50-year milestone for black and women Comrades

By Mervyn Naidoo | Published May 27, 2024

Robert Mtshali was the first black runner to complete the Comrades Marathon, a feat he achieved in 1935, but only recognised recently; Elizabeth “Betty” Cavanagh was an inspiration to many women runners after her efforts in the Comrades Marathon; Sam Tshabalala won the Comrades in 1989 and became the first black runner to do so; and Simon Mkhize has completed 20 Comrades Marathon runs.