Records and statistics of the Comrades Marathon

The Comrades Marathon's fastest recorded times are 5:13:58 for men (Tete Dijana, 2023 down run) and 5:44:54 for women (Gerda Steyn, 2023 down run). Steyn also holds the up-run record, becoming the first woman to break 6 hours with her 5:49:46 in 2024. The most gold medals earned in the women's race is 13 by Elena Nurgalieva, while Allan Robb leads the men's race with 12.

The race also highlights endurance over decades. Louis Massyn has completed 50 Comrades Marathons — the most in history. In 2023 Johannes Maros Mosehla became the oldest known finisher aged 81, a record he extended in 2024 and 2025.^[1] He beat the record held by Wally Hayward, who completed the race at age 80 in 1989, 58 years after his first win.

10 Fastest times (up & down runs)

10 Fastest Up Run Times – Men

Rank	Year	Athlete	Nation	Time	Position
1	2008	Leonid Shvetsov	Russia	5:24:39	1st
2	2024	Piet Wiersma	Netherlands	5:25:00	1st
3	2000	Vladimir Kotov	Belarus	5:25:33	1st
4	2024	Dan Moselakwe	South Africa	5:25:45	2nd
5	1998	Dmitri Grishin	Russia	5:26:25	1st
6	2000	Alexi Volgin	Russia	5:27:08	2nd
7	1988	Bruce Fordyce	South Africa	5:27:42	1st
8	2024	Degefa Yohannese Lafebo	Ethiopia	5:27:48	3rd
9	1996	Dmitri Grishin	Russia	5:29:33	1st
10	1983	Bruce Fordyce	South Africa	5:30:12	1st

10 Fastest Up Run Times – Women

Rank	Year	Athlete	Nation	Time	Position
1	2024	Gerda Steyn	South Africa	5:49:46	1st
2	2019	Gerda Steyn	South Africa	5:58:53	1st
3	2024	Alexandra Morozova	Russia	6:05:12	2nd
4	2024	Courtney Olsen	USA	6:08:09	3rd
5	2006	Elena Nurgalieva	Russia	6:09:24	1st
6	2004	Elena Nurgalieva	Russia	6:11:15	1st
7	2015	Caroline Wöstmann	South Africa	6:12:22	1st
8	2006	Marina Zhalybina	Russia	6:12:58	2nd
9	1996	Ann Trason	USA	6:13:23	1st
10	2004	Marina Zhalybina	Russia	6:14:13	2nd

10 Fastest Down Run Times – Men

Rank	Year	Athlete	Nation	Time	Position
1	2023	Tete Dijana	South Africa	5:13:58	1st
2	2023	Piet Wiersma	Netherlands	5:14:01	2nd
3	2023	Edward Mothibi	South Africa	5:17:34	3rd
4	2016	David Gatebe	South Africa	5:18:19	1st
5	2007	Leonid Shvetsov	Russia	5:20:41	1st
6	2009	Stephen Muzhingi	Zimbabwe	5:23:27	1st
7	2016	Ludwick Mamabolo	South Africa	5:24:05	2nd
8	1986	Bruce Fordyce	South Africa	5:24:07	1st
9	2025	Tete Dijana	South Africa	5:25:28	1st
10	2025	Pete Wiersma	Netherlands	5:25:33	2nd

10 Fastest Down Run Times – Women

Rank	Year	Athlete	Nation	Time	Position
1	2023	Gerda Steyn	South Africa	5:44:54	1st
2	2025	Gerda Steyn	South Africa	5:51:19	1st
3	1989	Frith van der Merwe	South Africa	5:54:43	1st
4	2025	Alexandra Morozova	Russia	5:55:56	2nd
5	2023	Adele Broodryk	South Africa	5:56:26	2nd
6	1997	Ann Trason	USA	5:58:25	1st
7	2005	Tatyana Zhirkova	Russia	5:58:51	1st
8	2023	Carla Molinaro	South Africa	6:00:23	3rd
9	1997	Maria Bak	Germany	6:00:28	2nd
10	2023	Dominika Stelmach	Poland	6:06:02	4th

