Four Best of the Best Marathon 2025 runners were killed in a car crash when heading back to Johannesburg. From left Adolph Ramalanzwa (O’deal), Mbali Khanyi Hlatshwayo, Siraj Mbale and Seza Phiri.
Image: Best of the Best Marathon/ Facebook
The athletics fraternity is mourning the deaths of four runners who died in a crash after participating in the Best of the Best Marathon 2025 in Durban on Sunday.
Siraj Mbale, Adolph Ramalanzwa (O’deal), Seza Phiri and Mbali Khanyi Hlatshwayo died when returning home in Johannesburg.
In a joint statement, the Best of the Best Marathon and Ama-Ravens Athletics Club announced that four runners who participated in the marathon, who travelled from Johannesburg to participate in the race, were involved in a car accident on their way back home.
“As the Best of the Best Marathon organising team and Ama-Ravens Athletics Club, we extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, loved ones, and the running community. We are deeply saddened by this loss and are in the process of reaching out to the families to offer our support and gather details regarding their memorial services,” the statement read.
“To the families, friends, and teammates of these runners, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find strength and comfort in the memories shared, and may their souls rest in peace.”
The running community was also encouraged to stand in solidarity as they honour and remember the four athletes.
On X (formerly Twitter), Running With Sole AC said: “There are no goodbyes for us, wherever you are, you’ll always be in our hearts.”
On Facebook and X, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala who also participated in the marathon said: “Saddened to hear about this unfortunate turn of events for our fellow runners
“This is heartbreaking! May their souls rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers go (out) to their families and loved ones.”
Todd Ntwana Ya Skontere said: “This is so heartbreaking. Seza was having a season of his life... On Sunday he named his PB run "season finale" Kante. Od, what a guy, he'd find something positive when I'm crying in my stories, hypeman of note. Laidback yet hardworking dude. Condolences to their families. (sic)”
Tumelo Ramaoka said: “Thato ya Modimo... O’deal would make sure he reminds me that he will finish before whenever he sees me at the race. Definitely going to miss those reminders and challenges. He had so much potential. This left me shattered. Rest well...”
Tebogo Mokubung said: “This hurts. I’ve lost dedicated running strategists & a loving sister who always made sure everyone around her was taken care of.
“Gents, we had plans for this coming weekend.”
Waterfall City Athletics Club said: “The running community has indeed lost a great deal. With saddened hearts we say, Rest Well to our champs from @RunningWithTum1. Our sincerest condolences to all friends & families of our champs. Your race may have been cut short however you champs ran it and ran it well.”
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za