Durban: Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, is set to attend the prize-giving ceremony of the Comrades Marathon this afternoon, where Gerda Steyn and George Kusche emerged victorious in the 2026 race. Steyn triumphed in the women's category, while Kusche secured the win in the men's marathon on Sunday.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Deputy Minister is attending the 99th edition of the marathon, famously known as the Ultimate Human Race, not only to participate in the prize-giving but also to support two runners representing the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. '[The Deputy Minister] is also forming part of the key dignitaries receiving the male and female winners from number 1 to 10,' the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture mentioned.
Ahead of this significant event, the government extended its encouragement and support to both local and international athletes participating in the historic marathon. 'To all the athletes, volunteers, organisers, medical teams, security personnel, and support crews working tirelessly behind the scenes: Ska Fela Moya - never give up,' stated the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).
In preparation for the marathon, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) announced that extensive safety and security measures have been established. 'Over 21,000 runners will participate in the 99th edition of the Ultimate Human Race. The route has been declared a no-fly zone, hotspot areas have been identified, and law enforcement, private security, and marshals will be deployed to ensure a safe and incident-free event,' it reported.