The Comrades Marathon results show over a century of competitive endurance running. Bill Rowan won the first race in 1921 in 8:59:00, and Arthur Newton dominated the 1920s with five wins. Wally Hayward and Bruce Fordyce became major figures, with Hayward winning five times across the 1930s to 1950s, and Fordyce winning nine times in the 1980s. The women's race, officially recognised from 1975, saw standout performances like Frith van der Merwe’s 5:54:43 in 1989, a record that stood for decades. In the 2000s, Russian athletes Elena and Olesya Nurgalieva were dominant, winning most of the women's races between 2003 and 2015.

From 2014 onwards, South African athletes began winning more consistently. Bongmusa Mthembu won three titles, and David Gatebe set the men’s down run record of 5:18:19 in 2016. Gerda Steyn has become the leading figure in the women’s field, breaking the down run record in 2023 (5:44:54) and the up run record in 2024 (5:49:46). On the men’s side, Tete Dijana broke the down run record on his way to his second victory in 2023, while Dutch runner Piet Wiersma won in 2024 and finished second in 2023. Since the end of COVID-related cancellations in 2020 and 2021, the race has returned with faster times and stronger fields, both local and international.

To date, Bruce Fordyce holds the record for the most men's victories with nine wins, while Elena Nurgalieva leads the women's field with eight wins.

Race Winners

Key:

