Kabelo Mabalane Celebrates Completing His 14th Comrades Marathon
Kabelo Mabalane Celebrates Completing His 14th Comrades Marathon. Kabelo Mabalane had his first Comrades Marathon back in 2006, where he finished as a Bronze medalist. He is still at it, this time even stronger. A year ago, after finishing his race, Kabelo urged fellow South Africans to take part in the race. He said that taking part in the Comrades Marathon can change one’s life.
This past Sunday, Kabelo joined the masses for the 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon. The race saw both men’s winner George Kusche and women’s winner Gerda Steyn each walk away with over R2-million in prize money and incentives. For many others, just completing the marathon is a big win. Kabelo is among those, as he completed his 14th marathon. The musician, author and media personality, is even preparing for his 15th Comrades Marathon next year.
“What a journey!
Every year I cross that Comrades finish line and think, “Surely that’s enough running for one lifetime…” 🤣
Yet somehow, the next year arrives and there I am again, pinning on another race number and convincing myself that running 90km+ is a perfectly reasonable hobby (I’m already in planning mode for 2027🤦🏿♂️)
Today, I look back and realise I’ve completed 14 Comrades Marathons. Fourteen! That’s thousands of kilometres, countless early mornings, aching legs, blisters with their own personalities, and more gels, energy drinks, and potatoes than I’d care to calculate.
But the real reward was never the medal.
It was and always will be the journey. The friendships forged on the road, the lessons learned when things got tough, the moments when giving up seemed easier, and the discovery that we’re capable of far more than we think.
Comrades has taught me that success isn’t about being the fastest. It’s about showing up, staying the course, and taking one more step when every part of you wants to stop.
To everyone who’s shared the road with me over the years—thank you. To those chasing their own goals—keep going. Progress isn’t measured in kilometres; it’s measured in perseverance.
And to my legs… thank you for your service. You didn’t always agree with my decisions, but you got me through 14 @comradesmarathon anyway. 😂
Here’s to every start line, every finish line, and every lesson in between. ❤️🏅,” Kabelo said.
