2026 Comrades Marathon Winner: George Kusche and Gerda Steyn Make History in Record-Breaking Up Run
The 2026 Comrades Marathon delivered the kind of drama, endurance and national celebration that has made the race one of the most respected ultramarathons in the world. On Sunday, June 14, 2026, South Africa’s George Kusche and Gerda Steyn emerged as the headline winners of the 99th edition of the “Ultimate Human Race,” producing performances that will be remembered not only for victory, but for the way both athletes reshaped the record books.
- A Breakthrough Win for George Kusche
- Men’s 2026 Comrades Marathon Podium
- Gerda Steyn Strengthens Her Comrades Legacy
- Women’s 2026 Comrades Marathon Podium
- Women’s Top 10 Finishers
- Government Presence at the Prize-Giving Ceremony
- “Ska Fela Moya — Never Give Up”
- Safety and Security for More Than 21,000 Runners
- Why the 2026 Comrades Marathon Matters
- Conclusion
Kusche won the men’s race in a record time of 5:15:56, claiming his first Comrades Marathon title with a composed and decisive late surge. Steyn, already one of the defining figures in modern South African distance running, won the women’s race in 5:44:53, securing her fifth Comrades Marathon title and her fourth consecutive victory.
The 2026 edition was an “up” run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, a route known for testing not only speed but discipline, patience and the ability to respond when the final stages begin to punish even the strongest contenders.
A Breakthrough Win for George Kusche
George Kusche’s victory was a breakthrough moment in South African road running. Representing Nedbank Running Club, Kusche produced a measured race that only fully opened up in the closing stages.
For much of the men’s contest, the race appeared to belong to South Africa’s Mbuti Mollo, who led at the halfway mark. But the Comrades Marathon is rarely won by early dominance alone. After about 68km, Mollo began to struggle and briefly walked before resuming, a sign that the pressure of the late-race pace was beginning to tell.
Kusche waited, judged his effort carefully, and then moved decisively. Once he took the lead in the closing stages, he pulled away strongly to secure the men’s title in 5:15:56.
Behind him, Dutchman Piet Wiersma, the defending champion, finished second in 5:19:36, while Mollo held on for third in 5:21:31.
Men’s 2026 Comrades Marathon Podium
| Position | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Kusche | South Africa | 5:15:56 |
| 2 | Piet Wiersma | Netherlands | 5:19:36 |
| 3 | Mbuti Mollo | South Africa | 5:21:31 |
Kusche’s win was significant because it combined tactical maturity with a bold final push. In an event where the distance can expose even the smallest miscalculation, his patient strategy turned into a commanding finish.
Gerda Steyn Strengthens Her Comrades Legacy
While Kusche’s victory announced a new champion, Gerda Steyn’s win reinforced a legacy already firmly established.
Steyn captured the women’s race in 5:44:53, setting a new up-run record and adding a fifth Comrades Marathon title to her career. Her fourth consecutive victory underlined her remarkable consistency at the highest level of ultramarathon running.
The women’s race was competitive for much of the day. Steyn was locked in a battle with Nobukhosi Tshuma, who pushed her deep into the race. But shortly after the four-hour mark, Steyn pulled away and took control.
Tshuma finished second in 5:53:36, while Irvette van Zyl completed the podium in third place with a time of 6:02:30.
Women’s 2026 Comrades Marathon Podium
| Position | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerda Steyn | South Africa | 5:44:53 |
| 2 | Nobukhosi Tshuma | — | 5:53:36 |
| 3 | Irvette van Zyl | South Africa | 6:02:30 |
Steyn’s total prize purse was reported as R2.322 million, including rewards for first place, being the leading South African, setting a new race record, and achieving the fastest average pace record.
Women’s Top 10 Finishers
The women’s top 10 also included Shelmith Muruiki in fourth, Naomi Robinson in fifth, Loveness Madziva in sixth, Courtney Olsen in seventh, Dikiledi Majara in eighth, Jenet Mbhele in ninth, and Carla Molinaro in tenth.
Their performances showed the depth of the field in a race where finishing inside the top 10 requires elite pacing, physical resilience and the ability to absorb the brutal demands of the up-run route.
Government Presence at the Prize-Giving Ceremony
The race also drew official attention from the South African government. Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, attended the 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon and was set to take part in the prize-giving ceremony.
According to the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Deputy Minister was “also forming part of the key dignitaries receiving the male and female winners from number 1 to 10, including the prize-giving ceremony set to start at 2:30pm.”
Mabe’s attendance also included support for two runners representing the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, adding a symbolic link between the country’s sporting leadership and the athletes participating in one of South Africa’s most iconic endurance events.
“Ska Fela Moya — Never Give Up”
Ahead of the race, the South African government extended its well wishes to the thousands of local and international athletes taking part.
“To all the athletes, volunteers, organisers, medical teams, security personnel, and support crews working tirelessly behind the scenes: Ska Fela Moya — never give up,” the Government Communication and Information System said.
That phrase captured the emotional weight of the Comrades Marathon. For elite runners, it is a championship stage. For thousands of others, it is a personal test of endurance, sacrifice and determination.
Safety and Security for More Than 21,000 Runners
The 2026 race also required a major operational effort. The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure said comprehensive safety and security measures had been put in place.
“Over 21 000 runners will participate in the 99th edition of the Ultimate Human Race. The route has been declared a no-fly zone, hotspot areas have been identified, and law enforcement, private security, and marshals will be deployed to ensure a safe and incident-free event,” it said.
The scale of the event makes safety planning essential. With thousands of runners, spectators, volunteers and officials spread across the route, the Comrades Marathon is not only a sporting competition but a large public operation requiring coordination across multiple agencies.
Why the 2026 Comrades Marathon Matters
The 2026 Comrades Marathon will be remembered for two different but equally powerful stories.
For George Kusche, it was the arrival of a new men’s champion. His first Comrades title, won in record time, marked a defining breakthrough and placed him among the major names in South African ultramarathon running.
For Gerda Steyn, it was another chapter in an already extraordinary career. A fifth title and fourth consecutive win strengthened her position as one of the great figures in the history of the race.
Together, Kusche and Steyn gave South Africa a double celebration on a day when the country’s athletes dominated the headlines. Their victories also showed why the Comrades Marathon remains such a compelling event: it combines elite racing, national pride, personal struggle and public spectacle in one demanding test.
Conclusion
The answer to “who won the 2026 Comrades Marathon?” is clear: George Kusche won the men’s race, and Gerda Steyn won the women’s race.
But the bigger story is how they won. Kusche delivered a patient, intelligent and record-breaking performance to claim his first title. Steyn produced another dominant display to secure her fifth crown and further build her Comrades legend.
The 99th edition of the Ultimate Human Race did more than crown champions. It produced a historic South African sporting moment, one defined by records, resilience and the enduring Comrades spirit of never giving up.
