Irene Athletics Club

15/06/2026

👑 Gerda Steyn just rewrote the Comrades record book. Again.

The "Smiling Assassin" won her fifth Comrades Marathon on Sunday, and her fourth in a row.
She ran the 85.8km up run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in 5:44:53.

That time erased her own up run record from 2024 by nearly five minutes.

Steyn ran shoulder to shoulder with Nobukhosi Tshuma deep into the race. Then she went at the four-hour mark, and the gap only grew.

Tshuma held on for second in 5:53:36. Irvette van Zyl rounded out the podium in 6:02:30 on her first up run.
Only one woman has ever won Comrades more times than Steyn. That is eight-time champion Elena Nurgalieva.

The 36-year-old also walked away with a record payout north of R2.3 million.

She says she is nowhere near done.

15/06/2026

⚡ A self-coached data scientist just broke an 18-year-old Comrades record on his second attempt.

George Kusche won the 99th Comrades Marathon on Sunday in 5:16:06.

That smashed the up run record of 5:24:49 that Leonid Shvetsov set in 2008. By nearly eight minutes.
The 27-year-old from Pretoria sat patiently in the chasing pack for the first half of the 85.8km route from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

Then he hunted down a cramping Mbuti Mollo with 10km left and surged clear over Polly Shortts.
Here is the wild part. This was only his second Comrades. He finished 12th on debut last year while vomiting near halfway.

His stomach turned again on Sunday. He refused to let it cost him.

Defending champion Piet Wiersma took second in 5:19:45. Mollo hung on for third.
All five of the top men beat the old record.

Kusche pocketed more than R2 million.

15/06/2026

15/06/2026

More to follow

11/06/2026

The big day is here… and we couldn’t be prouder 💙

To every Irene Club athlete lining up for the ComradesMarathon, this is your moment. Months of early mornings, long runs, discipline, and sacrifice have brought you to the start line.

Remember:
💪 You are stronger than you think
🏃‍♂️ You are ready for this challenge
🤝 And you carry the spirit of the club with you every step of the way.

Run with heart. Run with pride. Run for each other.

We're behind you all the way, from the first stride to the final finish 💙

Go out there and make it count!

11/06/2026

This is where you'll find the club's stand (B45) at the finish. There'll be a white gazebo and the clubs teardrop banners.

11/06/2026

There will be two club gazebos at the second ComradesMarathon support station in Camperdown.

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

11/06/2026

Irene AC will have two support stations along the ComradesMarathon Route.

There will only be Irene teardrops at the first support station at Fields Hill. Stay on the right hand side of the road when turning up to Fields Hill to find the station.

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

09/06/2026

https://www.therunningweek.com/post/10-must-watch-movies-for-every-passionate-runner

Which one is your favourite?

Discover 10 must-watch running movies that showcase incredible athletic achievements, personal transformations, and inspiring stories!