ENTERTAINMENT
More than a human race: Why people run the Comrades
PICTURE: SUPPLIED
Whether you’re watching from your couch or cheering from the sidelines, the 89.9km Comrades Marathon is guaranteed to stir deep emotions.
Every step of this historic race represents endurance, passion, and the relentless human spirit.
This year, OMO official laundry sponsor of Comrades introduced top seven Unbeatable runners who all come from different walks of life, but they are united by a shared spirit of resilience, purpose, and personal triumph.
They are not elite athletes. They are teachers, parents, dreamers, survivors and through OMO’s lens, their stories become a rallying cry for the strength we all carry within.
Ahead of the race, Monoshi Makgata, one of the top seven runners spoke to BONA Magazine about his mindset going into his 14th run.
“I was really looking forward to this one,” he shared. “Without the pressure I felt chasing number 10, this year I could run freely. The past ones came with a lot of expectation but through all the years I had to stay unstoppable to get that green number that is given at your 10th”
Now running toward the prestigious double green number milestone, Monashe remains focused and fiercely committed: “I must stay unstoppable and unbeatable. That’s how I continue my journey.”
Didi Bopape, a proud eight-time consecutive finisher, is quick to acknowledge that no medal is ever guaranteed. Each year, Didi returns to Comrades not for a medal, but for meaning.
“Every year is a new challenge. Just because you start doesn’t mean you’ll finish. But you show up with the same fire. When your body starts playing tricks on you, you push anyway. That’s what it means to be unstoppable.”
For Didi, the journey to Comrades began in the most unexpected way. “Comrades found me,” she recalled. “I was overweight and started with 5km runs, just to get moving. I watched the race for years, not sure I’d ever be brave enough to line up. My first attempt took me 11 hours.”
Now an eight-time finisher herself, Didi’s story is a testament to the race’s inclusivity. “I always thought it was something special people did, people who were born to run. But now I know: anyone can do it. I’m grateful that this race found me.”
Among this year’s standouts from the Unbeatable 7 is Thokozani Rudolph Mbambo, who secured a top-20 finish in 2025’s Comrades Marathon. But this isn’t his first brush with elite success.
In 2023, Mbambo made headlines by finishing 6th overall, cementing his status as one of South Africa’s elite long-distance athletes. This year, he returned with even more fire, crossing the finish line in 19th place, a remarkable feat in a race with thousands of runners.
Thokozani isn’t just running for fitness; he’s running for legacy. “Every race brings me closer to my best. When your spirit stays unbeaten, anything is possible.”
“Partnering with Comrades is a natural extension of our #StayUnbeatable movement,” said Mphothe Elizabeth Mokwena, Unilever’s Homecare Marketing Lead – Southern Africa.
“This race is more than a physical challenge – it’s a symbol of South African resilience, heart, and unity. We’re here to celebrate every runner who refuses to give up because, together, we run for more than the finish line. We run to prove that no matter the mud or the mess, we all have what it takes to #StayUnbeatable.”
Olympic champion, Caster Semenya, will headline OMO’s race-day presence, offering encouragement and inspiration from the sidelines at both Essex Terrace and at the finish line in Durban, where she will be joined by Gerda Steyn after she finishes her race – who is fresh off her win at the 2024 Comrades and now racing for what could be her fourth Comrades Marathon title.
“Being at Comrades this year is a powerful reminder that greatness isn’t just about winning – it’s about showing up and staying the course,” says Semenya. “Resilience means pushing through, even when it hurts, keep playing on.” says Caster.