The 99th edition of the Ultimate Human Race delivered unprecedented performances as George Kusche and Gerda Steyn rewrote the history books with record-shattering victories on the gruelling up-run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
Sunday, 14 June, will be remembered as the day two South African athletes transcended expectation and redefined what’s possible over 85.77 kilometres of unforgiving tarmac. George Kusche and Gerda Steyn didn’t just win the 2026 Comrades Marathon, they dismantled course records that had stood for years, serving notice that a new era of ultra-distance dominance has arrived.
Kusche’s masterclass destroys 18-year record
George Kusche crossed the finish line in Pietermaritzburg in a staggering 5:15:56, obliterating Leonid Shvetsov’s 2008 up-run record of 5:24:49 by nearly nine minutes. To put that margin into perspective, in ultra-distance terms, it’s an eternity.
But the record itself tells only half the story. Kusche’s victory was a tactical masterpiece, a self-coached performance that showcased maturity and discipline far beyond his 27 years.
Rather than gunning for glory from the start, the Nedbank Running Club athlete remained patient, allowing others to set the early pace whilst he conserved energy for the brutal climbs that define the up-run. Only in the final hour did Kusche make his move, surging to the front and unleashing a relentless tempo that no rival could match.
It was calculated. It was clinical. It was devastating.
The former sub-four-minute miler had finished 12th in his 2025 Comrades debut, but his recent transition from track to marathon running has been nothing short of sensational. Sunday’s performance confirmed what many suspected – Kusche possesses a rare blend of speed endurance and ultra-distance resilience.
Queen of the hills extends her reign
If Kusche’s performance was a revelation, Gerda Steyn’s was a confirmation of utter dominance. The 34-year-old claimed her fifth Comrades title with an up-run record of 5:44:53, bettering her own 2024 mark of 5:49:46 by nearly five minutes.
Steyn’s supremacy in women’s ultra-distance running is now beyond debate. She attacked the hills with the same relentless aggression that has become her trademark, grinding down rivals through sheer strength and unwavering determination.
Her winning margin told its own story. Nobukhosi Tshuma finished a distant second in 5:53:36, with Irvette van Zyl claiming third in 6:02:30. Both are exceptional athletes, but on Sunday they were running a different race to the woman in first.
For her record-breaking performance, Steyn collected R2.08 million, comprising R925,000 for victory, R605,000 for the course record, and R550,000 for breaking her own fastest average pace record. But the money, whilst substantial, pales against the legacy she’s building – five Comrades titles, multiple course records, and an aura of invincibility on South African roads.
A day for the ages
The 2026 Comrades Marathon delivered everything the Ultimate Human Race promises, suffering, drama, and performances that push the boundaries of human endurance. But more than that, it showcased two athletes operating at the absolute peak of their powers.
Kusche’s breakthrough confirms that South African ultra-distance running has another superstar in the making. His combination of track speed and tactical intelligence suggests he could dominate this race for years to come.
Steyn, meanwhile, continues to redefine excellence. Her fifth title places her amongst the all-time greats of Comrades history, and at 34, she shows no signs of slowing down.
The 99th edition will be remembered for records falling and champions rising. As the centenary race looms in 2027, Kusche and Steyn have set a benchmark that will take extraordinary performances to surpass.
The bar has been raised. The challenge has been laid down. The Ultimate Human Race just got even more ultimate.
