CMA Race Doctor, Dr Jeremy Boulter, confirmed the passing of the two runners who got into distress at two different points along the route.

Boulter confirmed in a statement that Phakamile Ntshiza (Race No. 53126) and Mzameleni Mthembu (Race No. 56904) had passed away and conveyed his condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.

Ntshiza reportedly passed away before he could be transported to hospital while running close to the halfway mark.

Mthembu suffered a heart attack while running along the Pinetown stretch of the Comrades route.

He was taken to the Westville Hospital, where he later passed away.

CMA Chairperson, Mqondisi Ngcobo, said: "At this difficult time, we share our sympathy and condolences with the family, friends and running mates of these two athletes.

We will continue to have them in our thoughts and offer them our support as they deal with their loss."

Ngcobo also extended his thanks to the medical staff and volunteers who assisted in quickly providing whatever assistance they could to these athletes.

Jacaranda News reports another runner, who was admitted to hospital in a critical condition, has shown signs of improvement. 

"There was one runner who was in ICU. At the time of the report yesterday the athlete was breathing on his own and was taken off the ventilator," says the association's chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo. 

AlgoaFM