From Gerda Steyn’s historic record-shattering triumph to Gloria Ngcobo’s heartwarming family victory, OMO celebrates the unbeatable spirit of the historic 50th Up Run.

Long after the finish line has been crossed and the crowds have gone home, the true legacy of the Comrades Marathon lives on in the human stories forged along the road. The historic 50th Up Run will be remembered for records and results, but its real heartbeat belonged to the ordinary people who dug deep and stayed unbeatable when the road demanded everything.

Through its #StayUnbeatable platform, OMO stood alongside dreamers, back-of-the-pack fighters and local communities who proved that resilience is something we build together.

1. Gerda Steyn Leads a Record-Breaking Field

The race began with extraordinary performances at the front. Gerda Steyn claimed her fifth Comrades title in a blistering record-breaking 5:44:53, smashing her own Up Run record, while George Kusche secured a breakthrough men's victory in a record 5:15:56. Both champions demonstrated that greatness is built through consistency, sacrifice and an unbeatable mental strength.

2. A Daughter Carries Her Father's Dream

Away from the elite field, one of the weekend's most emotional stories belonged to fitness creator Gloria Ngcobo and her father, Jabulani Gumede. After years of putting his own dreams aside for his family, Jabulani finally pursued his lifelong ambition of completing Comrades, guided and supported by his daughter every step of the way.

"Watching my father cross that finish line was about so much more than running," said Ngcobo. "For years he carried our dreams. This weekend, we carried his."

3. The Graduation to Green

The weekend also celebrated remarkable personal milestones, with 629 runners earning legendary Green Numbers after completing their 10th Comrades Marathon. They joined nearly 2,000 permanent Green Number holders on the road, proving resilience is a lifelong commitment.

For Durban's Graham Wittstock, who first lined up in 1993, the achievement represented three decades of perseverance.

"Holding that Green Number feels like holding thirty years of memories, sacrifices and second chances."

4. The Place Where Self-Doubt Lost

At the gruelling 70km mark near the Raptor Rescue turnoff, local families and supporters created an unforgettable atmosphere of encouragement. Well known personalities, Rory Petzer, Grace Motswana and Gloria Ngcobo led songs, celebrated loved ones and lifted complete strangers through one of the race's toughest moments, while OMO's hydration station provided a vital boost when runners needed it most.

5. Gold at the Expo: Bringing the Comrades Community Together

Before race day even began, OMO's interactive stand at the Durban ICC received a prestigious Gold Award from the Comrades Marathon Association for outstanding exhibit excellence. More than a brand display, it became a welcoming gathering space where runners and families shared stories, eased pre-race nerves and strengthened their belief in themselves.

Comedian Rory Petzer and fitness coach Grace Motswana brought the ultimate energy to the route, proving that community support helps our runners stay unbeatable through the toughest miles

Fitness creator Gloria Ngcobo stands proudly alongside her father, Jabulani Gumede, celebrating a generational family dream fulfilled by keeping an unbeatable mindset alive.

"This weekend reminded us that the most powerful moments in South African sport are often the most human ones," said Elizabeth Mokwena, Executive Marketing Director for Home Care at Unilever South Africa. "We witnessed Gerda Steyn push the limits of possibility, 629 runners earn their permanent Green Numbers, and a daughter help her father fulfil a dream decades in the making. Those moments show that resilience lives in ordinary people who refuse to give up on the people and stay unbeatable no matter what."

Ultimately, the historic 50th Up Run proved that the true spirit of Ska Fela Moya is found not in individual achievement, but in collective perseverance. By bridging record-breaking elite performances with deeply personal milestones, OMO's presence along the route highlighted the power of community support. When South Africans show up for one another through the mess and the miles, the national spirit remains unbeatable.

OMO is a global leader in fabric care, known for its Dirt Is Good; philosophy, which encourages people to embrace life’s challenges and grow through experience. Having stepped into the world of sport, OMO is committed to supporting athletes, inspiring resilience, and proving that no stain is too tough to tackle, while celebrating the courage and determination of South Africans in every walk of life. 

First run in 1921, the Comrades Marathon is the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon, run annually between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, alternating Up and Down directions. The 2026 race takes place on Sunday 14 June and will be the 99th edition of the race, as well as the 50th Up Run, starting in Durban and finishing in Pietermaritzburg. The 2026 race campaign is titled Ska Fela Moya, which is SeTswana for Don’t Give Up.