'She's an outstanding athlete' - Entsika celebrate Muruiki's historic Comrades achievement with R212 000 bonus cheque

After making history by becoming the first black women to finish on a Comrades Marathon podium since women have been awarded gold medals, Shelmith Muruiki is the toast of the ultra marathon town. The Entsika Athletic Club's top runner was celebrated by her club at their annual Entsika Foundation Empowerment and Excellence Fellowship which took place at the luxurious Mount Grace Hotel and Spa in Magaliesburg from 13 to 16 June.

In the presence of the Kenya's High Commissioner to South Africa Ms Jane Ndurumo who had been invited to preside over the occasion, Muruiki was presented with a handsome bonus cheque of R212 000, which is over and above the R315 000 in prize money that she earned for completing the gruelling 89.98km journey from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in 6:07:51. Entsika Foundation Chairman Zakhele Mkhize said the money is a token of appreciation to recognise the club's first ever top three finisher at The Ultimate Human Race. 

Entsika AC's Sandile Ngwenya, Kenyan High Commissioner to South Africa Ms Jane Ndurumo, Muruiki and Mkhize pose with her bonus cheque. Photo Credit: Entsika Foundation.

"As Entsika we are really so grateful and would like to give thanks to the Almighty," said Mkhize reflecting on Muruiki's historic first. "We managed to get one podium. We appreciate Shelmith's position three and for her to achieve that under the banner of Entsika makes us really grateful. She’s an outstanding athlete."

"I have done a fantastic job, especially because it was my first Comrades. I have never done anything over 70km or 60km even entraining. I'm also not used to running down hills, I prefer to climb. I am used to hard courses but this is the hardest of the, all. I'm happy I have done it. I give thanks to God because every competitor was looking forward to a successful race. So I would say it’s not me. It's God's grace," said Muruiki who will use part of her winnings to support orphans where she comes from in Kenya’s southern region.

Muruiki in action during her Comrades debut. Photo Credit: Thami KaQoma.

Having also won the Prince Mangosuthu 52km in April just three weeks after claiming third place at the Totalsports Two Oceans 56km, the Kenyan is the latest top runner to achieve success in Entsika colours while hailing rom other parts of the African continent. The Zimbabwean pair of 2023 Two Oceans Marathon champion Givemore Mudzinganyama and Nobuhle Tshuma have both taken gold medals at Comrades and Two Oceans, while Malawi's Mphatso Nadolo also claimed back to back gold medals (2024 & 2025) at The World’s Most Beautiful Ultra Marathon.

"One thing we have to appreciate is that we are Africans and most Africans are having the same challenges as us. So if our fellow Africans come and say they would like to join the club or need assistance to achieve their dreams then they are more than welcome," said Mkhize expelling the club's philosophy, as he hinted that more is still to come from Muruiki. "It’s only her first Comrades. We are still expecting her to fulfil her full potential and maybe even win."