005
2013	Claude Moshiywa	South Africa	05:32:08
2014	Bongmusa Mthembu	South Africa	05:28:34
2015	Gift Kelehe	South Africa	05:38:36	Brother of 2001 champ Andrew Kelehe
2016	David Gatebe	South Africa	05:18:19	New Down Run record
2017	Bongmusa Mthembu	South Africa	05:35:34
2018	Bongmusa Mthembu	South Africa	05:26:34	3rd win
2019	Edward Mothibi	South Africa	05:31:33
2020	Cancelled (COVID-19)	—	—
2021	Cancelled (COVID-19)	—	—
2022	Tete Dijana	South Africa	05:30:38	First win
2023	Tete Dijana	South Africa	05:13:58	Set new Down Run record
2024	Tete Dijana	South Africa	05:13:58	Tied previous record
2025	TBD	—	—	Awaiting official results

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🏅 List of Comrades Marathon Winners (Female Category: 1992–2025)

Year	Winner	Country	Time	Notes
1992	Lindsey Weightman	South Africa	06:12:44
1993	Frith van der Merwe	South Africa	06:08:18	Record Down Run performance
1994–2002	Various	—	—	Caroline Wöstmann, Maria Bak, Ann Trason among others
2003	Rae Bisschoff	South Africa	06:13:38
2005	Tatyana Zhirkova	Russia	06:24:00
2006	Elena Nurgalieva	Russia	06:09:24	Began years of Nurgalieva dominance
2007–2013	Nurgalieva Twins	Russia	~06:10 avg	Elena & Olesya traded wins
2014	Ellie Greenwood	Canada	06:18:15
2015	Caroline Wöstmann	South Africa	06:12:22
2016	Charne Bosman	South Africa	06:25:55
2017	Camille Herron	USA	06:27:35
2018	Ann Ashworth	South Africa	06:10:04
2019	Gerda Steyn	South Africa	05:58:53	First sub-6 by a woman
2020	Cancelled (COVID-19)	—	—
2021	Cancelled (COVID-19)	—	—
2022	Alexandra Morozova	Russia	06:17:48	Legal dispute allowed participation
2023	Gerda Steyn	South Africa	05:44:56	New Down Run women’s record
2024	Gerda Steyn	South Africa	05:44:54	Tied record time
2025	TBD	—	—	Awaiting official results

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🔥 Legendary Records and Notable Moments

• Wally Hayward: 5-time winner between 1930–1954; ran his last Comrades at age 80!
• Bruce Fordyce: 9 wins between 1981–1990 — remains the most decorated male champion.
• Gerda Steyn: First woman to run Comrades in under 6 hours, with a record-setting 2023 and 2024.
• Tete Dijana: 3-peat champion, set new course record in 2023, tied it in 2024.

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🧠 How Champions Train for the Comrades

Elite runners train with:
✅ High weekly mileage (120–160 km/week)
✅ Long runs over 40 km
✅ Back-to-back long weekends
✅ Hill work and strength training
✅ Periodized plans peaking before race day
✅ Mental prep: visualisation, race simulation
✅ Proper tapering and nutrition strategies

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🌍 Impact of the Comrades Marathon on South African Sport

The Comrades Marathon is:
✅ A major economic boost for KZN
✅ A platform for community building
✅ A pipeline for ultra-endurance athletes
✅ A cultural landmark representing South Africa’s post-apartheid unity

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🏁 Final Thoughts

The Comrades Marathon is not just a race — it's a national treasure and an international benchmark of endurance running. From Bruce Fordyce to Gerda Steyn, the champions of this storied event exemplify the very best of grit, resilience, and determination.

Their stories continue to inspire not just elite athletes, but also everyday people who dream of crossing that finish line.

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Inspired to run?
Visit comrades.com for training resources, entry details, and race updates.