Multiple winners

'+' denotes winner of both an up and a down run

Men's champion	Wins	Club	Women's champion	Wins	Club
Bruce Fordyce +	9	Wits AC, Rand AC	Elena Nurgalieva+	8
/ Arthur Newton +	5		Gerda Steyn +	4	Nedbank RC, Phantane AC, Hollywood Bets AC
Hardy Ballington +	5		Maureen Holland +	4
Wally Hayward +	5	Germiston Callies Harriers	Lettie van Zyl +	3	Germiston Callies Harriers
Jackie Mekler +	5	Germiston Callies Harriers	/ Helen Lucre +	3	Hillcrest Villagers AC
Alan Robb +	4	Germiston Callies Harriers	Frith van der Merwe +	3	Benoni Northerns AC
Dave Bagshaw +	3	Savages AC	Maria Bak +	3	Germany
Stephen Muzhingi +	3		Aleksandra Morozova	2
/ Vladimir Kotov	3		Isavel Roche-Kelly +	2	UCT AC
Bongmusa Mthembu +	3		Elizabeth Cavanagh	2	Estcourt AC
Tete Dijana	3	Nedbank RC	Olesya Nurgalieva	2
Johnny Coleman	2		Ann Trason +	2	USA
Bill Cochrane +	2		Lindsay Weight +	2	UCT AC
Gerald Walsh +	2	Durban AC
Trevor Allen +	2	Durban AC
Derek Preiss	2	Westville AC
Dmitri Grishin	2
Leonid Shvetsov +	2

Most gold medals

Gold medals were first awarded in 1931, and to the first 6 male finishers. In 1972, this was extended to the first 10 male finishers, as it is today. In 1983 a gold medal was awarded to the female winner for the first time. In 1988, this was extended to the first 3 female finishers, then to the first 5 female finishers from 1995, and from 1998 onward to the first 10 female finishers, on par with the male race.

The following runners won 7 or more gold medals, gold medal span in brackets, clubs noted for local runners, race winners in bold:

Runners with 7 or More Comrades Gold Medals – Men

Athlete	Nation	Club (if local)	Gold Medals	Medal Span
Alan Robb	South Africa	Germiston Callies Harriers	12	1974–1991
Bruce Fordyce	South Africa	Wits University / Rand AC	11	1979–1990
Bongmusa Mthembu	South Africa	MAXED Elite KZN / Nedbank RC / Arthur Ford AC	11	2009–2025[2]
Trevor Allen	South Africa	Durban AC	10	1950–1961
Jackie Mekler	South Africa	Germiston Callies Harriers	10	1952–1969[3]
Shaun Meiklejohn	South Africa	Carlton Harriers / Collegians Harriers / MAXED Elite KZN	10	1989–1999
Andrew Kelehe	South Africa	Rentmeester Fattis and Monis / Liberty Nike AC	10	1997–2006
Fusi Nhlapo	South Africa	Liberty Nike AC / MAXED Elite CGA	10	2000–2012
Hoseah Tjale	South Africa	–	9	1980–1990
Nick Bester	South Africa	–	9	1988–1997
Stephen Muzhingi	Zimbabwe	–	9	2007–2015
Allen Boyce	South Africa	–	8	1936–1956
Gordon Baker	South Africa	–	8	1967–1974
Hardy Ballington	South Africa	–	7	1932–1947[4]
Gerald Walsh	South Africa	–	7	1952–1960
Charl Mattheus	South Africa	–	7	1988–1998
Oleg Kharitonov	Russia	–	7	2002–2008
Vladimir Kotov	/ Belarus	–	7	2000–2008
Mncedisi Mkhize	South Africa	–	7	2006–2016
Claude Moshiywa	South Africa	–	7	2005–2016
Ludwick Mamabolo	South Africa	–	7	2010–2017
Gift Kelehe	South Africa	–	7	2011–2023

Runners with 7 or More Comrades Gold Medals – Women

Athlete	Nation	Club (if local)	Gold Medals	Medal Span
Elena Nurgalieva	Russia	–	13	2003–2015
Marina Zhalybina	Russia	–	12	1999–2013
Maria Bak	Germany	–	11	1995–2008
Farwa Mentoor	South Africa		10	2002–2011
Olesya Nurgalieva	Russia	–	10	2003–2015
Valentina Shatyayeva	Russia	–	9	1994–2002
Yolande Maclean	South Africa		9	2003–2022
Grace De Oliveira	South Africa		7	1999–2007
Alexandra Morozova	Russia		7	2017–2025[5]

Most top 10 finishes by women

The following women have finished in the top 10 of the women's race on 7 or more occasions in the race history. Given the top 10 women only received gold medals from 1998, the gold medals list doesn't fully reflect the history of the women's race as female contenders in the 1980s and early 90s were competing for fewer gold medals relative to the men.

