Intro: Comrades – known as the most gruelling but also the most exhilarating ultra-marathon – has the power to inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things. This sentiment, attributed to nine-time winner Bruce Fordyce, highlights the race’s ability to bring out the best in runners and push them beyond their wildest expectations.
In our 2025 Comrades newsletter, we focused on some of our West Coast Legends who’ve achieved Green numbers, double Green numbers and, in some cases, triple Green numbers!
The road to Comrades continues: what goes Down must go Up
For many athletes, earning a Comrades medal is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. But often the challenge doesn’t end there. Returning to tackle Comrades for a second consecutive year and earning the coveted Back-to-Back medal (which you only get one shot at!) requires a different kind of commitment – one built on consistency, commitment and continuously showing up, no matter how bumpy the road gets!
This year, West Coast Athletic Club is proud to have 89 Comrades runners ready to tackle the Up Run, of which 23 are taking on the challenge of completing their Back-to-Back runs. Below, we’ve highlighted just a few Westies going for Back-to-Back glory in 2026!
A medley of hard work and perseverance: Marelize Zeeman-Theron (41)
As a professional violinist and violin teacher, Marelizespent years balancing music, family life, and an active lifestyle before eventually finding her way to the Ultimate Human Race.Although she only started running eight years ago, staying active has always been part of Marelize’s life. Before becoming a mother, she was an enthusiastic cyclist, completing the Cape Town Cycle Tour and spending plenty of time mountain biking.
When her twins (now 9) were born, however, life changed. “Like many parents, I quickly realised how much I missed being active,” she says.
When the twins turned one, Marelize knew it was time to get moving again. And it was her best friend and fellow Westie, Beverley du Plessis, who encouraged her to give running a try. “The rest is history,” she laughs.
Like millions of South Africans, Marelize grew up watching the Comrades on TV. Year after year she watched runners battle through the highs and lows of the race. “I admired their determination and always thought to myself, ‘One day.’ ” That dream finally became a reality last year when she entered her first Comrades marathon as a special birthday gift to herself. “What better way to celebrate turning 40 than having 20 000 people celebrate with you?” she jokes.
Discovering the Down run
Many runners speak about the challenges of Comrades’ famous Down run, but Marelize had a rather different first impression. “Not down at all!” she recalls. As the race unfolded, she found herself asking, “If this is the Down Run, what is the Up Run like?”
Like many first-time Comrades runners, she quickly learnt that even the so-called “easier” direction demands enormous respect, careful pacing, and mental toughness. Her biggest lesson of the day? “Realising just how strong you really are! When you feel completely depleted, when you think you have nothing left to give and are ready to give up, there is still so much more fight left in you. Just keep moving. There are so many guardian angels along the route. You may not realise it in the moment, but when you reflect on race day afterwards, you’ll recognise the people who appeared exactly when you needed them most. I definitely would not have made it without my fellow Westies: Nola, Paige, Karen and Nono. We are family now.”
The biggest challenge of staying consistent over two years? “Definitely balancing my demanding work schedule, weekend performances after long runs, and still being present at home for my family. It often felt like I was falling short in one area or another, and with that comes a lot of guilt. I hope my kids can take one lesson from my Comrades journey: discipline and hard work pay off. Never doubt yourself, and go after your dreams, no matter how silly or impossible they may seem.”
As Marelize prepares to write the next chapter in her Comrades journey, she reflects on what it means: “Comrades stands out as the race every runner dreams of completing at least once. I cannot explain how proud I was after finishing. It still feels surreal to say that I am a Comrades finisher. Achieving my Back-to-Back medal is for the little girl who always thought, “One day.” It’s a full-circle moment. I kept my promise to my younger self.”
Her advice to first-timers: “Take it all in. It is truly a spectacular day. Look for the guardian angels along the route, and try to be one for someone else. Comrades may not be the most scenic route, but to me it feels as though you carry a small piece of every runner who has ever completed the race with you. That feeling stays with you forever. Keep moving, be patient, and trust the process. The finish line will come.
Finding purpose through running: Cassaraine Jacobs (36)
For many runners, completing a Comrades is a lifelong dream. For Cassaraine, taking on Comrades for a second consecutive year signifies personal growth and discovering what is possible when you step beyond your comfort zone.
When she’s not training, Cassaraine is a wife and mother to her five-year-old son and works as an attorney, so balancing the demands of career, family life, and running all are in a day’s work!
