5 UNBEATABLES MOMENTS FROM THE 2026 COMRADES MARATHON – BREAKING RECORDS AND SHATTERING LIMITS
THE 2026 COMRADES MARATHON – BREAKING RECORDS AND SHATTERING LIMITS
From Gerda Steyn’s historic record-shattering triumph to Gloria Ngcobo‘s heartwarming family victory, OMO celebrates the unbeatable spirit of the historic 50th Up Run.
Long after the finish line has been crossed and the crowds have gone home, the true legacy of the Comrades Marathon lives on in the human stories forged along the road. The historic 50th Up Run will be remembered for records and results, but its real heartbeat belonged to the ordinary people who dug deep and stayed unbeatable when the road demanded everything.
Through its #StayUnbeatable platform, OMO stood alongside dreamers, back-of-the-pack fighters and local communities who proved that resilience is something we build together.
1. Gerda Steyn Leads a Record-Breaking Field: Gerda Steyn claimed her fifth Comrades title in a blistering record-breaking 5:44:53, smashing her own Up Run record.
2. A Daughter Carries Her Father’s Dream: Away from the elite field, one of the weekend’s most emotional stories belonged to fitness creator Gloria Ngcobo and her father, Jabulani Gumede.
3. The Graduation to Green: The weekend also celebrated remarkable personal milestones, with 629 runners earning legendary Green Numbers after completing their 10th Comrades Marathon.
4. The Place Where Self-Doubt Lost: At the gruelling 70km mark near the Raptor Rescue turnoff, local families and supporters created an unforgettable atmosphere of encouragement.
5. Gold at the Expo: Bringing the Comrades Community Together: Before race day even began, OMO’s interactive stand at the Durban ICC received a prestigious Gold Award from the Comrades Marathon Association for outstanding exhibit excellence.
Ultimately, the historic 50th Up Run proved that the true spirit of Ska Fela Moya is found not in individual achievement, but in collective perseverance. By bridging record-breaking elite performances with deeply personal milestones, OMO’s presence along the route highlighted the power of community support. When South Africans show up for one another through the mess and the miles, the national spirit remains unbeatable.
About OMO
OMO is a global leader in fabric care, known for its Dirt Is Good; philosophy, which encourages people to embrace life’s challenges and grow through experience. Having stepped into the world of sport, OMO is committed to supporting athletes, inspiring resilience, and proving that no stain is too tough to tackle, while celebrating the courage and determination of South Africans in every walk of life.
About the Comrades Marathon
First run in 1921, the Comrades Marathon is the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon, run annually between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, alternating Up and Down directions. The 2026 race takes place on Sunday 14 June and will be the 99th edition of the race, as well as the 50th Up Run, starting in Durban and finishing in Pietermaritzburg. The 2026 race campaign is titled Ska Fela Moya, which is SeTswana for Don’t Give Up.
