'I could run it again!' Oldest finisher in Comrades history says 'age is just a number'

Sunday's incredible day of records at the 2023 Comrades Marathon was not only about Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn.

The two winners set new records for the down-run and were the heroes, bringing Kingsmead Cricket Stadium to a standstill with world-class performances.

But three and a half hours after the celebrations accompanying Steyn had ended, Durban was about to witness another new Comrades record that was equally impressive.

It came from 81-year-old Polokwane bricklayer Johannes Mosehla, who finished his 10th Comrades in a jaw-dropping time of 09:26:10, comfortably beating more than half of the field.

In the process, Mosehla became the oldest runner ever to finish a Comrades Marathon, beating race legend Wally Hayward's 34-year record after he completed the race in 1989 as an 80-year-old.

READ | The perfect South African day: Comrades 2023 a celebration of 'such a beautiful country'

At Durban's Elangeni Hotel during the Comrades winners' prizegiving breakfast on Monday morning, Mosehla was honoured by dignitaries and had a noticeable spring in his step. 

"I'm feeling strong," Mosehla told News24.

"I could run it again!"

Johannes Mosehla 9:26:10 oldest ever #Comrades finisher Fordyce has said that greatest 2 Comrades runs were Frith vd Merwe’s 1989 5:54:43 record (15th overall) & 79yo Wally Hayward’s 9:44:15 in 1988. Wally returned in 1989 to set record as oldest Comrade with a 10:58:03 finish. pic.twitter.com/rY3HSeFUKv

Still working despite his age, Mosehla says there is no great secret to his staggering longevity. Like many things, it takes hard work and dedication.

"There is no secret. My secret is to train. You can't win without training," he said.

"I'm training three times a week.

"It depends how my body is. Sometimes,