Nedbank Green Dream Team Targets Cape Town

With the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon—Africa’s candidate for the Abbott World Marathon Majors—just days away, the Nedbank Running Club is ready to unleash its "Green Dream Team" on the Mother City's streets. The team will be headlined by South African stars Thabang Mosiako and Stella Marais.

The presence of the Nedbank contingent underscores the race's status as a premier event for fast times, especially as the race enters its final stages of World Marathon Major candidacy.

The Elite Runners

Thabang Mosiako, known for his blistering speed in shorter distances, is looking to make a massive statement in the full marathon distance. Mosiako’s inclusion in the elite field shows that he has the promise to be a leader in the marathon field with a PB of 2:09:14, and a 59:52 in the half-marathon. This experience will provide him with the experience he needs to take it forward against the best of the best.

Reflecting on the unique challenge of the 42.2km event, Mosiako, will undoubtedly be facing a mindset where he will need to push the limits. Running the marathon distance is the ultimate test of patience and grit. You can have the speed, but if you don't respect the road, it will break you. It’s a delicate dance of mind over body.

Looking ahead, Mosiako has clear ambitions beyond Cape Town, following his win at the Hollywood Joburg 10k this year in a thrilling time of 29:45, "I told myself I’m gonna go from the start because I know Stephen [Mokoka] and Seloyi are preparing for Cape Town, so if I go first, they can’t catch me. "I feel so good. I'm really happy and excited with my comeback. It's been a while since I got number one. The confidence and the shape are coming back."" This fighting spirit will see him in good stead come race day.

On the women’s side, Stella Marais brings a wealth of experience and consistent marathon performances. While she may still be coming back from becoming a mother, she has shown strong performances recently with a 38:36 at the Run Your City in Johannesburg, clocking a 2:23min kay postpartum PB, she is showing strong form heading into the marathon. 

Notable Contenders Adding Depth

The Nedbank team's strength doesn't end with the frontrunners. They are supported by a formidable roster of notable athletes who could easily crack the top ten.

Deanne Horn, a consistent performer, focuses on maintaining peak physical and mental form throughout the challenging distance, as we know the biggest battle in any marathon happens between the 30km and 40km marks. Horn will focus on keeping her focus against the rest of the competition.

Lloyd Bosman, known for his powerful finish, has focused on the ultra distances but still shows promise in the marathon, while he won't be starting on the elite line, we can’t underestimate what this experience will bring to Bosman’s calibre as he prepares for the coming season in 2026.

Sithembiso Mqhele, will also be competing from well behind the elite lines, but with his focus on the longer races such as the Totalsports Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon, this will be a vital learning experience in what it takes to compete against the best in the world.  

You don't train for a marathon alone. The Nedbank team trains as a unit, and they carry that collective strength onto the road. With these athletes poised and ready, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon promises to be a showcase of world-class running and determination, reinforcing Nedbank's position at the forefront of African distance running.

Cape Town marathon 19 October 2025

Dear Nedbank Running Club athlete.

Goodluck to all Nedbank Running Club athletes that will be running the Cape Town Marathon on Sunday 19 October 2025.

The Nedbank Running Club - Cape Town will be your host for the day.
As soon as you finish your race, collect your medal, and exit the shoot find your way to the Nedbank RC site that will be marked with Nedbank Running Club Feather flags where you will be greeted by Nedbank Running Club Cape Town committee members.

There will be some refreshing drinks, sandwiches and water will be supplied 

Enjoy your race

It was another action-packed weekend of racing for the Nedbank Running Club, with athletes delivering standout performances, victories, and podium finishes across South Africa.

At the 31st Meiringspoort Race, Nedbank athletes dominated across distances. In the men’s 21.1km, Lloyd Bosman claimed victory in a time of 1:04:02

“The 31st Meiringspoort was awesome! Training has been going well, and I felt strong going into the race. My plan was to keep it relaxed and easy on pace, aiming for around 3:00–3:05 per kilometre over the 21km course. From the gun to the finish, I stayed in control and ran smoothly, holding that pace with ease.

I ended up taking the win comfortably in 1:04, averaging 3:00 per kilometre. The only downside is that I didn’t get elite status for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, but we keep the focus — the big goal is to chase a huge PR in Cape Town this Sunday.”

