By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwean ultra-marathon runner Nobukhosi Tshuma continued her dream season after producing a sensational performance to finish second in the women’s race at the 2026 Comrades Marathon in South Africa on Sunday.
The 33-year-old stopped the clock in 5:53:36 to secure the silver medal behind South African superstar Gerda Steyn, who won the race in a new Up Run course record of 5:44:53.
South African Irvette Van Zyl took third place on her Up run debut in 6:02:30.
Finishing as runner-up, Tshuma earned her first-ever Comrades Marathon podium finish and was the only other woman in the field to break the six-hour barrier in this year’s edition of the 89km race from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
Sunday’s result was a significant improvement on her previous best performance at the world’s most famous ultra-marathon.
On her Comrades debut in 2024, Tshuma finished fifth in 6:12:00, becoming the first black woman since Farwa Mentoor in 2011 to finish inside the top five on the Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
Now, two years later, she has taken another giant leap forward by standing on the podium of the race regarded as the ultimate test of endurance running.
The silver medal continues a remarkable season for Tshuma, who also claimed a podium finish at the Two Oceans Marathon earlier this year, where she battled through adversity to secure third place and further establish herself among Africa’s leading ultra-distance runners.
What makes Tshuma’s achievement even more inspiring is the balancing act she performs away from the road. The Zimbabwean is a mother of three, works part-time as a hairdresser and is married to elite distance runner Givemore Mudzinganyama, who has been a key source of support throughout her running journey.
Based in Clayville, Tembisa, South Africa, Tshuma trains under renowned coach Hendrick Ramaala and has steadily established herself among the continent’s top ultra-distance athletes.
Her rise has been built on resilience and determination.
At the Two Oceans Marathon in April, Tshuma captured hearts when she showed incredible grit to secure a podium finish despite battling through pain during the closing stages of the race.
Zimbabwe also enjoyed another strong showing through Loveness Chidziva, who finished sixth in 6:09:38 to earn R76,000 in prize money.
With a Comrades Marathon silver medal now added to her growing list of achievements, Tshuma has once again demonstrated that hard work, sacrifice and perseverance can take Zimbabwean athletes to the highest level of international competition.