2017 Comrades Marathon Champions, Bongmusa Mthembu and Camille Herron will be presented with the revered Comrades Marathon Winners Jackets at this Friday’s Old Mutual Spirit of Comrades Awards.

Bongmusa is the first South African to win both the Comrades Marathon Down Run and Up Run since 1987 while Camille is the first American to win the Comrades since 1997.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) will host this Friday’s gala dinner for the third year together with major sponsor, Old Mutual. The celebratory affair has been a defining feature of the Comrades Marathon since 1991.

CMA Marketing Manager, Thami Vilakazi says, “We received more than fifty individual nominations this year. The bulk of the nominations were submitted by Comrades Marathon runners and the general public. The CMA welcomes nominations from Comrades runners and supporters, the public at large as well as its members and other sponsors.”

The nominations were adjudicated by the CMA’s Heritage & Traditions Committee, the recommendations of which were then approved by the CMA Board. Special emphasis is placed on Comrades Marathon winners, legends, volunteers and otherwise ordinary heroes and heroines who exhibit the honorable qualities associated with The Ultimate Human Race.

The CMA will also present the Journalist of the Year Award to the reporter who has written the most articles on The Ultimate Human Race this year; the Comrades Marathon Top Charity Fundraiser Award to the person who has raised the most funds for the Comrades Charities and the esteemed CMA Life Membership Award which is conferred upon members who have rendered outstanding meritorious service to the race.
CMA General Manager, Chris Fisher says, “The Old Mutual Spirit of Comrades Awards recognises those who truly live the Comrades Brand DNA. It is a celebration of true human goodness. We look forward to celebrating their achievements later this week.”