The countdown has begun. With just hours remaining before the starting gun fires on the 105th Comrades Marathon, the atmosphere in Durban is electric—and at the center of it all stands a man on the brink of immortality. Defending champion Tete Dijana has declared, with quiet but unmistakable conviction, that he is determined to make history on Sunday by winning the ultimate human race for a fourth time, becoming the first black athlete to achieve that feat in the event’s century-long history.
The 105th Comrades is an “up-run”—starting in Durban and finishing 87 kilometers later in Pietermaritzburg, climbing relentlessly through the famous Polly Shortts and Inchanga hills. It is widely considered the tougher of the two directions, punishing the legs and testing the soul. But Dijana, who has won three times already (2022, 2023, and 2025), has proven himself a master of both courses. His 2022 victory was an up-run, giving him the confidence that he can conquer the ascent once more.
What makes this year’s race particularly compelling is the weight of history. No black South African athlete has ever won the Comrades four times. The all-time record holders are Bruce Fordyce (eight wins) and the legendary Wally Hayward (five wins), both from different eras. A fourth victory for Dijana would not only etch his name alongside those giants but also cement his status as the greatest black distance runner in Comrades history—a title he has so far worn with characteristic humility.
“My body feels ready. My mind feels strong,” Dijana said at the pre-race press conference. “The up-run is difficult, but difficult is not impossible. I am running for my family, for my team, and for every young black child who needs to see that we can also break records.”
Competition will be fierce. Fellow elite runners from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and a deep local field are hungry to dethrone the champion. But Dijana has never looked more focused. At 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, the gun will fire. By midday, history may have a new name.
About The Author
