BoS | Six Times The Human Spirit Proved Unbeatable At The Comrades Marathon

The 2025 Comrades Marathon may be over, but the spirit it ignites endures — a powerful testament to the resilience of those who crossed the finish line against all odds. At the heart of this year’s race was OMO, celebrating everyday endurance, extraordinary grit, and the launch of a new era in human determination.

Didi Bopape

While there’s always a first-place winner, every runner who crosses the finish line at the world’s most iconic marathon knows the greatest competition lies within — a truth OMO honoured through every stride, reminding us all to stay unbeatable.

At the finish line, Olympic champion and OMO ambassador Caster Semenya welcomed the top 10 male and female runners, each receiving a single rose — a moment made even more special as fellow OMO Stay Unbeatable ambassador Gerda Steyn claimed her fourth Comrades Marathon title, joined in triumph by men’s winner Tete Dijana.

“Being here at Comrades reminded me that staying unbeatable isn’t about winning — it’s about not giving up,” said Semenya. “It’s about showing up, pushing through, and proving to yourself that you can.”

But the finish line didn’t just belong to the podium finishers. The day belonged to every runner who turned pain into progress, including six unforgettable stories of strength:

• Nate Ngcobo, from Durban, defied the odds after surviving a near-fatal car crash almost two decades ago. Told he’d never play contact sports again, he turned to running — and hasn’t looked back. This was his fourth Comrades, completed in just under eight hours. “There’s a moment, about three kilometres from the end, when you think you can’t go on. That’s when you dig deep — and find a part of yourself you didn’t know existed,” he said.
• Michaela “Chaeli” Mycroft, 30, made history in 2016 as one of the first wheelchair athletes to take part in the Comrades. Now chasing her green number for ten finishes, she trains with CrossFit and unshakable self-belief. “My mission is to prove that disability is not the barrier people think it is. We belong in this race too.” Michaela finished in 11:59:36 — just 24 seconds before the cutoff.
• Ntokozo Mkhize, a factory worker from Durban, runs in honour of his late father, who passed away on 11 June 2016 before he could fulfil his dream of running the race. Ntokozo completed his third Comrades this year — once again on 11 June — finishing in 08:45:32, fuelled by memory, meaning, and momentum.
• Monoshi Makgata, 62, was inspired by a 60-year-old runner back in 2008 and took up running at the age of 46. Now, 14 Comrades marathons later, he continues to redefine limits. “Running isn’t about the finish line. It’s about honouring your purpose, on your own time,” said Makgata, who crossed the finish line in 11:53:57.
• Didi Bopape once believed Comrades was for “other people.” She started running for her health, but soon uncovered something deeper: identity, resilience, and transformation. “Comrades taught me the art of showing up for yourself, even when the outcome is uncertain.” Didi finished her race in 10:04:11.
• Johannes Maros Mosehla, from Polokwane, earned the honour of being the oldest runner to complete the 2025 Comrades. At 83, he crossed the finish line in 11:47, proving that age is no match for the human spirit.

Nate Ngcobo

“OMO has always believed in the power of resilience — not just in sport, but in life,” said Elizabeth Mokwena, Unilever Homecare Marketing Lead for Southern Africa. “This race demands everything, but it gives back even more. South Africans are living proof that when we commit, push through, and believe in ourselves, we stay truly unbeatable.”

Known as The Ultimate Human Race, this year’s Comrades saw 18,194 finishers out of a record 20,972 starters, marking another chapter in a legacy of endurance. The 2025 edition also introduced a new street finish at People’s Park in Durban, setting the stage for the 100th Comrades Down Run in 2027.

OMO’s presence on race day brought both emotional impact and tangible support — from the OMO Unbeatable Arch at one of the course’s most challenging hills, to the Stay Unbeatable Recovery Booth at the finish line, where weary runners were met with encouragement, care, and community.