The Hollywoodbets Athletics Club has revealed that one of their competitors died after collapsing during the Comrades Marathon. He (Mthembu) had complications along the route and collapsed in Pinetown and was taken to Westville Hospital where he sadly passed away
“It is with a heavy heart (that we) announce the passing of Hollywoodbets Athletics Club athlete Mzamo Mthembu, from the Toti branch, who was doing the Comrades Marathon yesterday. He had complications along the route and collapsed in Pinetown and was taken to Westville Hospital where he sadly passed away,” the club said
The club sent its sympathies to the Hollywoodbets running fraternity as well as to Mthembu’s family and friends. On the running club’s social media accounts, condolences have been expressed.“Aw,aw, aw! What sad news. Condolences to family, friends and … runners. He is a warrior. May his soul rest in peace,” wrote Iris Ndlovu.
Mzamo Mthembu collapsed in Pinetown while running the 2022 Comrades Marathon. https://t.co/jypJ3PdgVG
— Kaya 959 #25OnTheAir (@KayaON959) August 29, 2022
“I am gutted. To my #TeamPurpleWhereStarsShine and the Mthembu family please accept my heartfelt condolences. May Mzamo’s dearly departed soul rest in eternal peace and rise in glory. You have run the race. To the Mthembu family, may Almighty’s presence surround you and wrap His comforting arms around you and grant you the strength to endure through this traumatic period,” said Lorraine Ogle.
“My brother, my friend, my schoolmate is no more … why Lord? Why him? Rest in peace BMW (Bongimusa Mzameleni Wiseman Mthembu)”, added Lindani Mabhodla.Nomusa Dube-Ncube, the provincial premier, has expressed her sorrow over the news. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones during the race yesterday. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” she said.
The Comrades Marathon, the nation’s most well-known road marathon, returned on Sunday, August 28, after a two-year absence due to Covid 19. There were approximately 16,000 entries for the event, including 1,500 from other nations, and even if some of those people won’t start (for a variety of reasons), there was a sizable amateur field.
The top competitors will compete for a sizable prize pool that includes R260 000 for the winners in the men’s and women’s divisions as well as R260 000 bonuses for course records. All finishers received a variety of medals based on their finish time and/or rank.
A total of 500 participants began the charity batch after contributing to one of the six official causes of the event, which were the Childhood Cancer Foundation, Community Chest, the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust, Hospice, Rise Against Hunger, and Wildtrust.
Comrade Marathon Athletes Hospitalised
“We also wish athletes who are in hospital a speedy recovery. We acknowledge that training had not been easy due to the Covid-19 restrictions and we congratulate all those who entered the race in spite of all the obstacles,” Dube-Ncube added.
Another runner is steadily improving in the hospital in the meantime. A runner on the M13 encountered major medical issues, according to Netcare 911, and the Netcare 7, a specialized helicopter ambulance, was sent in. A family member said that the runner is still in the hospital and will likely visit doctors today.
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