Cassaraine’s love for running began at school, but it was in 2014, after entering her first race, that her running journey became more structured. A few years later, following the birth of her son, she returned to running with renewed purpose.”Running became an important part of finding balance and reconnecting with myself,” she explains.
The decision to tackle Comrades felt like the natural next step. “I wanted to push myself beyond my comfort zone, and see what I was capable of.”
A birthday to remember
Cassaraine’s first Comrades marathon last year coincidentally fell on her birthday, making the day even more memorable. However, it didn’t begin exactly as planned. “I had some technical difficulties with my watch and wasn’t able to monitor my pace for the entire race! Any runner knows that this can spell disaster, but fortunately, I had a Coach Parry pacing band to guide me on where I needed to be at specific times. I made a conscious decision not to let this unexpected issue derail my race and instead chose to run freely and embrace every moment.”
Among the many highlights of her debut Comrades marathon, the unwavering support of her family stands out. “Having my husband, son and sister supporting me along the route and waiting for me at the finish line meant everything; their support carried me through those challenging moments.”
And as if the day wasn’t dramatic enough, Cassaraine’s finish provided one final unforgettable moment.
“I crossed the finish line just as the final countdown ended!!”
My goal was simply to finish, so achieving that, especially under those dramatic circumstances, made me incredibly proud. “Above all, I am so grateful to God for carrying me through the race and helping me finish strong. Being part of Comrades is a true privilege, and the camaraderie is unlike anything else. It’s so much more than a race; it’s a life-changing experience. Having it all unfold on my birthday, surrounded by the love and support of my family, made it even more special, and it’s a day I will treasure forever.”
Her experience last year has taught her that success is not about perfect race plans and execution. Her message to novices: ”Trust your training, don’t overthink the day and allow yourself to truly enjoy and embrace the race. It’s a real honour to be healthy and able to participate in such a legendary race, so soak it all in.”
Better together: Shimone Pretorius (35) and Devin Pike (42)
For many runners, Comrades is a deeply personal challenge. For this West Coast Athletics Club couple, however, it has become a journey built on partnership, mutual support and a shared dream.
Shimone has always dreamt about running Comrades. “Growing up in Pietermaritzburg, where Comrades forms part of the city’s identity, made the race feel significant, and I decided while studying that I would one day run it!”
But what started as an individual dream gradually became a shared goal. Together, Devin and Shimone committed to the training, embraced the sacrifices and supported each other through the demands that come with preparing for Comrades.
The couple entered Comrades 2020, excited to take the big step together. Well, we all know what happened in 2020, but the couple didn’t allow the pandemic to impact their dream. Instead, they used the time to continue building their running foundation, tackling the Cape Town Marathon and Two Oceans Ultra while preparing for the day they would finally stand on the Comrades start line.
Teamwork
Every Comrades runner experiences difficult moments, but having someone who understands what you’re going through can make all the difference. Throughout their training and on race day itself, they leaned on each other for encouragement and motivation.
And when race day finally arrived, they were rewarded with an unforgettable experience. “We found the Down Run surprisingly comfortable and thoroughly enjoyed every kilometre.” The crowds, the atmosphere and the support from spectators created memories they will cherish forever. Seeing family and friends cheering them on along the route made it even more special.
Shimone recalls one stand-out moment near the end of the race. “With only three kilometres to go and feeling totally exhausted, I remember telling Devin, ‘We’re not walking – we’re running and pushing all the way to the finish.’ ” Together they dug deep, encouraged each other through those final kilometres and crossed the finish line having achieved their dream!
Looking towards this year’s run, one of the biggest challenges for Shimone will be controlling her pace early in the race. “I’m naturally strong on hills, but that’s where Devin plays an important role, helping to keep me in check so we can conserve energy for the later stages of the race. We both feel mentally prepared and understand the importance of patience and strategy on the Up Run.”
“As we’re from KZN, being able to say we’ve completed Comrades and earned Back-to-Back medals would be an incredibly proud and emotional achievement,” says Shimone.
Her advice to novices is simple: trust your training and pace yourself. You’ve done the hard work. You’ve sacrificed so much to prepare for this race. Believe in yourself and make it count on race day.
One step at a time: Neo Ntsobe (46)
For many runners, the Comrades marathon is a distant dream. For Neo, it became a reality through a simple philosophy: one small step at a time.