Women with the Most Top 10 Finishes at the Comrades Marathon

Top 10 Finishes	Athlete	Nation	Club (if listed)	Years Active
13	Elena Nurgalieva	Russia	–	2003–2015
12	Marina Zhalybina	Russia	–	1999–2013
11	Maria Bak	Germany	–	1995–2008
10	Farwa Mentoor	South Africa	Harmony AC / Bonitas AC	2002–2011
10	Olesya Nurgalieva	Russia	–	2003–2015
9	Tilda Tearle	South Africa	Savages AC	1986–1995
9	Valentina Shatyayeva	Russia	–	1994–2002
9	Yolande Maclean	South Africa	MAXED Elite CGA	2003–2022
8	Priscilla Carlisle	South Africa	Rand AC	1981–1989
8	Ralie Smit	South Africa	Pretoria Marathon Club	1980–1989
8	Hazel Hairs	South Africa	Jeppe Quondam AC	1983–1990
7	Sanet Beukes	South Africa	Westville AC	1992–1998
7	Grace De Oliveira	South Africa	MAXED Elite KZN	1999–2007

International (non-African) gold medallists

As the race is the pinnacle of the South African distance running calendar, with local elite athletes targeting the event year-after-year, there are fewer international gold medalists. World class international athletes may target the Comrades from time to time but not on a consistent basis like South African athletes. Achieving even a single gold medal for an international athlete is a significant achievement overcoming local athletes in their premier event. The following non-African international runners have won 2 or more gold medals (winners in bold):

International (Non-African) Runners with 2+ Gold Medals – Men

Athlete	Nation	Gold Medals	Medal Span
Oleg Kharitonov	Russia	7	2002–2008
Vladimir Kotov*	Belarus	7	2000–2008
Alexi Volgin	Russia	6	1995–2001
Jaroslaw Janicki	Poland	5	1997–2008
Grigory Murzin	Russia	5	1999–2008
Leonid Schvetsov	Russia	5	2001–2012
Dmitri Grishin	Russia	4	1996–2001
Dave Levick	New Zealand	3	1971–1975
Jorge Aubeso	Spain	3	2002–2004
Jonas Buud	Sweden	3	2011–2014
Piet Wiersma	Netherlands	3	2023–2025
Mick Orton	United Kingdom	2	1972–1973
John McBrearty	New Zealand	2	1973–1975
Charly Doll	Germany	2	1993–1994
Peter Camenzind	Switzerland	2	1994–1997
Konstantin Santalov	Russia	2	1997–1999
Mikhail Kokorev	Russia	2	1996–2000
Anatoliy Korepanov	Russia	2	1999–2000
Don Wallace	Australia	2	2000–2002
Steve Way	/ England	2	2017–2018
Alex Milne	United Kingdom	2	2024–2025

• - Kotov subsequently naturalised as a South African citizen

International (Non-African) Runners with 2+ Gold Medals – Women

Athlete	Nation	Gold Medals	Medal Span
Elena Nurgalieva	Russia	13	2003–2015
Marina Zhalybina	Russia	12	1999–2013
Maria Bak	Germany	11	1995–2008
Olesya Nurgalieva	Russia	10	2003–2015
Valentina Shatyayeva	Russia	9	1994–2002
Alexandra Morozova	Russia	7	2017–2025
Tatiana Zhirkova	Russia	6	2003–2009
Marina Myshlyanova	Russia	6	2005–2010
Elvira Kolpakova	Russia	5	2000–2005
Dominika Stelmach	Poland	5	2019–2025
Valentina Liakhova	Russia	4	1994–1998
Ellie Greenwood	/ Canada	4	2011–2015
Caitriona Jennings	Ireland	4	2019–2025
Joasia Zakrzewski	/ Scotland	3	2012–2015
Devon Yanko	USA	3	2012–2018
Sarah Bard	USA	3	2016–2018
Ann Trason	USA	2	1996–1997
Birgit Lennartz	Germany	2	1999–2000
Maria Venancio	Brazil	2	1999–2001
Alena Vinitskaya	Russia	2	2003–2007
Kami Semick	USA	2	2010–2011
Lizzy Hawker	/ Switzerland	2	2010–2011
Natalia Volgina	Russia	2	2002–2012
Simona Staicu	Hungary	2	2003–2015
Camille Herron	USA	2	2017–2022
Courtney Olsen	USA	2	2024–2025

Most Wally Hayward medals

The following have won 3 or more Wally Hayward medals (for running sub-6 hours, but outside the top 10) since the medal was first awarded in 2007.