Past Comrades winners Year Time (Men) Men's Champion Club Time (Women) Women's Champion ClubNotes2026 u 5:15:56 Nedbank 5:44:53 Gerda Steyn5Hollywood Bets 2025 d 5:25:28 Tete Dijana3Nedbank 5:51.19 Gerda Steyn4Hollywood Bets 2024 u 5:25:00 Nedbank 5:49.46 Gerda Steyn3Phantane 2023 d 5:13:58 Tete Dijana2 Nedbank 5:44.54 Gerda Steyn2Phantane 2022 d 5:30:38 Tete Dijana Nedbank 6:17:48 Alexandra Morozova International cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic2019u5:31:33 Edward MothibiNedbank RC GN5:58:53 Gerda SteynNedbank RC JHB2018d5:26:34 Bongmusa Mthembu3Arthur Ford AC6:10:03 Ann AshworthMassmart AC CG2017u5:35:34 Bongmusa Mthembu2Arthur Ford AC6:27:35 Camille HerronNedbank RC International2016d5:18:19 David GatebeTomTom AC6:25:55 Charné BosmanNedbank RC CG2015u5:38:36 Gift KeleheSamancor Chrome MC6:12:22 Caroline WöstmannNedbank RC2014d5:28:29 Bongmusa MthembuNedbank RC KZN6:18:12 Eleanor GreenwoodNedbank International2013u5:32:09 Claude MoshiywaNedbank RC GN6:27:09 Elena Nurgalieva8Maxed Elite International2012d5:31:03 Ludwick MamaboloMaxed Elite KZN6:07:12 Elena Nurgalieva7Maxed Elite International2011u5:32:45 Stephen Muzhingi3Formula 1 Bluff Meats AC6:24:11 Elena Nurgalieva6Maxed Elite International2010d5:29:01 Stephen Muzhingi2Formula 1 Bluff Meats AC6:13:03 Elena Nurgalieva5Maxed Elite International2009d5:23:27 Stephen MuzhingiFormula 1 Bluff Meats AC6:12:08 Olesya Nurgalieva2Maxed Elite International2008u5:24:49 Leonid Shvetsov2Harmony International6:14:38 Elena Nurgalieva4Maxed Elite International2007d5:20:49 Leonid ShvetsovHarmony International6:10:11 Olesya NurgalievaHarmony International2006u5:35:19 Oleg KharitonovHarmony International 6:09:24 Elena Nurgalieva3Russia2005d5:27:10 Sipho NgomaneHarmony AC MPL5:58:50 Tatyana ZhirkovaRussia2004u5:31:22 Vladimir Kotov3Maxed Elite PE6:11:15 Elena Nurgalieva2Premier AC2003d5:28:52 Fusi NhlapoLiberty Nike AC CG6:07:46 Elena NurgalievaRussia2002u5:30:59 Vladimir Kotov2Maxed Elite International6:14:21 Maria Bak3Germany2001d5:25:51 Andrew KeleheRentmeester Fattis & Monis GN6:13:53 Elvira KolpakovaRussia2000u5:25:33 Vladimir KotovMaxed Elite International6:15:35 Maria Bak2Germany1999d5:30:10 Jaroslaw JanickiMaxed Elite International6:31:03 Birgit LennartzGermany1998u5:26:25 Dmitri Grishin2Rentmeester Fattis & Monis WP6:38:57 Rae BisschoffRocky Road Runners1997d5:28:37 Charl MattheusRentmeester Fattis & Monis WP5:58:24 Ann Trason2USA1996u5:29:33 Dmitri GrishinRentmeester Fattis & Monis WP6:13:23 Ann TrasonUSA1995d5:34:02 Shaun MeiklejohnMaxed Elite KZN6:22:57 Maria BakGermany1994u5:38:39 Alberto SalazarUSA6:41:23 Valentina LyakhovaComrades International1993d5:39:41 Charly DollGermany6:55:07 Tilda TearleSavages AC1992u5:46:11 Jetman MsutuThe 1992 race was won by Charl Mattheus, who was later disqualified, testing positive for a banned stimulant found in cough syrup. Shortly thereafter the particular stimulant was removed from the list of banned substances, but Mattheus was never reinstated as winner.unknown6:51:05 Frances van BlerkMagnolia Road Runners1991d5:40:53 Nick BesterMagnolia Road Runners6:08:19 Frith van der Merwe3Benoni Northerns AC1990u5:40:25 Bruce Fordyce9Rand AC7:02:00 Naidene HarrisonLadysmith AC1989d5:35:51 Samuel TshabalalaSpectrum Athletic Club5:54:43 Frith van der Merwe2Benoni Northerns AC1988u5:27:42 Bruce Fordyce8Rand AC6:32:56 Frith van der MerweBenoni Northerns AC1987u5:37:01 Bruce Fordyce7Rand AC6:48:42 Helen Lucre3Hillcrest Villagers