The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is proud of its staff, students and alumni who ran the Ultimate Human Race, the 2025 Comrades Marathon this past Sunday, 08 June 2025. A total of 25 DUT athletes were amongst the estimated 22 000 runners who ran the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon.
DUT staff and students led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa and the DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane braved the cold morning and were scattered on the five DUT stations situated along the route of the 89,9 km race, to cheer on and to provide support to the DUT athletes who were running. The five stations were at Umlaas Road near Camperdown, Ntshangwe (Inchanga), Hillcrest, Pinetown and Berea near the DUT gate 8.
The 25 DUT athletes consisted of two members of executive management, the Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr Siboniso Shabalala and the newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Professor Vusi Gumede. In addition to the two executives, there were 13 other staff members who were running namely, Mr Thabani Mhlongo, Mr Steven Mkhize, Mr Samuel Ntsanwisi, Mr Sandile Ngema, Ms Colleen Lotz, Mr Patrick Mhlongo, Mr Sibusiso Sotsaka, Mr Lindokuhle Manyoni, Mr Lungelo Zulu, Mr Wesley Ngcobo, Ms Lauren Snell-Hillermann, Mr Mthobisi Ntuli and Mr Nkeka Tseole. Three students, Ms Nqobile Mngadi, Mr Ngceba Kenisa and Ms Nonhlanhla Siyaya and seven alumni, Ms Yenzi Olifant, Mr Sibusiso Mdladla, Mr Xolani Mkhize, Mr Khayelihle Ngubane, Mr Katlego Molumsi, Mr Skhumbuzo Mthembu and Mr Bandile Ndaba.
Topping the list of the DUT male staff runners was Mr Steven Mkhize, Acting Director of Logistics, he crossed the finish line at seven hours, 15 minutes. He was followed by Mr Lindokuhle Manyoni from the Sports Administration unit with an impressive finish of seven hours, 23 minutes. The female staff runners were led by Dr Lauren Snell-Hillermann who finished her race at nine hours, 21 minutes and Ms Colleen Lotz was right behind her at nine hours, 28 minutes. A student, Ngceba Kenisa was applauded for his remarkable finish of seven hours, 55 minutes.
Sharing his excitement after the race, Mkhize who ran his sixth Comrades said his target was seven hours 15 minutes which was to better his record for last year of the uprun which was seven hours, 22 minutes.
“I was happy with shading off seven minutes from my last record. Everything went according to plan, but I must say I was very much challenged in the first half because I had to maintain discipline and reserve a lot of energy for the second half, which is always the tougher part of the Comrades. I think I was a bit slower in my approach, when I got to Drummond, I was already 10 minutes late. I had to dig deep to better my time. I looked at my projection, it was telling me I will finish at seven hours, 31 minutes. The biggest turn around point was the seconding from DUT Athletic Club from Ntshanga, Drummond and Hillcrest, it was a big boost. Sandy’s corner in Pinetown was the biggest highlight of my Comrades, I have never experienced what I went through on Sunday at Sandy’s corner. It was just unbelievable, and I think that was where I drew so much strength,” shared Mkhize.
His also extended his sincere appreciation to his partner, Nontsikelelo Mkhize who has always supported him and ensured to align his nutrition with his training. As well as his coach, Thuso Mosia for a doing a good job, saying he has seen improvement over the last three years they have worked together.
For Kenisa a DUT student, it was his first time participating in the Comrades Marathon, and it was a great learning experience. Kenisa, who is studying towards a Bachelor of Education, is proudly a long-distance runner, and a first time Comrades Marathon runner, finished the Comrades Marathon in seven hours and 55 minutes, which he says was a great achievement for him.
He went on to thank the DUT Sports Administration unit and the School of Education for their amazing support which had helped him to reach his goal.
“Running is my passion. When you run long distances, you feel both pain and joy. There are moments when your body wants to stop, but your mind keeps you going. It’s a powerful and emotional journey. Finishing a race like the Comrades is a proud moment for any runner,” he said jubilantly.
His advice to runners is: “Whatever you put your mind to, you can achieve. To students who also do sport, discipline, hard work, and consistency will take you far,” he said.
Fourth time Comrades Marathon runner, Dr Hillermann, shared that she was filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude as this year’s race which held a deeply personal significance for her.
“It had been six years since I last ran the Comrades, during which time I became a mother to two wonderful boys, my youngest is currently eight months old. Preparing for this race came with unique challenges, particularly balancing motherhood, work, and training. My husband and I each have designated “sports mornings”, as we take turns caring for our children, which limited the amount of time I could dedicate to training. As a result, I was genuinely concerned about achieving my goal of finishing under 10 hours so I feel overjoyed with my time. What kept me going, however, was the anticipation of meeting friends that I would meet friends who had committed to assisting with seconding at specific times. The prospect of meeting them within that time range gave me the focus and determination I needed to keep moving forward, even during the most difficult times,” she explained.
In terms of handling the race itself, she indicated that when she ran the Comrades marathon six years ago, it was in a time of eight hours 18 minutes.
“This year I finished the down run in nine hours 21 minutes. While my time was over an hour slower than my previous performance, I consider this year’s race an even greater personal victory. Beyond the numbers, the support from the crowds were exceptionally phenomenal, cheering on, offering encouragement, and creating an energy that truly kept one going. In particular, the support from the DUT community was exceptional. Running in my DUT kit and hearing people call out ‘Go DUT’ filled me with immense pride and motivation. Those cheers also played a big role in helping me stay focused and to keep moving forward. Overall, while my finishing time was slower, the experience was incredibly rewarding and deeply memorable,” she said jubilantly.
Sharing his congratulatory message, the DUT Registrar, Dr Maditsane Nkonoane who was at the Sandy’s corner in Pinetown said: “As supporters we were here to support our runners, the spirit was very high from about 05h30 in the morning at Sandy’s corner. We had more than we had bargained for. We are happy and proud of our runners and we wish them a restful period for them to recover and we are expecting them back to DUT. Thanks to all the supporters for the spirit throughout the day, it was a celebratory spirit as we celebrate our 21 years of age. This is my fourth time since 2022. I like the spirit and the vibe, it is not something I could watch on TV.”
Pictured: Ngceba Kenisa, Dr Lauren Snell-Hillermann and Mr Steven Mkhize.
Photographers: Khulasande Tshayile and S’bonelo Dlamini
Simangele Zuma/Waheeda Peters