Athletes with 3 or More Wally Hayward Medals (since 2007)

Athlete	Nation	Wally Hayward Medals	Medal Span
Mike Fokoroni	Zimbabwe	5	2012–2023
Prodigal Khumalo	South Africa	4	2010–2023
Peter Muthubi	South Africa	3	2009–2016
Harmans Mokgadi	South Africa	3	2012–2016
Thabo Nkuna	South Africa	3	2014–2017
Charles Dibate Tjiane	South Africa	3	2012–2018
Teboho Sello	Lesotho	3	2012–2022
Renier Grobler	South Africa	3	2016–2024

Oldest finisher

• Marosi Johannes Mosehla – 2025, 83 years in a time of 11:47.27,^[6] 2024, 82 years in a time of 10:13.46^[7] and 2023, 81 years in 9:26:09.^[8][9]
• Wally Hayward – 1989, 80 years. In 1954, winning Comrades for the fifth time, Hayward also was the oldest runner on the day, at the age of 45.^[10]

Permanent green numbers

When a runner completes their 10th Comrades (or achieves either 5 gold medals or 3 wins) they attain their green number and keep their race number for life, the race number effectively being 'retired' only for use by that athlete. The first time a number is awarded it will be flanked by single laurels. After 20 years a double green number with double laurels is earned, followed by another laurel every next 10 years. A 3-time winner or 5 gold qualifier will not get a second green until they reach 20. The race number may subsequently only be inherited by family members.

The following are holders (either earned or inherited) of race numbers 1 to 10:

Top Comrades Marathon Multi-Medal Recipients

Rank	Name	Medals (Total)	Years Active	Breakdown
0((((1))))0	Clive Crawley	42	1957–2000	1 , 22 , 19
0(2)0	Wally Hayward	7 (5 wins)	1930–1989	4 , 1 , 2
0(2)0	Steven Bure	3	2015–2018	1 , 3 Bill Rowan
0(3)0	Allen Bodill	10	1947–1968	10
0(3)0	Myles Bodill	2	1989–1994	2
0((4))0	Nick Raubenheimer	22	1953–1975	6 , 13 , 3
0((4))0	Graham Raubenheimer	11	1980–1995	4 , 6
0((4))0	Blake Raubenheimer	10	2005–2017	9 , 1 Bill Rowan
0(((5)))0	Allan Ferguson	36	1948–1995	3 , 12 , 21
0(6)0	John Woods	11	1952–1979	1 , 8 , 2
0(7)0	Malcolm Hean	14	1962–1976	9 , 5
080	Unknown (various)	–	1922–1995	Medal number '8' was used by multiple runners, including 'Boyle' (1922) and 'Natasha Williams' (1995)
0(9)0	Jackie Mekler	12 (5 wins)	1952–1985	10 , 1 , 1
0(10)0	Fred Morrison	11	1938–1966	2 , 9

Most medals – Green number records

Male quintuple green numbers

Medal holder	Medals	0Number0	Medal years	Medal categories	Clubs
Louis Massyn	50	0(((((403)))))0	1973–2025	10 , 30 , 10 Vic Clapham	Goudveld Multisport, Outeniqua Harriers

