Introduction
On June 8, 2025, the 98th Comrades Marathon, an iconic 89.9-kilometer ultramarathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, South Africa, drew over 22,000 runners from around the globe.
Among them was Moira Harding, a 54-year-old runner from Kommetjie, Cape Town, representing the Fish Hoek Athletics Club.
Completing her first Comrades Marathon in just under 11 hours, Harding crossed the finish line at 4:52 p.m., a remarkable feat for a novice ultramarathoner.
However, what should have been a moment of triumph turned into a harrowing ordeal when Harding vanished shortly after, sparking a citywide search that gripped South Africa and the international running community.
Found 15 hours later in a critical, hypothermic state near Durban’s Point Waterfront, Harding’s story of survival underscores the physical and emotional challenges of ultramarathons, the strength of community response, and the need for improved race safety protocols.
This article chronicles the journey of Comrades Marathon runner Moira Harding, examining the events surrounding her disappearance, the search efforts, her recovery, and the broader implications for marathon safety, optimized for global readers seeking insight into this dramatic episode.
The Comrades Marathon: A Test of Endurance
The Comrades Marathon, founded in 1921 to honor South African soldiers of World War I, is one of the world’s most grueling ultramarathons, covering approximately 90 kilometers with a challenging elevation profile.
The 2025 “down run” from Pietermaritzburg to Durban’s People’s Park, adjacent to Moses Mabhida Stadium, attracted elite athletes like Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn, alongside thousands of amateurs like Moira Harding.
Runners face a 12-hour cutoff, navigating physical exhaustion, dehydration, and mental fatigue, making completion a badge of honor.
For Harding, a member of the Fish Hoek Athletics Club, the race was a personal milestone, her first attempt at the storied event, run alongside her sister, Fiona Baldwin.
Harding, originally from Durban but residing in Cape Town’s Kommetjie, prepared rigorously for the marathon, training with her club and wearing an “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) bracelet with contact details, a precaution that would prove critical.
Her race number, M33485, adorned a yellow running vest with black and white stripes, paired with black tights, as she joined over 22,000 participants on June 8.
The event, celebrated for its camaraderie and community spirit, was poised to be a triumphant day, but chaotic post-race conditions at the finish line set the stage for an unforeseen crisis.
The Disappearance of Moira Harding: A Runner Lost in the Chaos
Moira Harding crossed the finish line at 4:52 p.m., completing the 89.9-kilometer course in 10 hours and 52 minutes, an impressive achievement for a first-time Comrades runner.
Her family, including sister Fiona and daughter Jordi, waited at the Pinetown and District Athletics Club tent to celebrate, but Harding never arrived.
Observers noted she appeared dazed at the finish, a common state for ultramarathoners battling extreme fatigue.
Fiona, who finished 20 minutes earlier, later told News24 that Moira “looked away and carried on running” when the family cheered, suggesting disorientation.
The finish area at People’s Park, located on an open street rather than a stadium, was widely criticized for its disorganization.
Runners and supporters described “chaotic scenes,” with poor crowd control, invisible signage, and bottlenecks that separated families.
Fiona Baldwin attributed Moira’s disappearance to this “unstructured” setup, arguing a stadium finish would have provided a controlled environment.
Social media posts echoed these sentiments, with one supporter noting, “The end of the race was completely chaotic and unorganized! It was impossible to find your runner”.
Amid this turmoil, Harding wandered away, last seen in the runners’ pen, her whereabouts unknown for over 15 hours.
The Search for Moira Harding: A Community Mobilizes
When Harding failed to meet her family, concern escalated rapidly. By Sunday evening, her daughter Jordi alerted authorities, and a missing person’s case was opened at Durban Central Police Station.
The Comrades Marathon Association issued an urgent appeal via social media, sharing Harding’s photo and race number, M33485, urging anyone with information to contact Gords Reid at 082 064 3030.
The running community, amplified by platforms like X, rallied, with posts from @PigSpotter and @NorthWesTimes spreading the alert.
A wide-scale search was launched, involving KwaZulu-Natal South African Police Service (SAPS) Search and Rescue, Metro Police, ALS Paramedics, Netcare 911, and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
Volunteers, family, and runners scoured Durban, reviewing CCTV footage from nearby facilities.
Gords Reid, a family friend, led efforts, pleading for prayers as the night wore on.
The search focused on areas near the finish, but Harding had traveled nearly 7 kilometers to Durban’s Point Waterfront, a high-crime area, raising fears of foul play or injury.
The Comrades Marathon Discovery: A Critical Condition
At approximately 7 a.m. on June 9, construction workers near the NSRI base on Mahatma Gandhi Road (Point Road) found Harding lying on her back, semi-conscious and hypothermic.
Initially mistaking her for a training runner, they alerted NSRI staff, who recognized her from social media posts.
NSRI coxswain Lorenzo Taverna-Turisan provided first aid, wrapping her in a blanket to combat severe hypothermia caused by overnight exposure to cold, wet weather.
ALS Paramedics, led by Garrith Jamieson, arrived, stabilizing Harding on-site before airlifting her via Netcare 911’s Aeromedical Helicopter to Umhlanga Netcare Hospital.
Harding was in critical condition, suffering from hypothermia and disorientation, likely exacerbated by post-race fatigue and rainy conditions.
