Picture: The 2025 Comrade Marathon winner, Tete Dijana
By OBAKENG MAJE
12 June 2025- South African superstar, Tete Dijana has further strengthened his status as one of the world’s best ultra-distance runners. This comes after a Signal Hill-born runner emerged triumphant once again in the Comrades Marathon on 8 June 2025.
Dijana, the winner in 2022 and 2023, crossed the line first in 5:25:28. In the men’s race, the Sekhing-born runner, Onalenna Khonkhobe, led for most of the race, but he was eventually caught with less than 20km to go. Dijana surged into the lead, but struggled to shake off the determined challenge of 2024 winner, Dutchman Piet Wiersma.
The South African had to dig deep to maintain his small lead, and in a repeat finish of the 2023 race, Dijana took the win in 5:25:27, with Wiersma crossing the line in 5:25:32.
“I came prepared and stuck to my race plan. In the last 10km, I saw Piet was closing, so I accelerated and opened the gap, and I felt like I was in control,” he said.
The Comrade Marathon Association (CMA) General Manager, Alain Dalais said this was the 98th edition of the iconic ultra between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, run in alternating directions each year, and this was the 49th edition of the Down Run.
Dalais said the official distance of this year’s race was 89.98km and as the event builds up to its much-anticipated 100th edition in 2027, the 2025 race attracted a record field for the Down Run of 22,677 qualifying entrants. He further said this prompted the Comrades Marathon Association’s decision to introduce the first ever split start in the event’s history, for safety reasons and to allow all runners in the field the opportunity to get over the start line quicker.
“The is saw Group 1 starting at 5:45am, and Group 2 setting off at 6:00am, as a slightly later start than the traditional 5:30am start, in order for the runners to enjoy better light conditions in the early kilometres, notably on the descent of Polly Shortts hill.
“Both start groups still had 12 hours to finish the race. Another innovation in the 2025 race was a new street finish in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, with a festive hospitality and club area next to the finish in People’s Park,” added Dalais.
Reflecting on a successful 98th edition of the race, he said, “We are really happy with the way the split start worked so well, with both Start Groups clearing the start line within six minutes.
“We’ve also received a lot of positive feedback about the new street finish, and we look forward to building on these aspects as we prepare for 2027. We treated this 2025 race as a dress rehearsal for the 100th edition, and while every race will have things that we can improve on, we are happy with the innovations introduced this year, and feel we are on track for an even better Down Run in 2027.”
Dalais said he would like to congratulate all the runners who took part in the race, from Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn to the final finishers in the last hour, from the novices tackling their first Comrades Marathon and those earning their Back-to-Back medals, to the Yellow Number Runners completing their 10th and earning their Green Numbers, and all the way to Louis Massyn, finishing his 50th and becoming the first athlete ever to reach this incredible Quintuple Green Number milestone.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports, and Recreation spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said: “We are organising a welcome ceremony for our winners led by the 98th Comrades Marathon Winner Morena Tete Dijana. The athletes will be travelling from Rustenburg on N4.
“Over the years, the North West has become a notable contributor to this national event, consistently producing top-performing long-distance athletes. These athletes not only showcase extraordinary physical prowess but also promote a sense of pride, resilience, and hope within their communities.”
The Guardian 