Thulani Shoba has every reason to celebrate after achieving a new personal best time of 7 hours and 55 minutes at the 2025 Comrades Marathon, held on Sunday, 8 June. Representing Hulamin Athletic Club, Shoba completed his fifth Comrades Marathon during this year’s down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Speaking the morning after the race, a visibly proud Shoba said he was pleased with both his performance and overall physical condition. “I’m feeling strong. Yes, there are muscle pains today, but that’s normal after Comrades,” he said, shortly after a recovery massage session.
Shoba entered this year’s ultramarathon intending to run under eight hours—a mark he had never broken before. His previous best was 8:16 in 2023. “I’m very happy. I achieved my goal, and I can now say that the silver medal is truly within reach,” he said.
Remarkably, Shoba’s training for the race was unconventional. With only about 700 to 750 kilometres of mileage under his belt and no training at all during April, he leaned heavily on strength training and cycling in preparation. “This year was about experimenting with strength and cross-training. I think it worked well—it’s something I’ll continue building on going forward,” he explained.
Unlike previous down runs where he often suffered cramps at around the 60km mark, Shoba reported no major issues this time, only experiencing cramping after the finish line. “I think the strength training and the supplements I took every 10km really helped suppress the cramps,” he said.
But beyond supplements and strategy, it was the human connections, particularly with his family, that carried Shoba across the toughest stretches of the gruelling 85.9km journey.
Support from the Hulamin Athletic Club and the wider community played a crucial role in his performance. “Our teammates were stationed at six different support zones along the route. It was amazing. Even the locals were cheering us on. It motivates you when you know your team and community are behind you.”
Yet one moment stood out more than any other. “As I got closer to Pinetown, I saw my younger brothers standing by the roadside, waving, shouting my name,” he recalled with a smile. “Seeing them there gave me such a boost—I suddenly felt more energetic and inspired to finish strong.”
For Shoba, that emotional uplift reminded him of why he runs. “When your family takes the time to show up—stand in the sun, cheer you on, hand you water or just be there—it gives your effort meaning,” he said. “They remind you that you’re not doing this alone.”
His brothers weren’t just spectators—they were a symbol of sacrifice, late-night conversations, and early morning wake-up calls. In the weeks leading up to the marathon, they helped with everything from meal prep to moral support, ensuring that Shoba had the best chance of succeeding.
As he sets his sights on Comrades 2026, which will be his sixth run, Shoba plans to refine rather than reinvent his training. “I think I’ve found the formula this year. Next time it’s all about starting preparations earlier and being more consistent.”
With his relentless drive for improvement and the unwavering support of his club and family, Thulani Shoba is proving himself to be a rising force in South Africa’s long-distance running scene. More than medals or personal bests, his story is a reminder of the power of encouragement—and how the love of a family can carry you all the way to the finish line.
