Comrades Marathon comes to an end
Close to 22,000 runners started the race in the hope of reaching Durban by the cut-off 12 hours.
CAPE TOWN - The final cut-off gun was fired signalling the end of the 2016 Comrades Marathon.
Close to 22,000 runners started the race at 5:30 this morning in Pietermaritzburg, in the hope of reaching Durban by the cut-off 12 hours later.
#Comrades2016 The final gun has been fired, signalling the end of this year's race. pic.twitter.com/LU9UbLUdHN
— EWN Sport (@EWNsport) May 29, 2016
There were dramatic scenes as the final cut-off gun was fired at 5:30pm, as many runners failed to complete the race.
This is what the @ComradesRace is all about... #Comrades pic.twitter.com/THY3Oeixrc
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) May 29, 2016
As an MC counted down the remaining seconds of the race over the loudspeaker, some runners really gave it their all.
A few made it with literally seconds to spare, while others were left devastated as they arrived at the finish line only a few seconds too late and missed out on a medal.
Organisers and most runners say they're can't wait for next year's race which will be the 92nd edition.
Congratulations to our own David Gatebe who broke the Comrades record! 05:18:12 #Comrades2016 ✊🏾 winner pic.twitter.com/OV9ysLCvbZ
— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) May 29, 2016
South African runner David Gatebe made history today when he beat all the other runners coming in at a record-breaking time of 5 hours 18 minutes and 19 seconds.
Also South African, Chane Bosman won the women's side in 6 hours and 25 minutes, 55 seconds.
Meanwhile, people were cheering on the runners from their couches at home and from the sidelines:
CONGRATS to all the athletes that participated in the #Comrades2016! It truly is the "Ultimate Human Race". 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ssq5IKa8Kv
— Leandri J van Vuuren (@Lean3JvV) May 29, 2016
And...it's the final cut-off 😪 #Comrades2016 pic.twitter.com/3i4pMv3VD7
— Comrades Marathon (@ComradesRace) May 29, 2016
The spirit of @ComradesRace 😊 #Comrades2016 #ComradesMarathon #runnersworld pic.twitter.com/RbYly0WX6A
— Runner's World SA (@runnersworldza) May 29, 2016
Untold stories #ComradesMarathon pic.twitter.com/9CSCo68Yw7
— TshepoTsala (@TshepoTsala) May 29, 2016
Only the brave conquer the Comrades. Well done to all the winners. #Comrades2016
— Brand South Africa (@Brand_SA) May 29, 2016