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Unisans shine at the challenging down-run 2025 Comrades Marathon

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Dubbed the Ultimate Human Race, the Comrades Marathon this year took place on 8 June 2025, from the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) capital city, Pietermaritzburg, situated in the Midlands, down to the coastal city of Durban. The down-run, as running from the KZN Midlands to the coast is called, has several uphill sections such as Field’s Hill, Botha’s Hill and Cowie’s Hill, which are difficult for the runners to conquer.

In what has become an annual ritual that Unisa supports and encourages, more than 27 staff members ran the 2025 Comrades Marathon. The university has an active and vibrant athletics club, the Unisa Athletics Club, which has sent many runners to run under the Unisa colours and other runners running on their own. This year, over 20 000 runners from different countries came to South Africa to participate in this gruelling 89.98-kilometre ultramarathon. The route is always covered by many spectators who come out in numbers to line up along the route to cheer on the runners and keep them motivated. Unisa runners were supported by staff members from the head office and the KwaZulu-Natal Region who were dedicated to assisting the runners with refreshments and minor medical attention.

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Unisa’s pride: Competitors and support staff at the 2025 Comrades Marathon

This ultra-marathon is the world's largest and oldest of its kind and attracts runners from across the globe. Running and finishing this marathon is prestigious on its own for most runners, and we congratulate the following Unisa Athletics Club runners:

  • Matome Lebepe (1st Unisa runner to finish)
  • Jan Maluleka (2nd Unisa runner to finish)
  • Noko Mojela (3rd Unisa runner to finish)
  • Dorah Lebepe
  • Motsatsi Ratala
  • Sibusiso Ndlangamandla
  • Ali Makena
  • Lesedi Matsetse
  • Morgan Mashweu
  • Thomas Mathebula
  • Mamotsau Eric Magoro
  • Tshepo Matseke
  • Ndiafhi Sikhitha
  • Modise Moseki
  • Mpho Maaboyi
  • Wayne Shabangu
  • Mpilo Dube
  • Delvah Mabaso
  • Teboho Majara
  • Thuthukani Msomi
  • Ricky Soobramaniyen
  • Simon Mamabolo
  • Philangani Sibiya
  • Amos Shibambu
  • Njabulo Mkhize
  • Siphelele Ngcobo

Assisted by staff members from the head office and the region, the KwaZulu-Natal Region Health and Wellness Committee coordinated support for the runners, and the Communications Department ensured visibility of the Unisa brand at strategic points along the route. All Unisa athletes were supported equally, regardless of whether or not they ran under university colours.

Simangele Ndlovu from the KZN Region said everyone who participated in this fantastic experience of the Comrades Marathon and supported Unisa’s athletes played a critical role in ensuring that they succeeded in their endeavours to achieve a better race-finishing time, thus making Unisa proud.

Their achievements embody the very essence of human endurance, camaraderie and the pursuit of excellence. This year’s marathon has once again highlighted the remarkable feats that can be accomplished through perseverance and an unwavering commitment to one’s goals.

Zama Msomi, from the Muckleneuk Campus Library, was on the ground to support her fellow librarian and ever-enthusiastic Unisan husband, Thuthukani Msomi, to ensure that he crossed the finishing line before the cut-off time. However, Matome Lebepe, the first Unisan to cross the finishing line, took the honour of being the first Unisan to cross the finishing line from the School of Graduate Business Leadership (SBL) library.

The spirit of Unisa’s aspiration and commitment to become the African university in the service of humanity could not have been demonstrated better than supporting and taking part in the ultimate human race – the Comrades Marathon. Congratulations to all 2025 Unisa Comrades Marathon runners.

* By Siyabonga Seme, Manager: Communication, KwaZulu-Natal Region

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Publish date: 2025-06-09 00:00:00.0

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