AC1986d5:24:07 Bruce Fordyce6Rand AC6:55:01 Helen Lucre2Hillcrest Villagers AC1985u5:37:01 Bruce Fordyce5University of Witwatersrand6:53:24 Helen LucreHillcrest Villagers AC1984d5:27:18 Bruce Fordyce4University of Witwatersrand6:46:35 Lindsay Weight2University of Cape Town AC1983u5:30:12 Bruce Fordyce3University of Witwatersrand7:12:56 Lindsay WeightUniversity of Cape Town AC1982d5:34:22 Bruce Fordyce2University of Witwatersrand7:04:59 Cheryl WinnPirates Road Running1981u5:37:28 Bruce FordyceUniversity of Witwatersrand6:44:35 Isavel Roche-Kelly2University of Cape Town AC1980d5:38:25 Alan Robb4Germiston Callies Harriers7:18:00 Isavel Roche-KellyUniversity of Cape Town AC1979u5:45:02 Piet VorsterCollegians Harriers8:22:41 Jan Mallenunknown1978d5:29:14 Alan Robb3Germiston Callies Harriers8:25: Lettie van Zyl3Germiston Callies Harriers1977u5:47:00 Alan Robb2Germiston Callies Harriers8:58: Lettie van Zyl2Germiston Callies Harriers1976d5:40:53 Alan RobbGermiston Callies Harriers9:05: Lettie van ZylGermiston Callies Harriers1975u5:53:00 Derek Preiss2Westville AC10:08: Elizabeth Cavanagh2Estcourt AC1974u6:02:49 Derek PreissWestville AC10:40: Alet KleynhansJohannesburg Harriers AC1973d5:39:09 Dave LevickUniversity of Cape Town AC8:40: Maureen Holland4unknown1972u5:48:57 Mick OrtonTipton Harriers9:26: Maureen Holland3unknown1971d5:47:06 Dave Bagshaw3Savages AC8:37: Maureen Holland2unknown1970u5:51:27 Dave Bagshaw2Savages AC10:50: Elizabeth CavanaghEstcourt AC1969d5:45:35 Dave BagshawSavages AC1968u6:01:11 Jack Mekler5Germiston Callies Harriers1967d5:54:10 Manie KuhnSavages AC1966u6:14:07 Tommy MaloneGermiston Callies Harriers9:30:00 Maureen Hollandunknown1965d5:51:09 Bernard Gomersallunknown10:07: Mavis HutchinsonGermiston Callies Harriers1964u6:09:54 Jack Mekler4Germiston Callies Harriers1963d5:51:20 Jack Mekler3Germiston Callies Harriers1962u5:57:05 John Smithunknown1961d6:07:07 George ClaassenGermiston Callies Harriers1960u5:56:32 Jack Mekler2Germiston Callies Harriers1959d6:28:11 Trevor Allen2Durban AC1958u6:26:26 Jack MeklerGermiston Callies Harriers1957d6:13:55 Mercer DaviesGermiston Callies Harriers1956u6:33:35 Gerald Walsh2Durban AC1955d6:06:32 Gerald WalshDurban AC1954u6:12:55 Wally Hayward5Germiston Callies Harriers1953d5:52:30 Wally Hayward4Germiston Callies Harriers1952u7:00:02 Trevor AllenDurban AC1951d6:14:08 Wally Hayward3Germiston Callies Harriers1950u6:46:25 Wally Hayward2Germiston Callies Harriers1949d6:23:21 Reg Allisonunknown1948u7:13:52 William Savage2Durban AC1947d6:41:05Hardy Ballington5unknown1946u7:02:40 Bill Cochrane2unknown not held from 1941 to 1945 due to World War II1940u6:39:23 Allen BoyceDurban AC1939d6:22:05 Johnny Coleman2unknown1938u6:32:26 Hardy Ballington4unknown1937d6:23:11 Johnny Colemanunknown1936u6:46:14 Hardy Ballington3unknown1935d6:30:05 Bill Cochraneunknown1934u7:09:03 Hardy Ballington2unknown1933d6:50:37 Hardy Ballingtonunknown9:31:25 Geraldine Watson3unknown1932u7:41:58 William SavageGermiston Callies Harriers11:56:00 Geraldine Watson2unknown1931d7:16:30 Phil Masterton-SmithNatal Carbineers AC11 hrs + Geraldine Watsonunknown1930u7:27:26 Wally HaywardGermiston Callies Harriers1929d7:52:00 Darrell Daleunknown1928u7:49:07 Frank Suttonunknown1927d6:40:56 Arthur Newton5unknown1926u6:57:46 Harry Phillipsunknown1925d6:24:45 Arthur Newton4unknown1924u6:58:22 Arthur Newton3unknown1923d6:56:00 Arthur Newton2unknown11:35:00 Frances Haywardunknown1922u8:40:00 Arthur Newtonunknown1921d8:59:00 Bill Rowanunknown

