Possibly The Worst & Best Race I've Ever Run (Comrades Marathon 2025)

I really appreciate the honesty in this video. Not just you opening up about the struggles that you experience, but uploading a race where you're not feeling well and struggling through nearly half of it is SO important. Many people like to only show highlights of their life, but you're taking effort to show the harder bits as well.

Honesty and integrity, transparency and the raw truth. A humbling watch by a genuine guy showing us what running means to him (and to us all). Many you-tubers would not post that, and ditched the video or would have glossed it up to present the picture they want shown to the world. You utter commitment to integrity and honesty just speaks volumes about the person that you are, and myself, along with thousands of others who watch your videos, can only express our genuine gratitude and thanks for how this raw emotional video, shows your immense struggle, but makes us realise that this happens to us all, and that we all struggle and so the real take home from the video….is that it is ok to struggle. Your video makes me realise that I am not alone, and that makes me feel connected and better about myself. Thank you Ben for your selfless sharing of this tough tough day and many congratulations for your endurance, spirit, determination, and your humility. I cannot express the respect I have you, and now even more so

Thank you for another wonderful and honest video, Ben. May I offer a perspective that I hope may help you and others? In the debrief you say 'who cares what you can do in training, it's what you do on race day that matters'. I know what you mean, but I actually think it's the other way round. Training makes up the vast majority of our running lives. That's what we do every day, so I think it's actually much more important than racing. In a sense getting out and training consistently every week, eating well and sleeping well, looking after body, is the race. Perhaps that perspective could help take some of the pressure off on race day. Even if we were to never run a race, the training would still be valuable. Sending warm wishes and a great deal of respect!

It was a pleasure seeing you on the road I am the runner in blue vest around 42km, it was tough day indeed you did well to hang on to the finish🎉 see you next year.

Hi Ben, I was also at Comrades this year and had a similar situation but rather than my stomach acting up, my heart rate was acting up from the start which led to severe cramps from 38ks, was targetting sub 9 hours but saw bus after bus pass me, also managed to say well done to Sarah at the bottom of Fields Hill too. Came in at 10h46m so you are not the only one that blew up big style. We both will have to make a massive comeback to this gem of a race! But hold our heads high that we completed this beast even after all the hardship thrown our ways.

thank you for sharing all of this man, huge to see someone so experienced being real about their mental health. thanks!

I ran my very first Comrades Marathon in 2025, and I won’t even lie, the start alone gave me goosebumps. The traditional songs like Chariots of Fire and Shosholoza set a tone that’s nothing short of magical. And when that rooster crows... it’s more than a sound, it’s a deeply emotional moment that marks the beginning of something legendary. The Comrades isn’t just a race, it’s a spiritual journey. God willing, I’ll be back at the start line in 2026. 🙌🏾

Hey Ben, thank you for the brutally honest video. Talking about mental health is such a difficult thing to do. For what it is worth, I wanted to share your impact in my life, despite us having never met. About 3 years ago, I was in a very dark place. This is the first time I started running in my life. I’m now 47. In the early phases of my running hobby, your videos were one of the main sources of information and motivation that kept me going. I’ve never liked running in my life before… I now do. I’m fully in love with running and run almost every day. Last weekend I completed a 86k ultra over mountains. A life changing experience, I would never have imagined I’d be able to complete before. Running is now part of my life, part of my happiness and part of me. It has held my head above the water when going through very tough time. It has made me a better person and a better parent to my children and a better husband to my wife. Your videos have bean a big part of what made it all possible. For that I sincerely thank you! I truly wish you the best and hope to see you overcome whatever you’re wrestling with. I hope one day to shake your hand if we ever cross paths.

Hi Ben, Saw you before the start. Good seeing you. You're a legend for finishing despite all the struggles. That's the true essence of a Comrade.

Was great meeting you and suffering on the road together. Main thing, we got it done! See you next year? 😉