Neo’s running journey began at Big Bay Parkrun. “I used to run with my sons, but I struggled to breathe and couldn’t make it beyond 3km. They would disappear into the distance while I battled to keep up,” he laughs.
Fast forward just a few years, and Neo has completed his first marathon, first Two Oceans Ultra, and first Comrades marathon. His inspiration to tackle the Ultimate Human Race stems from childhood memories of waking up before sunrise to watch the race with his grandfather, a devoted fan of legendary Comrades runner Samuel Tshabalala.
“Comrades has always held a special place in my heart,” says Neo. “My grandfather’s passion for the race was contagious. That’s where the dream began.”
Last year’s Down Run delivered everything Neo expected – and more.
“Standing on the start line of my first Comrades was one of the most emotional moments of my life. There was excitement, gratitude, anticipation and fear, all rolled into one.”
While the first half of the race felt manageable, the second half taught me what Comrades is really about. “It exposed my weaknesses, tested my decision-making and forced me to dig deeper than I ever had before. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding.”
One moment stands out. “Around the 67km mark, I suddenly started to cry. Nothing was wrong. I wasn’t injured or upset. The emotions simply took over.”
It was then that Neo discovered what so many Comrades runners speak about: the race becomes far more than a physical challenge. It becomes a journey of self-discovery.
Now preparing for his second consecutive Comrades, Neo has approached the Up Run with greater intention. Strength training, hill work and recovery have all been key in his preparation.
“I’ve learned that improvement doesn’t only happen during training sessions – it also happens when you recover properly.”
For Neo, earning a second Comrades medal would represent far more than another finish. “I started running because I wanted a healthier lifestyle. What I found beside fitness was a great running community in West Coast AC, as well as a better version of myself.”
His advice to this year’s first-time runners: “Trust the process. Run your own race. Respect the distance, your training and your plan. Most importantly, enjoy the journey. Crossing the finish line is special, but the real victory lies in the months of preparation, sacrifice and growth that got you there.”
Run for the love of it: Riana Noort (61)
Riana’s unconventional approach is refreshing: she simply runs for fun, honouring a lifelong love of running. She first discovered her love for running at school, but life happened as career and family commitments took priority. Like many parents, her own goals were put on hold while she focused on supporting her children.
But once the children were grown and flown, she found her way back to the activities she loved most: running and cycling. And with that, she set herself a challenge – to complete a Comrades marathon before turning 60.
And she did.
“I decided I wanted to do a Comrades by the time I turned 60,” she said. “I really enjoyed it – well, not the whole 90 kilometres – but I was, and still am, grateful to be able to do it.”
Unlike many runners who immerse themselves in training plans, pace charts and race strategies, her approach is straightforward.
“I don’t get involved in training or mental discussions,” she says.
Instead, she focuses on listening to her own body and trusting the process that has worked for her. “I’m closer to 100 than the day I was born, so I don’t have to chase times anymore.”
Her preparation has been built on consistency. Four days of running and three days of cycling each week have formed the foundation of her training. “I didn’t have a coach. I didn’t do a long run every week. I just trained consistently.”
As she prepares for what will likely be her final Comrades, the significance of achieving Back-to-Back medals is balanced by an even greater priority.
“Whether I achieve back-to-back or not, this will be my last Comrades. I’d love to spend more time with my family, especially my grandchildren.”
Her advice to novices: “Just enjoy the day and the moment.” I did my first Comrades when I was almost 61. What worked for me may not work for everyone, but consistency worked for me. Hopefully it works again this year.”
Having already experienced the highs and lows of race day, these athletes know what awaits them on the road between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. They understand the physical and mental demands required to reach the finish line once again. And as these stories illustrate, completing Comrades is a life-changing undertaking. Months and months of sacrifice – and sometimes setbacks – all lead to that single moment when thousands gather with one shared goal: to conquer the world’s greatest ultramarathon.
And through these stories we are reminded that dreams can be pursued at any age, that plans don’t have to be perfect to achieve success, and that all goals start with taking the first small step and having the courage to take the next and the next…
To all our Westies heading to KZN this weekend, we wish you strong legs, calm minds and an unforgettable day on the road. Your club is behind you all the way, though the majority will be supporting from the couch, with a cold something in hand! Go get your medals!