Multiple winners '+' denotes winner of both an up and a down run

Men's championWins Club Women's championWins Club Bruce Fordyce +9 Wits AC, Rand AC Elena Nurgalieva +8 Arthur Newton +5 Gerda Steyn +5 Nedbank RC, Phantane AC, Hollywood Bets RC Hardy Ballington +5 Maureen Holland +4 Wally Hayward +5 Germiston Callies Harriers Lettie van Zyl +3 Germiston Callies Harriers Jackie Mekler +5 Germiston Callies Harriers Helen Lucre +3 Hillcrest Villagers AC Alan Robb +4 Germiston Callies Harriers Frith van der Merwe +3 Benoni Northerns AC Dave Bagshaw +3 Savages AC Maria Bak +3 Germany Stephen Muzhingi +3 Isavel Roche-Kelly +2 UCT AC Vladimir Kotov3 Elizabeth Cavanagh2 Estcourt AC Bongmusa Mthembu +3 Olesya Nurgalieva2 Tete Dijana3 Nedbank RC Ann Trason +2 USA Johnny Coleman2 Lindsay Weight +2 UCT AC Bill Cochrane +2 Gerald Walsh +2 Durban AC Trevor Allen +2 Durban AC Derek Preiss2 Westville AC Dmitri Grishin2 Leonid Shvetsov +2

First South Africans As the race has grown in profile globally, and since the end of sporting isolation, international runners have come to dominate the race for periods of time. As a result, the first South African home each year is also now awarded a separate prize.

The following have had the distinction of being the first male and female South African across the finish line (overall finishing position in brackets), in years where the winner was an international runner:

+ First South African Finishers in International Winner Years Year Athlete (Men) Event Club Overall Position Athlete (Women) Event Club Overall Position 2024 Dan Moselakwe Men's Nedbank Running Club 2nd 2022 Adele Broodryk Women's Murray & Roberts AC NW 3rd 2017 Charné Bosman Women's Nedbank Running Club GN 2nd 2014 Caroline Wostmann Women's Nedbank Running Club GN 6th 2013 Charné Bosman Women's Bonitas AC CG 5th 2012 Kerry Koen Women's Bonitas AC CG 4th 2011 Fanie Matshipa Men's Samcor Marathon Club PE 2nd Farwa Mentoor Women's Bonitas AC CG 5th 2010 Ludwick Mamabolo Men's Maxed Elite CGA 2nd Farwa Mentoor Women's Bonitas AC CG 5th 2009 Charles Tjiane Men's Maxed Elite CGA 3rd Farwa Mentoor Women's Bonitas AC CG 5th 2008 Harmans Mokgadi Men's Nedbank Running Club GN 6th Riana van Niekerk Women's Maxed Elite CGA 6th 2007 Mncedisi Mkhize Men's Maxed Elite CGA 3rd Farwa Mentoor Women's Harmony AC GN 4th 2006 Brian Zondi Men's Harmony AC CG 2nd Farwa Mentoor Women's Harmony AC GN 6th 2005 Farwa Mentoor Women's Harmony AC GN 4th 2004 Willie Mtolo Men's Harmony AC CG 4th Farwa Mentoor Women's Harmony AC GN 3rd 2003 Farwa Mentoor Women's Harmony AC GN 8th 2002 Willie Mtolo Men's Harmony AC CG 2nd Farwa Mentoor Women's Adidas AC 4th 2001 Deborah Mattheus Women's Harmony AC GW 2nd 2000 Donovan Wright Men's Maxed Elite PE 4th Grace de Oliveira Women's Maxed Elite KZN 3rd 1999 Andrew Kelehe Men's Rentmeester Fattis & Monis WP 2nd Grace de Oliveira Women's Maxed Elite KZN 2nd 1998 Charl Mattheus Men's Rentmeester Fattis & Monis WP 2nd 1997 Charlotte Noble Women's club unknown 5th 1996 Nick Bester Men's Tuks Road Runners Club 2nd Jowaine Parrott Women's Tygervalley Bellville AC 4th 1995 Helene Joubert Women's Agape AC GN 2nd 1994 Nick Bester Men's Tuks Road Runners Club 2nd Sanet Beukes Women's Westville AC 4th 1993 Theo Rafiri Men's club unknown 2nd 1972 Dave Bagshaw Men's Savages AC 2nd 1965 Jackie Mekler Men's Germiston Callies Harriers 2nd 1962 Jackie Mekler Men's Germiston Callies Harriers 2nd

See also History of the Comrades Marathon Records and Statistics of the Comrades Marathon

References