Jamieson noted, “She was extremely cold, hypothermic, which leads to a further state of confusion,” attributing her state to the marathon’s physical toll and overnight exposure.
Her ICE bracelet enabled quick contact with her husband, ensuring family notification.
The Comrades Marathon Association confirmed her discovery, stating, “Moira Harding has been found and is alive,” sparking relief across South Africa.
Medical Recovery for Harding: A Long Road Ahead
Harding was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Umhlanga Netcare Hospital, where she remained sedated and monitored.
Despite no visible injuries, her critical condition required advanced care, with hypothermia and potential dehydration posing significant risks.
Her family reported stable vitals, with sister Fiona noting, “They’ve airlifted her from Shunga Hospital, and her vitals are good”.
Fish Hoek Athletics Club manager Andre Blom praised the ICE bracelet’s role, emphasizing its importance for runners.
The running community flooded social media with well-wishes. Facebook user Potso Selepe wrote, “Good news indeed! I’m beyond relieved that Moira Harding has been found safe and sound,” while Simitha Munoo prayed for a “speedy recovery”.
Harding’s ordeal highlighted the physical dangers of ultramarathons, where disorientation and fatigue are common, particularly for first-time runners like Harding.
Her recovery remains ongoing, with police awaiting a medical report to determine further action.
Investigation: Unanswered Questions
KwaZulu-Natal police, led by Colonel Robert Netshiunda, are investigating the circumstances of Harding’s disappearance, which remains a mystery.
Found 7 kilometers from the finish, Harding’s journey to Point Waterfront (through a dangerous area) raises questions about how she became separated from the race area.
Netshiunda noted, “Although she was found with no visible injuries, police will await a medical report”.
Speculation about disorientation, fatigue, or external factors persists, but no evidence of foul play has emerged.
Race director Alain Dalais acknowledged the incident, expressing relief at Harding’s recovery and noting another runner’s cardiac arrest, who also stabilized.
The absence of fatalities in the 2025 Comrades was a relief, but Harding’s case has prompted scrutiny of race safety protocols, particularly at the finish line.
Criticism of Race Organization
Harding’s disappearance has fueled criticism of the Comrades Marathon’s post-race setup.
The decision to host the finish on an open street, rather than a stadium, drew ire from runners and families.
Fiona Baldwin argued, “If the race had ended at the stadium, I don’t believe Moira would have gone missing”.
Supporters described “huge bottlenecks,” “zero crowd control,” and a “disaster” finish, with some waiting hours to reunite with runners.
The lack of visible medical support and signage exacerbated the chaos, potentially contributing to Harding’s disorientation.
Critics, including Baldwin, have called for a safety audit and a return to stadium finishes to ensure runner security.
The Comrades Marathon Association has yet to respond fully, but the incident has sparked broader discussions about athlete safety in ultramarathons, particularly for first-time participants like Harding.
The Role of Community and Technology
Harding’s safe recovery underscores the power of community and technology.
Social media, particularly X, amplified the search, with posts from @IOL, @KayaNews, and @News24 reaching thousands.
The ICE bracelet, a simple yet effective tool, ensured rapid family notification.
The collaborative effort of SAPS, NSRI, paramedics, and volunteers demonstrated the strength of South Africa’s running community, which rallied around Harding’s family.
The incident also highlights the importance of emergency preparedness in endurance events.
Fish Hoek Athletics Club’s Andre Blom advocated for ICE bracelets for all runners, noting their critical role in Harding’s case.
The search’s success, despite initial setbacks, reflects the resilience and unity that define the Comrades Marathon spirit.
Broader Implications for Ultramarathon Safety
Harding’s ordeal has sparked a global conversation about ultramarathon safety.
The physical and mental toll of races like Comrades can lead to disorientation, dehydration, and hypothermia, particularly in novice runners.
Her case emphasizes the need for:
1. Enhanced Finish Line Protocols: Controlled environments, clear signage, and visible medical support to prevent runner disorientation.
2. Post-Race Monitoring: Designated meeting points and medical checks for fatigued runners.
3. Emergency Identification: Mandatory ICE bracelets or tags to facilitate rapid response.
4. Crowd Management: Improved crowd control to ensure safe reunions between runners and families.
Globally, ultramarathons like the Boston Marathon and Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc face similar challenges, and Harding’s story may prompt organizers to reassess safety measures.
The Comrades Marathon, with its storied history, has an opportunity to lead in implementing reforms to protect its participants.
Conclusion
The disappearance and recovery of Comrades Marathon runner Moira Harding is a testament to human endurance, community resilience, and the critical need for safety in ultramarathons.
From her triumphant finish on June 8, 2025, to her critical discovery 15 hours later, Harding’s journey captivated a global audience, highlighting the risks of extreme endurance events and the strength of collective action.
As she recovers in ICU, supported by her family and the running community, her story serves as a call to action for race organizers to prioritize runner safety.
The Comrades Marathon, a symbol of perseverance, must evolve to ensure that every runner’s finish line is a place of celebration, not crisis.
Moira Harding’s legacy, forged in the crucible of the 2025 Comrades, will inspire reforms and remind the world of the indomitable spirit of those who dare to run the ultimate human race.
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