The 2022 Comrades Marathon is becoming deadlier by the day, and, on Monday, the race’s organisation confirmed the death of a second runner, Phakamile Ntshiza.
Phakamile Ntshiza dies: What’s the cause of death?
As reported by News24, Rowyn James, the director of the 2022 Comrades Marathon, revealed that Ntshiza, who represented the Pretoria-based Adventist Athletic Club in the 95th edition of the 90km down-run, died suddenly about halfway into the race.
“When our Netcare team had arrived at the scene, the athlete was declared dead,” James confirmed.
Details around the actual cause of Ntshiza’s death remain unconfirmed at this time. The tragic passing of the 47-year-old was also confirmed by his running club on Facebook.
“We feel touched and Saddened by this untimely demise. Our hearts are with the family and friends. We will work in concert and coordination with the regional structures in Gauteng whenever our services are required,” the Adventist Athletics Club National Executive Committee wrote in a statement.
Ntshiza is survived by his teenage daughter.
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2022 Comrades Marathon death toll could increase
Ntshiza is the second Comrades athlete to die after participating in the 90km run on its first return since 2019.
Mzamo Mthembu, who represented the Hollywoodbets Athletics Club in the race, died in a Westville hospital on Sunday, 28 August 2022, hours after he’d collapsed in Pinetown, Durban.
“Two deaths are two too many, and our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the runners who lost their lives,” James said.
According to the CMA, out of 16 000 runners who participated in the 2022 Comrades Marathon on Sunday, a total of 41 non-finishers have been hospitalised. Of those, two remain in critical condition, with one said to be in a serious fight for their life on a ventilator.
At time this article was published, the 2022 Comrades Marathon had claimed two lives.
