Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

Ekurhuleni Mayor Duma Nkosi has been honoured by the South African Local Government Association's (Salga) KwaZulu-Natal region for completing his fifth successive Comrades Marathon.

Nkosi finished the down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in fine style.

Nkosi, 49, the first mayor to run the marathon, let alone cross the finishing line before cut-off, celebrated with his colleagues at a breakfast at the plush Hilton Hotel in Durban on Tuesday.

Nkosi, who turns 50 next week, said he was still fit to run another Comrades race. "I'll still run the marathon and I only hope that more councillors will join me," he said.

He also thanked his colleagues for their support through the race.

Nkosi's times in the races he has run are 2003: 11 hours 42 minutes; 2004: 11 hours, 27 minutes; 2005: 11 hours 20 minutes; 2006: 11 hours 43 minutes; and in 2007: 11 hours 58 minutes.

For his efforts, Nkosi was also awarded the Vic Claphan Medal, named after the founder of the race in 1921.

Salga chairman and Durban mayor Obed Mlaba said they were proud of Nkosi, who they said was a perfect example of endurance.