Bosman was followed by Selwyn Matthews in 2nd (1:05:31) and Francois Maquassa in 3rd (1:08:54). Kallie Burger added to the strong team showing with 5th place in 1:15:30. On the women’s side, Carla Spangenberg ran a strong race to finish 2nd in 1:23:39.

In the 12.5km, Rico van der Horst ran in a time of 38:28, taking the win, with Bruce Maboza behind in 2nd (39:59). Markus Viljoen placed 8th in 53:09. The women also featured on the podium, with Kezia Matthysen securing 3rd in 52:32 and Annatjie Botes 8th in 58:09.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the Ethekwini Township to Township Marathon saw Bonginkosi Mavuso run to the win in the men’s 21km, clocking 1:09:14, with teammate Mcedisani Phungula taking 4th in 1:13:01. Hleziphi Ncayiyana represented well in the women’s race, finishing 4th in 1:56:43.

Nedbank’s elite squad delivered more impressive results at the CAA Region 5 Marathon, where Daniel Paulus claimed victory in the half-marathon in 1:04:12, leading a strong race for the Green Dream Team. Onalenna Khonkhobe followed closely in 2nd with 1:04:25, while teammates Namakoe Nkhasi (5th, 1:05:13), Joel Mmone (6th, 1:05:13), Thabang Masihleho (7th, 1:05:27), and Lucky Mohale (10th, 1:06:28) all finished within the top 10. The women’s race was equally strong, with Mildred Chepkemei Kinyanja securing 2nd in 1:15:26, and teammates Florence Nyaingiri (5th, 1:17:41), Likeleli Majara (6th, 1:18:40), and Naomy Jerono (7th, 1:19:32) all adding to the club’s impressive showing.

At the Red Star Marathon on Track, Gladys Jepchirchir took top honours in the women’s 42.2km with a time of 3:05:39, while in the 10km, Kelly-Lynn Barkley finished 3rd in 44:14.

The Lenyenye Half Marathon saw Isaac Moshia claim another victory for Nedbank, crossing the line first in 1:09:05. Teammate Itumeleng Makgatho Mahlo finished 4th in 1:16:02, with Stephen Madiy following in 6th (1:19:24).

At the SAPS Race, it was a weekend of double podiums for the Green Dream Team. Anna Moeketsi took 2nd overall in the women’s 21km, while Thabang Mathosa won the men’s 10km and Omphile Letshabo placed 3rd. In the women’s 10km, Este van Tonder claimed the win with a great run.

Wrapping up the weekend, Bayanda Biyl stormed to victory at the SPCA 10km Trail Run, crossing the line first in an impressive 38 minutes.

From the road to the trails, Nedbank Running Club athletes once again showcased their class and consistency across every distance. Congratulations to all our runners for flying the #GreenDreamTeam flag high this past weekend.

Comrades Marathon Officially Launches 2026 Race & Campaign

Ska Fela Moya – Don’t Give Up

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) today officially launched the 2026 edition of the iconic ultramarathon between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, which is set to take place on Sunday, 14 June 2026. With Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) administrators, sponsors, athletes, government officials, road running dignitaries and members of the media in attendance at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg, the official launch also saw the unveiling of the 2026 race campaign, Ska Fela Moya, which is Setswana for Don’t Give Up. The winning slogan was chosen from over 200 submissions from the running community.

The launch programme included a tribute to the late Cheryl Winn, who passed away three days prior. The 1982 women’s winner remains the only former Comrades Marathon champion to become Chair of the CMA Board, and she was widely recognised as the matriarch of the event thanks to over 30 years’ devoted service to the Comrades Marathon. Having served as Chair from 2017 to 2021, she was still part of the Finance, Marketing & Membership, and Heritage & Traditions Committees, as well as the CMA Elders Committee, and her sudden passing is a devastating loss to the CMA family.

Getting Ready for 2026

The 2026 edition of the Comrades Marathon will follow the traditional Up Run route, starting in Durban and finishing in Pietermaritzburg, covering approximately 87 kilometres. (The exact distance will be announced once the route has been officially measured.) This will be the 50th time the race is run up to Pietermaritzburg, and will be the 99th overall edition of the race, which was first run in 1921. Many runners will be looking to use the 2026 race as a stepping stone to the 100th edition in 2027, which will include special centenary celebrations.

