On Sunday, the 9 of June 2025, the 98 Comrades Marathon edition, an icon ultra run took place between the cities of           Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) launched this year's race with the theme 'More Than A Race – Isiko Mpilo'.
The Comrades Marathon occurs in alternating directions each year, and this was the 49 edition of the Down Run. The official distance of this year's race was 89.98km, and as the event builds up to its much anticipated 100 edition in 2027, the 2025 race attracted a record field for the Down Run of 22.667 qualifying entrants.
This year, two of our courageous Safety Ambassadors, Mr. Linda Simon Skosana, a Provincial Inspector under CRS and Mr. Mandla Mashinini, a Road Safety Officer, held the flag high by participating in the Comrades Marathon.
Mr. Skosana was available for an interview with the team and managed to respond to the following questions regarding the race:
1.    What inspired you to run the Comrades Marathon?
Answer: The inspiration emanated from friends who had done it and urged me to try it.
 2.    Was this your first time running it, or have you done it before?
Answer: I started in 2001 and had injuries that caused me not to finish the race for a couple of years, but all in all I have acquired 5 medals.
3.    How did you feel crossing the finish line?
Answer: It was a relief more than anything else really, I was cramping well before halfway and had to walk more than I was supposed to.
4.    What was the most challenging part of the race for you?
Answer: Keeping up to my targeted times due to the cramps.
5.    Did you have a specific goal or time you were aiming for?
Answer: Yes, I was aiming to finish in under 11 hours but that all fell through at around 30 kilometers into the race.
Training & Preparation
6.    How did you prepare for the race?
Answer: A couple of 3 to 4 hour runs over weekends, 1 to 2 hour runs during the week, hill repeats, strength workouts and couple of 50km long runs.
7.    What kept you motivated during the months of training?
 Answer: My family.
8.    What advice would you give to someone thinking about running Comrades for the first time?
Answer: Listen and learn from others who have experienced it more than anything else, train, train and keep training.
On the Day
9.    How was the atmosphere on race day?
Answer: Very pleasant.
10. Did you have any memorable moments along the route?
Answer: Yes, I did. My wife was waiting with some supplements for me at about 60 kilometers, it lifted me up a lot.
11. How did you keep yourself mentally strong during the tough stretches?
Answer: I thought to myself that I was not the only one suffering, so I just kept moving forward.
Reflection
12. What did you learn about yourself through this experience?
Answer: Learning to navigate through obstacles.
13. Will you be doing it again next year?
Answer: Most probably.
14. How has this marathon changed your outlook on endurance or life in general?
Answer: Pain and suffering are part of what we go through in life.