The 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon delivered a historic day of ultra-distance running as George Kusche stormed to victory in the 2026 Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, setting a new course record in the process. The race, which attracted more than 21,000 runners, saw athletes tackle the gruelling 85.77km route between the two KwaZulu-Natal cities.
Kusche produced a dominant performance, breaking away from the leading pack and crossing the finish line in a remarkable 5:15:56, shattering the previous Up Run course record and securing the biggest victory of his career. His tactical race and relentless pace over the challenging route ensured his name would be written into Comrades Marathon history. The victory marks one of the fastest performances ever recorded in the iconic ultramarathon.
In the women’s race, Gerda Steyn continued her reign as South Africa’s queen of ultra-distance running, claiming another Comrades Marathon title after leading the field for much of the race. Steyn’s victory adds to her growing legacy in the event, where she has already established herself as one of the greatest female runners in Comrades history.
The 2026 Comrades Marathon once again lived up to its reputation as “The Ultimate Human Race”, producing record-breaking performances, emotional finishes and another memorable chapter in one of South Africa’s most celebrated sporting events. Kusche’s historic triumph and Steyn’s latest victory ensured that the 99th running of the race will be remembered as a landmark edition of the world-famous ultramarathon.
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