“The 2026 Comrades Marathon looks set to be another exciting edition of the world-famous ultramarathon, and we know that this launch is just the start of the excitement as we build up to hosting the next Up Run in about eight months,” says CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo. “The CMA is committed to ensuring a safe and memorable experience for all participants, and we will have enhanced safety measures and support services in place, including medical assistance, refreshment stations, route marshals and law enforcement personnel. Our team is dedicated to delivering an exceptional race experience, and we encourage all participants to prepare thoroughly and embrace the journey.”

Speaking about the race slogan, Ngcobo explains, “The Comrades Marathon is a testament to the human spirit, and the winning slogan that we have chosen this year, Ska Fela Moya – Don’t Give Up, captures this essence perfectly. For every runner, the Comrades Marathon journey begins months before the start line, with long training runs in all weather and often lonely miles on the road. Then on race day, as runners tackle the many hills on the route and their bodies scream for them to slow down or stop, the words ‘Ska Fela Moya’ will echo in their minds.”

“Throughout the Comrades Marathon journey, there will be moments of self-doubt, when the only thing keeping a runner going is the fierce determination to not give up, and that’s when this slogan will come to life. This spirit is part of the South African culture, and something that all Comrades Marathon runners embrace,” he concludes.

Entry Fees Unchanged

The entry process for the 2026 Comrades Marathon will begin on 27 October 2025, and will take place in stages. The first stage begins on 27 October and is reserved for Green Number Club runners, i.e. runners who have completed the race 10 times or more, as well as CMA Members. Entries for all non-Green Number Club runners will open on 3 November. The total number of entries will be capped at 22,000, and the entry process will close on 26 November, or once the entry cap of 22,000 has been reached, whichever comes first. Runners should take note that this will be the only entry window for the 2026 race.

CMA General Manager Alain Dalais explains the thinking behind the staggered entry process. “As a token of appreciation to all Green Number Club athletes and CMA Members for their many years of loyalty and dedication to the Comrades Marathon, the first stage of the entry process will open only for them. Thereafter we will take entries from the rest of the field. The really good news for runners is that entry fees remain the same as that of the 2023,

2024 and 2025 races, in our continuing effort to make the race accessible to as many runners as we can.”

Online entries can be done via the Comrades Marathon website (www.comrades.com) or on the Comrades Marathon app, and runners can choose the option to pay the entry fee in one immediate instalment, or in two instalments: 50% on entering and the remaining 50% by the end of February 2026. Another aid to runners who want to enter the race is the continuation of the Comrades Runners’ Relief Fund, an initiative that allows up to 1500 disadvantaged athletes to apply for a reduced entry fee of up to 50%. Terms and conditions apply, and more details are available on the official Comrades website. (Note: The entry fee is waived for holders of 25 or more Comrades medals.)

Qualification for the 2026 Comrades Marathon is applicable from 9 June 2025 to 4 May 2026. This does not include the 2025 Comrades Marathon, which took place on 8 June 2025. The qualifying criteria for next year’s Comrades Marathon remain unchanged, requiring completion of an officially timed standard 42.2km marathon in under 5 hours. (Other distances and required times will be available on the Comrades Marathon website.) The closing date for submission of qualifying details, including seeding upgrade requests and club and license information, is 4 May 2026.

“Runners should also note that the substitution process, for those runners who have entered but then wish to relinquish their entry to another runner, will run over the months of March and April 2026. The window for withdrawals will run from 16 to 30 March 2026, followed by the window for securing the substitute entry, running from 1 to 15 April 2026,” says Dalais. “The athlete substituting in will pay the full 2026 race entry fee to the Comrades Marathon Association, while the withdrawing athlete will be charged an administrative fee of 15% of their entry fee, and will thus be refunded 85% of their entry fee. No money or vouchers will be exchanged between athletes.”

Prize Monies Increased

Dalais also confirms that prize money for the 2026 Comrades Marathon has once again been increased by 10% across all prize money categories. This means that the winners in both the Men’s and Women’s races will take home a cool R925,000 as part of a total prize purse of R8.19-million. This total includes a bonus incentive of R605,000 should either the men’s or women’s race winners break the Best Time previously recorded for the Up Run, and another bonus incentive of R550,000 for the men’s and women’s winners if they break the Average Pace Record for the Up Run. The current men’s Up Run Record is 5:24:49, run by Russian Leonid Shvetsov in 2008, while the women’s Up Run Record of 5:49:46 was set by South Africa’s Gerda Steyn in 2024.

