Death of second Comrades athlete confirmed
The death of a second Comrades Marathon runner has sent
shock waves across the province.
KZN Sport MEC Amanda Bani-Mapena says they're devastated by the news.
The Comrades Marathon Association says it will continue to offer support to the families of Phakamile Ntshiza and Mzameleni Mthembu.
The CMA's race doctor says the runners got into distress at two different points along the 89-kilometre route.
More than 14 000 participants descended on Pietermaritzburg for the down run to Durban on Sunday.
News broke of Ntshiza's passing on Monday night.
The Adventist Athletics Club member from Gauteng is said to have collapsed near Drummond and died later in hospital.
Mthembu collapsed near Pinetown and died hours later.
Meanwhile, the department's Nathi Oliphant says two runners are in critical condition in hospital.
"Just when we are celebrating the return of the magnificent race tragedy also hit. While we understand the health and physical risks associated with a race of this magnitude, we never anticipate that we would lose lives.
"Our heartfelt condolences go to family, friends and clubs. They died doing what they loved most, which was running."
