"My goal was to run under 6 hours" - Tshuma makes Comrades history after travel scare threatened to cancel her race

Just days before the Comrades Marathon, Nobuhle Tshuma found herself stuck in a Kenyan airport, facing uncertainty as authorities barred her from departing the country amid allegations by doping officials that she needed testing. After months of preparation in the country famous for its long-distance runners, Tshuma risked missing the race on Sunday, 14 June. Thankfully, she was cleared and allowed to compete in her second Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, after arriving in South Africa on Friday 12 June less than 48 hours before the start gun would be fired.

"It was kind crazy," she tells #TheTopRunner. "One moment, I was happy that I'm chasing my dream of training with athletes who are passionate about running and ready to compete in the Comrades Marathon, but the next thing I saw my Comrades dream slipping away from me. There was so much going through my mind. I thought of all the months of sacrifice going down to the drain. I nearly thought I won't be able to race.” 

Tshuma celebrates an historic Up Run upon entering the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse. Photo Credit: 32Gi.

“But my ancestors and God came together and heard my cries that I must be on the start line. Then everything got sorted and I was able to travel to South Africa to realise my Comrades dream," explains Tshuma, who runs in the colours of the Entsika Athletics Club.

Tshuma's hunger and determination were palpable on the day of the competition. The 33-year-old produced an outstanding 5:53:36 performance, finishing second to Gerda Steyn, who secured her fifth Comrades time in a record 5:44:53. While Steyn was breaking yet more records, Tshuma also achieved a notable milestone. She became only the second woman in the history of the 100-year-old race to complete the Up Run in under six hours. Additionally, she was the first black woman athlete to finish as the runner-up.

Tshuma running shoulder to shoulder with 5-time Comrades Marathon champion Gerda Steyn. Photo Credit: Tumelo Mabua.

"The way I prepared the race, my goal was to run under six hours. I knew it was possible with the way the training had gone. I don't know how to calculate the splits of Comrades so I focused on my pace," explains Tshuma who earned her first Comrades gold medal with 6:12:18 performance in 2024 when she finished in fifth position. 

"I didn't check my watch that much throughout the race. Then when I got to the 84km point, I had a look at my watch and I realised that I still have all the time to finish under six hours. My focus now was to run an even better time. So to be able to be the second person to run under 6 hours is something amazing. I hope this will motivate other runners to see that it’s possible. The more athletes believe in themselves, the more competition we will have.”

Tshuma on the podium as the first black female to finish as runner-up on a Comrades Marathon Up run. Photo Credit: Givemore Mudziganyama.

Having spent more than half of the 85,777km race running shoulder to shoulder to Steyn, Tshuma made her intentions of success clear right from the outset. She says her result ultimately hinged on the adoption of an aggressive race strategy which was based on taking the lead early on.

"I even told the guys from my club in the morning that I want to run upfront. The first 60km was crucial for me, then afterwards I will see what happens in the race. I did exactly that. I also knew that going out early will be good since the race would be fast from the start. We never communicated much with Steyn when we were running. The only thing she kept on reminding me about is that I must take my nutrition (32Gi) whenever we are approaching the water stations. Besides that we didn’t talk so much."

Tshuma poses with her Cell C prize money cheques next to Durban Mayor Cllr Cyril Xaba at the Comrades Champions Prize Giving Breakfast on Monday 15 June. Photo Credit: CMA Media.

Following her impressive performance, Tshuma, who is married to 2023 Totalsports Two Oceans champion Givemore Mudzinyama and coached by Hendrick Ramaala, will receive a substantial financial reward. She walks away with R464 000 for finishing as runner-up and an additional R55 000 for the Cell C Hotspot which is a prize earned by the first athlete to reach the halfway point and then finish the race. And with further club incentives available, which the mother of two says she intends to invest wisely for her family's future.

Tshuma's family and members of the Entsika Running Club welcomed her when she touched down at the OR Tambo International airport on Tuesday 16 June after her Comrades success. Photo Credit: Entsika Foundation.

"I was surprised when they called my name as the lady who crossed the halfway leading. I never imagined that. That means I will get more money for my effort. As you know, I have a family, I must spend it wisely in order for my children to have a great future," she concluded.