There will also be prizes for the first South African man and woman, and in conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the race will reward the first, second and third KwaZulu-Natal men and women over the line with a cash prize.

Running to Help Others

Since its inception in 1996, the Comrades Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive has raised more than R84-million for the CMA’s official charities, and all 2026 Comrades Marathon runners are urged to join hands with the CMA in raising much-needed funds for these six official charities for the 2026 race: Childhood Cancer Foundation SA, Childline KwaZulu-Natal, Community Chest of Pietermaritzburg & Durban, Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, Rise Against Hunger and SANParks Honorary Rangers.

“The Comrades Marathon is more than a race; it is an inspiration and a force for change. We therefore call on all runners to do your bit to contribute to the welfare of those who need our compassion and generosity,” says Ngcobo. “In 2025, the spirit of The Ultimate Human Race shone brightly, with a record-breaking total of just over R8-million raised for the CMA’s AmaBeadiBeadi official charities. I urge all aspirant 2026 entrants to select the Official Comrades Charity whose mission resonates with your own calling, and for you to run your 2026 Comrades race as a fundraiser for that special cause, and we hope to see the 2026 Comrades break all records for fundraising efforts by our runners and stakeholders.”

Passing of Cheryl Winn

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is saddened by the sudden passing on Sunday 5 October of Cheryl Winn, the 1982 women’s winner, a former Chair of the CMA Board, and a devoted servant of not only the Comrades Marathon, but the whole sport of road running in South Africa. Tragically, she passed away while pursuing one of her passions, nature photography, on a family holiday in the Drakensberg.

Cheryl ran the Comrades Marathon six times from 1978 to 1984, never finishing lower than fifth position in the women’s race. Having finished fourth in her first race, she was runner-up twice in 1980 and 1981, then claimed the women’s title in 1982. While still running competitively, Winn became involved in the administrative side of the sport, initially at club and provincial level, and went on to play a leading role, alongside her late husband, Mick Winn, in the national federation, South African Road Running Association (SARRA), which later became Athletics South Africa (ASA).

Cheryl is perhaps best remembered for her many years of service to the Comrades Marathon, leading to many describing her as the matriarch of the event. Once again working alongside her late husband, himself a former Chair of the CMA Board and Comrades Marathon legend, Winn filled several roles for the CMA, including as a Board Member. In 2017, she became the only former winner of the race to be elected Chair of the CMA Board, and when she stood down as Chair in 2021, she continued to serve the race as part of the Finance, Marketing & Membership, and Heritage & Traditions Committees, as well as the CMA Elders Committee.

CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo says, “Cheryl’s passing is a great loss not only to the CMA, but to the whole athletics family. She dedicated her life from 1978 to the service of the sport of athletics, and the Comrades Marathon in particular. Cheryl’s legacy in this 104-year-old ultra marathon is unparalleled, and her passing is a devastating loss to the CMA family. She remains the Comrades Marathon’s matriarch.”

“On behalf of the CMA Board, staff, race organising committee, our elders, sponsors, partners and participants, we pass our deepest condolences to the Winn family, and wish you strength as you deal with this tragic loss. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.”

Rudi du plessis passed away - Another COMRADES MARATHON gold medallist gone

Rudi trained with Nick Bester at his house in Pretoria while he was searching for a Gold medal

He always raced that tough 8 km in Nelspruit in February at 5 pm in sweltering heat and humidity and that year Nick ran 24:50 in 3rd and Meck Mothuli won and Rudi beat Nick - he was second. Nick went to train on his father’s plot near Sappi below Kaapse hoop.

Rudi got Gold in 1993 when Nick Bester and Bruce Fordyce was commentating on Comrades – the world 100 km in Belgium was too close for Nick and Bruce to race Comrades that year. Nick was so surprised to see him moving into 6th position while commentating and I nearly forgot his name when he spoke on TV. 3 Comrades Marathon gold medallist which include 2 x winners passed on this last few weeks - Jetman Msutu, Cheryl Winn, Rudi du Plessis

Muddy Princess 

25 October 2025 (Free State) and 16 November 2025 (Gauteng)