The families of Mzameleni Mthembu and Phakamile Ntshiza are still reeling in the shock of the passing of their loved ones after the gruelling 95th down run edition of the 2022 Comrades Marathon on Sunday, 28 August.
One of the first to convey their condolences was KwaZulu-Natal MEC for sport, arts and culture, Amanda Bani-Mapena who expressed great sadness at the tragic passing of the two athletes. Mthembu was a member of the Amanzimtoti Hollywoodbets Athletics Club and Ntshiza of the Adventist Athletics Club in Gauteng.
Bani-Mapena joined thousands of sports-loving South Africans in paying tribute to the pair and wishing strength to their family. “I have no words. Just as we are celebrating the return of this magnificent race, tragedy hit. While we all understand the health and physical risks associated with a race of such magnitude, we never anticipate that we would lose the lives of athletes. Our heartfelt condolences go to their families, friends, teammates and their clubs. They died doing what they loved most,” she said.
Bani-Mapena added that she was informed that there are two other runners who are in critical condition in hospital. “We are praying for their speedy recovery,” she said.
In a statement posted on social media, the Hollywoodbets Athletics Club said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Hollywoodbets Athletics Club athlete, Mzamo Mthembu. Mthembu suffered complications along the route and collapsed in Pinetown. He was taken to Westville Hospital where he sadly passed away. Condolences to the entire Mthembu family and friends. May his soul rest in peace.”
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) said it is saddened by the deaths of the two athletes. CMA race doctor, Jeremy Boulter said the runners got into distress at two different points along the route. “The first confirmed case of fatality was Ntshiza who was last clocked at 8.53am in Cato Ridge and the second was Mthembu who was last clocked in Winston Park at 11.41am. While details are still unknown, Ntshiza had reportedly passed away before he could be transported to hospital while running close to the halfway mark. Mthembu had suffered a heart attack while running along the Pinetown stretch of the Comrades route,” said Boulter.
Boulter added that 341 runners received medical treatment at the finish venue medical facility at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. “A total of 221 runners were attended to at the main Medical Facility while 120 runners received rubdowns, strapping, massages and mild treatment at the St. John’s Tent. There are 82 patients that were treated in hospital, 28 were referred from the medical facility while the rest were taken directly from the route. Another 19 patients were admitted to hospital and seven went into ICU,” said Boulter.
CMA chairperson, Mqondisi Ngcobo said: “At this difficult time, we share our sympathy and condolences with the family, friends and running mates of these two athletes. We will continue to have them in our thoughts and offer them our support as they deal with their loss. We would also like to thank the medical staff and volunteers who assisted in quickly providing whatever assistance they could to these athletes.”
