An array of runners and walkers paced their way to  the much-anticipated 2025 eThekwini Best of the Best Marathon. The Durban University of Technology( DUT) in partnership with Ama-Ravens Athletics Club hosted the marathon which took place at the Kings Park Athletics Stadium, on Sunday, 02 March 2025, from 05h00. Distances included a 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km and 5km races.

Dressed in colours of blue, pink, white, red, and yellow attire, formed the order of the early morning start where runners and walkers took their pace to start their respective races at the stipulated times. Despite the heavy downpour later in the day, this did not deter the eager athletes from making their mark in their respective races.

From DUT’s perspective, there were numerous DUT staff and students who had participated in the 21 kilometre race. The Director of Special Projects in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal at DUT, Dr Matheakuena Mohale, a two-times Comrades Marathon runner eagerly participated in the marathon, proving his running mettle, and which was a build-up run to the forthcoming Two Oceans Marathon.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at DUT, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, who took her pace in the five kilometre run,  thanked DUT for supporting such a massive event and for participating. “It is a great thing that DUT is the major sponsor of this massive event,” she said.

Making DUT proud was DUT Emergency Medical Care and Rescue (EMCR) students, Conny Kwaso, Kristen Martens and Othelia Kobedi.

All three participated in the 10 kilometre and five kilometre races respectively and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful experience.

For Conny Kwaso, the five kilometre race became an opportune chance for her to utilise her medical skills attained at DUT as a paramedic. An athlete had collapsed in front of her and without a doubt she stabilised the patient, sent the location of where the patient is to the ambulance and waited until the patient was in the safety of the ambulance before she embarked back into the race. “I believe DUT has equipped me with the skills to have been able to do my duty as a paramedic. Patients’ lives matter,” she explained.

Three times Comrades medallist and race organiser of the 2025 eThekwini Best of the Best Marathon, Ms Yenziwe Olifant, highlighted that the event was a huge success with participation of close to 5000 runners and walkers.

“All spirits were high and people reaching their goals, qualifying for the Two Oceans Marathon or Comrades Marathon and reaching the target times they were aiming for.  This would have not been possible without the support of our partner DUT which played a pivotal role in the smooth sailing of the event,” she said.

She also recognised the sponsors, uMngeni Uthukela Water and Ndabe Dignified Funerals who made the event what it was on Sunday, 2 March 2025.

“There are a few shortfalls which I believe the early  involvement of our partners and sponsors will reduce the chances of those happening. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2025 eThekwini Best of the Best Marathon, this event was for you and you made it happen, thank you,” she added.

Olifant also made mention of the Best of the Best Marathon committee who had extended their heartfelt condolences to the friends and family members of the four athletes from Johannesburg that tragically lost their lives on their journey back home on Sunday, 2 March 2025.

Pictured: Runners making their way at the 2025 eThekwini Best of the Best Marathon.

Vukani Langa/Waheeda Peters