Stuart Mann

Group Publishing Director at Medical Construction & Design

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Articles

Scents & Sensibility: Man in a can ran Comrades wearing 13kg deodorant outfit

1 week ago | runningmann.co.za | Stuart Mann

Sometimes people make stupid bets when they’re drunk. Luc Quevauvilliers does not drink alcohol so he cannot fall back on that excuse. However, he still thought it would be a good idea to run Comrades dressed as a giant can of Shield deodorant. The suit weighed 13 kilograms. He only had one chance beforehand to do a short practice run. The second time he put the suit on was at the Comrades Expo. He hoped that Comrades race day would be third time lucky.
From Gunshot to Glory: Prince's Brave Comrades Journey

1 week ago | runningmann.co.za | Stuart Mann

On a Tuesday evening in Ivory Park, Tembisa just two weeks before Comrades, aspirant novice runner Prince Nemutamzhela was relaxing with his family at home. Comrades training is hard work and Prince had trained hard. It was now time to taper and get the body and mind ready for a first journey between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Prince was chatting to a friend while his wife Asnath was getting their two young children, a 12-year-old son and 4-year-old-daughter, ready for bed.
Not your average grandmom (the Malie van der Walt story)

3 weeks ago | runningmann.co.za | Stuart Mann

The history of the Comrades Marathon is full of unlikely legends. No one who knew Malie van der Walt growing up thought that she’d ever run Comrades one day, let alone be lining up for her 30th medal in 2025. As a youngster she showed no inclination for athletics of any kind and was not able to participate in sport at school as she suffered from rheumatic fever which affected her heart. A young Malie met and married Mike van der Walt.
The Stellar Stella Ladies (Gina Hinchliffe & Helen Mann)

3 weeks ago | runningmann.co.za | Stuart Mann

When it comes to the females with the most Comrades medals, there is one club that completely dominates with four names on the Top 10 list: Stella Athletics Club. What is even more incredible is that there are currently just nine women who’ve run 30 or more Comrades.
Comrades 2025: Startline Stats

3 weeks ago | runningmann.co.za | Stuart Mann

NOTE: I will be adding additional statistics to this article on a daily basis up to the Sunday 8 June. The average age of the class of 2025 is 44.5 – exactly the same as in 2024. Therefore, this is the joint oldest group of starters at any Comrades Marathon where age records exist. The average age of the Comrades runner has steadily increased since 1990 from 35 to over 44 post-Covid. This is going to be a problem for the future of the race if the trend continues. Two noticeable step changes happened.
True Comrades Heroes: Why Warren wears a blue tutu

3 weeks ago | runningmann.co.za | Stuart Mann

Warren Jordaan is a gregarious character on the Free State roads and easily noticeable with his distinctive dreadlocks and bright orange and green Kroonstad Running Club kit. I was recently in the ‘States’ to run the Lemo Mall Marathon and noticed that he was accessorising his regular running kit with a blue tutu and asked him “Why?”. It is a sad but inspirational story.
Paws for a Cause: Kevin Balfour's Camino Canine Caper

1 month ago | runningmann.co.za | Stuart Mann

One of the silver linings that has come with covering the various Two Oceans issues and dramas is getting to meet and chat with many fellow Blue Numbers. One of these was Kevin Balfour who completed his 13th Oceans voyage this year. After last year’s Two Oceans, Kevin and his partner popped over to Portugal to walk the Camino trail.
Chartering an Accountant: An Interview with Two Oceans Legend Lucille Damon

1 month ago | runningmann.co.za | Stuart Mann

Lucille Damon was the first woman to earn a triple Blue Number at the Two Oceans ultra marathon and she did so in style with 30 consecutive finishes from 1990 to 2019. Lucille thought she was done with the ultra after Covid but, after running the half marathon post-Covid in 2022, she realised that she preferred the longer Two Oceans route (which includes some actual views of the ocean) and has added another two voyages to her count.
TOM 2025 Reader Letters: Once Bitten, Twice Shy

1 month ago | runningmann.co.za | Stuart Mann

I remember my first Two Oceans back in 2002. It was special. It was fantastic. It was brilliantly organised. Sadly a first Two Oceans is no longer what is used to be. Here is Tsholo’s experience of his first Two Oceans. Good day Stuart,My name is Tsholo. I started running in 2014, and since then, I’ve completed Comrades five times and do about 3 – 4 Ultras per year.
TOM 2025 Reader Letters: The Kindness of Strangers

1 month ago | runningmann.co.za | Stuart Mann

We’ve heard a lot from the runners about the diabolical water situation in the Two Oceans ultra marathon but here’s a different perspective from one of the supporters on the day, Lungi Khambule. Good day,I was privileged to support runners at 26km and just before 47km during the Two Oceans Ultra — and what I witnessed left me deeply moved. At 26km, runners were asking for food, salt, and spray etc. All was relatively good. But at 47km, the sight was heartbreaking.