Mtolo & Bester reflect on the lives of Msuthu & du Plessis as Winn's Comrades Marathon legacy lives on

That the Comrades Marathon Association is in it's healthiest financial position (R40 million in reserves) in the post Covid era after having weathered the storm of budget deficits, two cancelled races and staff retrenchments that took place between 2020 and 2022 is due largely to the calming influence of former Comrades Chairperson Cheryl Winn. Winn was at the helm of the CMA in 2020 and guided the ship through treacherous waters that threatened to sink the world’s oldest and most loved ultra marathon. Her passing earlier this month after she suffered a fatal fall while pursuing her other passion of nature photography in the Drakensberg, has robbed South African road running of an experienced and tireless servant of the sport.

"Cheryl's passing is a great loss not only to the CMA, but to the whole athletics family," said CMA Chair Mqondisi Ngcobo of a woman who also played a leading role, alongside her late husband, Mick Winn, in the national federation, the South African Road Running Association (SARRA), which later became Athletics South Africa (ASA). 

Even after steeping down as Comrades chair in 2021, Winn continued to play an active role in the CMA. Here she is pictured with CMA employees and official Comrades charity community chest volunteers at the 2025 pre race expo. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"She dedicated her life from 1978 to the service of the sport of athletics, and the Comrades Marathon in particular. Cheryl’s legacy in this 104-year-old ultra marathon is unparalleled, and her passing is a devastating loss to the CMA family. She remains the Comrades Marathon's matriarch."

As the only Comrades chair to have also won the race - she did so in 1982 - Winn understood the importance of including the race’s former top runners in its leadership structures. After serving her four year term as chairperson between 2017 and 2021, Winn she chose to stand down but continued to play an active role in the organisation. She was part of the Finance, Marketing & Membership, and Heritage & Traditions Committees, as well as the CMA Elders Committee and is widely credited for being the calming force in the turmoil that preceded that 2024 election that saw former gold medalist Willie Mtolo elected to serve on the board.

By winning in 1992, Msuthu became only the second black winner of the race after Sam Tshabalala in 1989. Photo Credit: CMA Media.

While mourning her loss, Mtolo also reflected on that of 1992 Comrades Marathon winner and Green Number-holder Jetman Msuthu, who took his last breath on 15 September. The owner of 14 Comrades medals earned between 1988 and 2016, including three gold medals as well as 10 silvers and one bronze, Motto remembered Msuthu as a fierce competitor.

"I remember those days," he smiled wistfully. "He was a good man. We spent much time together and we often spoke on the phone. During those days there wasn’t any money in running. When I started running he was one of the people that welcomed me. I remember running the JSE 50km from Johannesburg to Pretoria. The late Thompson Magawana was in the race. He told me to watch Magawana and beat him on his behalf," he laughed.

Bester getting his hard earned gold medal in 1993. Photo Credit: Nick Bester.

Msuthu, Winn and Comrades gold medalist Rudi du Plessis who also passed away early October represent three significant losses to the Comrades Marathon family which all happened within weeks of each other. 1991 Comrades champion Nick Bester remembers both Msuthu and du Plessis fondly.

"For three Comrades Marathon gold medallists which include two winners to pas away in a three weeks is a great loss. Rudi passed away from a suspected heart attack. He trained with me at my house in Pretoria while he was searching for a gold medal. He always raced that tough 8 km in Nelspruit in February at 5 pm in sweltering heat and humidity and that year I ran 24:50 in 3 rd and Meck Mothuli won and Rudi beat me - he was second. He got Gold in 1993. Jetman was a friend and teammate as we represented South Africa together at the World 100km Championships in Belgium in 1993, where we won the gold medal in the team category. They will be missed."