Male quadruple green numbers

Medal holder	Medals	0Number0	Medal years	Medal categories	Clubs
Barry Holland	49	0((((916))))0	1973–2023	22 , 20 , 6 Bill Rowan, 1 Vic Clapham	Savages AC, Jeppe Quondam AC, Dolphin Coast Striders
Wietsche van der Westhuizen	46	0((((4192))))0	1978-2025[11]	6 , 25 , 8 Bill Rowan, 6 Vic Clapham	Asics Running Club, Bellville AC, Krugersdorp Road Runners, Macarthur Marathon Club
Dave Rogers	45[12]	0((((183))))0	1961–2013	3 , 26 , 13 , 3 Vic Clapham	Durban AC, Westville AC
Vic Boston	44	0((((3111))))0	1977–2022	17 , 14 , 11 Bill Rowan, 1 Vic Clapham, 1 u	Rocky Road Runners
Alan Robb	43	0((((1704))))0	1974–2022	12 , 16 , 6 , 9 Bill Rowan	Germiston Callies Harriers, Rocky Road Runners
Mike Cowling	43[13]	0((((7296))))0	1975-2023	14 , 16 , 12 Bill Rowan, 1 Vic Clapham	Hilton Harriers, Saints AC, Sparten AC, Collegians Harriers
Colin Goosen	43	0((((144))))0	1980–2025[14]	24 , 6 , 8 Bill Rowan, 3 Robert Mtshali, 1 Vic Clapham	Save Orion AC, Saints AC, Collegian Harriers, Rocky Road Runners, PE Amateur AC, Uni of Natal PMB
Clive Crawley	42[15]	0((((1))))0	1957–2000	1 , 22 , 19	Savages AC
Zwelitsha Gono	42[16]	0((((1180))))0	1973-2019	14 , 21 , 1 Bill Rowan, 6 Vic Clapham	South Coast Striders
Dave Lowe	42	0((((1702))))0	1974–2015	3 , 35 , 3 Bill Rowan, 1 Vic Clapham	Savages AC, Westville AC
David Williams	42[17]	0((((1550))))0	1973-2022	1 , 32 , 9 Vic Clapham	Savages AC
Tommy Neitski	41	0((((1689))))0	1977-2018	3 , 33 , 5 Vic Clapham	Sunshine AC
Riel Hugo	40	0((((1221))))0	1969–2008	21 , 14 , 2 Bill Rowan, 3 Vic Clapham	Durbanville AC, Whalers AC, Tygervallei Belville AC, Germiston Callies Harriers
Boysie van Staden	40	0((((2516))))0	1973–2017	6 , 7 , 11 , 7 Bill Rowan, 2 Vic Clapham	DHS Old Boys, Savages AC, Berea Rovers AC, Maxed Elite KZN, Durban AC, PDAC, YPAC
Shaun Wood	40	0((((4286))))0	1978–2017	14 , 29 , 1 Bill Rowan, 3 Vic Clapham	Westville AC, YPAC, Collegians Harriers
Johann van Eeden	40	0((((1691))))0	1974–2018	35 , 5 Vic Clapham	Akasia AC, Ndaba AC, Pretoria MC

No female runner has achieved a quadruple green number yet.

Female triple green numbers

Medal holder	Medals	0Number0	Medal years	Medal categories	Clubs
Kleintjie van Schalkwyk	36	0(((7919)))0	1983–2025[18]	7 Bill Rowan, 26 , 3 Vic Clapham	Secunda Marathon Klub, Mossel Bay Harriers, Hartenbos Drawwers
Patricia Fisher	34	0(((1011)))0	1987–2024	19 , 15 Vic Clapham	Stella AC
Kim Pain	32	0(((5938)))0	1988–2025[19]	20 , 7 Bill Rowan, 5 Vic Clapham	Jeppe Quondam AC
Toni Hesp	32	0(((5974)))0	1985–2025[20]	28 , 4 Vic Clapham	Jeppe AC, Rocky Road Runners
Pat Freeman	31	0(((6883)))0	1989–2022	24 , 7 Vic Clapham	Stella AC, Dolphin Coast Striders
Tilda Tearle	30	0(((5701)))0	1984–2017	3 , 7 , 1 Bill Rowan, 13 , 6 Vic Clapham	Savages AC

International triple/double green numbers

International Runners with 20 or More Comrades Medals

ID	Athlete	Nation	Medals	Years Active
0(((8612)))0	John Sneddon	Scotland	31	1993–2025
0((8272))0	Klaus Neumann	Germany	29	1993–2025
0((48663))0	Tiago Dionisio	Portugal	23	2001–2025
0((9436))0	Hideo Takano	Japan	22	1999–2025
0((48418))0	Nato Amaral	Brazil	20	2004-2025
0((378))0	Bruce Matthews	New Zealand	20	1967–2001

Most consecutive medals

Medal holder	Medals	Achieved in
Barry Holland	49	2023[21]
Louis Massyn	47	2019[22]
Wietsche van der Westhuizen	46	2025[23]
Vic Boston	44	2022[24]
Alan Robb	42	2015[25]
Dave Lowe	42	2015[26]
Tommy Neitski	41	2017[27]
Kenny Craig	40	1998[28]
Riel Hugo	40	2008[29]
Shaun Wood	40	2017[30]

See also

• List of winners of the Comrades Marathon
• History of the Comrades Marathon