Faith, fitness and funding a dream: meet 3 Comrades runners

For University of Pretoria (UP) Master’s student Qiniso Sithole, Sunday’s Comrades Marathon is about more than conquering the 85,77km race distance between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

The final year Master’s of science in agriculture pllant pathology student almost didn’t manage to register for the 2026 academic year because of the fees that had piled up during his studies since he arrived at UP in 2024.

“My mother has never had a stable job and my family was not able to assist because they don’t work at jobs that pay well enough to assist with my fees.

“When the year began, I was in deep distress because of historical debt.”

He said he owed R53,000 before receiving assistance from the department of research and innovation at the university.

“The university came through for me when they helped out with paying half my debt. In that way I was able to register,” he said. “It brought so much peace and positivity in me.”

He will line up for the world’s oldest and largest ultra marathon as one of nine fundraising champions for UP’s Degrees Delivered campaign, an initiative aimed at helping graduates clear historical student debt and access their degree certificates.

“Having been on this journey, I want to help other people facing similar challenges,” Sithole said.

His message to people facing financial difficulties comes from lived experience. “Hold on to your reasons why you are doing what you are doing. Pray about the challenges. Sometimes, when in doubt, prayer is the only thing that gets you through.”

Growing up, Sithole was a short-distance runner and often dreamed of one day taking part in the Comrades Marathon. At university, he was introduced to cross-country and longer road races.

To think I’m lining up this coming Sunday is such a dream come true moment. It’s a testament to resilience, courage and determination

—  Qiniso Sithole

Encouragement from those around him eventually convinced him to enter. “To think I’m lining up this coming Sunday is such a dream come true moment. It’s a testament to resilience, courage and determination.”

He has experienced moments of doubt during training.

“Some runs felt heavy and difficult, a tired body and sometimes thoughts about injuries,” he said. “Training meant early mornings, afternoon sessions and often running alone.”

His weekly routine includes time trials with Tuks Athletics (country club at the university), long runs, grass sessions and social runs, though most of his preparation was done solo.

After completing his Master’s degree, Sithole hopes to work in the industry, though he has not ruled out pursuing a PhD and becoming a lecturer.

Health spokesperson has come a long way

While Sithole is running to prove adversity can be overcome, recently appointed Gauteng health department spokesperson Steve Mabona will be chasing a different kind of victory. Mabona’s fitness journey began after a health scare in 2009.

He shared with TimesLIVE that he weighed 142kg and had a heart attack scare when the doctors told him his body mass index was not appropriate for his height. He said it was scary to hear his heart was surrounded by fat.

“It was an eye-opener and God gave me a second chance because the doctor was surprised I survived. I had to also stop alcohol consumption, which I think was getting out of hand. I went straight to the gym.”

Mabona said he consumed alcohol six days a week, including beer, wine and gin. “It was excessive. I had to stop. Thank God I didn’t have family back then. I was single and I didn’t have to worry about a loved one.”

He began his weight loss journey in 2009. He was able to reduce his weight to 83kg within six months.

Today he has maintained a healthy weight and his diet has fewer carbohydrates, less dairy and reduced alcohol consumption.

“Changing my lifestyle definitely changed my life. It was hard but I had to adapt. You become healthier, which makes things better in how you lead your life,” he said.

Mabona’s Comrades journey began when a friend, Mike Matlala, recruited him to Zwakala Athletic Club in 2011 and encouraged him to tackle the race the nextg year.

He later participated in many popular races. However, In June 2025 he picked up weight and was 98kg. This pushed him to participate in marathons that allowed him to shed weight.

Between 2012 and 2026, he has finished events from short races to half-marathons and ultras. He’s completed well-known events including Loskop, Om die Dam and the Two Oceans marathon.

After failing to finish last year’s Comrades, he believes this year’s preparation has put him in a stronger position.

Balancing training with a demanding job requires discipline. My work is hectic with a lot of pressure. You need discipline, commitment and dedication to do this

—  Steve Mabona

He is focusing on strength and cross-training, including cycling. He trains four days a week, rests on Fridays, and does long runs on Saturdays, covering more than 50km weekly.

“Balancing training with a demanding job requires discipline. My work is hectic with a lot of pressure. You need discipline, commitment and dedication to do this,” said Mabona.

“You must run in your training, whether it is short, long, speed or intervals,” he said. “I’m currently at 83kg and I am convinced I will finish better.”

He’s finding motivation from his professional life, saying: “As a health department spokesperson, I must be healthy to promote it.”

He advised South Africans who are going through a weight loss journey to take their health seriously. “We need to be healthy. Let us do something — walk, run, anything active — and watch what we consume.”

Test of faith and endurance for mom of three

For Belinda Mhlongo, who is deputy head in the office of the Speaker at eThekwini municipality and a woman’s leader at her church, the marathon is as much a test of faith as it is of endurance.

The mother of three from Umlazi recalled the moment during last year’s race when she thought her dream was over.

At around the 70km mark, running with her friend and training partner Silo Mhlongo, every part of their bodies hurt and the official 12-hour cut-off bus was closing in behind them. “I asked Silo to go and leave me. I was finished physically and mentally.” But they both pushed through to complete the race.

Mhlongo is eager to participate in her second Comrades.

She is inspired by the adrenaline she felt, and “the sense of accomplishment I experienced at the finish line”.

“I’m still amazed at the power of the mind over body.”

Mhlongo said this year’s preparation has been different because she knows what to expect.

“This year is an ‘up run’, which requires extra strength training and very strong muscles such as gluts, hamstrings and calves,” she said. “Training has been more structured, with greater attention to nutrition, recovery and supplements such as magnesium and electrolytes.”

Her church recently held a special event for Comrades runners, with friends and congregants sending messages of encouragement and scripture.

“The support is so humbling. I know as we run on Sunday, they’ll be carrying us through prayer.

“When crossing the finish line, I know exactly who I will be thinking of. My late husband, who was my first cheerleader. I know he would have really been proud of my achievement,” she said. “My husband suffered from severe back pain so when I ran he would cycle.”

No-one ever wakes up and they’re already a marathoner. Everyone starts somewhere

—  Belinda Mhlongo

Mhlongo’s husband died in 2021 from Covid-19 complications. “It was a hard pill to swallow but you learn to live with the pain and soldier on,” she said.

She shared that the loss of losing a loved one instantly makes you lose your identity.

“It’s crazy how things change. You go from being a wife and mother to being a widow and both a mother and a father. The people you associated yourself with when you were a wife change. You go back to finding your single friends to belong,” said Mhlongo.

She said running has transformed her life in a positive way.

“It has made me more resilient, stronger, given me purpose, taught me to appreciate the gift of life and brought back my self-confidence.

“No-one ever wakes up and they’re already a marathoner. Everyone starts somewhere.”

TimesLIVE