Ten Comrades Collective Members Look to 100 Years of Comrades

With the Comrades Marathon Association AGM scheduled for 30 November, the list of board nominations was released today.

Amongst the nominees are a group called the Comrades Collective – a diverse alliance of skilled, qualified and experienced individuals united by a shared goal: to steer the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) towards a new era of professionalism, strategic and transparent governance.

This group comprises people at the top of their fields, including a multiple gold medallist, a former chairperson, a respected attorney, entrepreneurs, business leaders, passionate Comrades runners and dedicated volunteers. Together, they bring a unique balance of CMA institutional knowledge, culture and stability, combined with fresh perspectives, energy and innovative ideas.

We welcome other nominees who share our ideals and who want to contribute to building the Comrades to join us. Through inclusive, ethical servant leadership, we can better work together.

The collective offers a wide range of expertise, including:

• Strategy
• Legal
• Finance
• IT, digital and cyber
• HR
• Marketing and communications
• Public administration
• Project and risk management
• Corporate governance
• Safety and security
• Engineering
• Athletics and sporting industry credentials

All candidates have submitted information for detailed integrity and background checks. Comprehensive CVs and references from respected individuals and institutions are available.

Why now?

With seven out of nine Board positions up for election, there is a unique opportunity to chart a path of renewal and invigoration for the Comrades Marathon. As the 100th running of the race approaches in 2027, we must ensure the race continues to deliver for athletes, sponsors, communities and the country.

“It is not the strongest of the species, nor the most intelligent, that survives, but the one most responsive to change.” – Charles Darwin

Over the years, the Comrades Marathon has become more than just a race. It impacts the lives of participants, supporters, officials and partners. For many in South Africa and around the world, it has become a way of life.

The 2024 CMA AGM presents a profound opportunity for CMA members to influence the future direction of the “Ultimate Human Race”. The Comrades Collective aims to form a Board of Directors capable of laying the foundation for the next 100 years, elevating the event to truly international status while embodying the best of African excellence.

We believe that success and sustainability hinge on having the right people in the right positions. This will restore confidence and strengthen relationships with sponsors, as well as with public and private sector stakeholders.

The collective is committed to furthering ongoing recognition and a culture of volunteerism and community involvement, which are essential to the spirit of the Comrades Marathon.

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” – Albert Einstein

Our goals

• Help to shift the CMA Board’s focus from operational matters to ethical, effective leadership, providing oversight and support to the operational team. We aim to ensure the right people with the right skills are in place and held accountable.
• Provide strategic direction, including planning and marketing for the 100th Comrades in 2027 and beyond.
• Support and grow sponsorships while developing new income streams.
• Ensure long-term sustainability.
• Drive technological innovation.
• Strengthen legal, fiduciary, governance and risk management frameworks.
• Promote corporate citizenship and social responsibility.
• Reaffirm the CMA’s commitment to its core values: accountability, altruism, dignity, respect, integrity, transparency and unity in diversity. These values should guide all actions and decisions.
• Additionally, we aim to renew the culture of putting Runners First, focusing on the specific needs of athletes from all demographics and categories – elite, recreational, novice, Green Number, foreign and local, including those with disabilities.

List of Candidates & brief descriptions of skills and areas of expertise.

Les Burnard is a Chartered Accountant, Former CMA Vice Chair and Chair of the CMA Finance Committee, who very ably steered CMA’s finances through the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic back to a stage of healthy surplus. He is a Collegians Harriers Life Member, former Chair and Race Organiser, whose areas of expertise are Financial Management, HR, Strategic Planning, Risk & Safety Management. 2 Comrades Medals.

Jack Davis is the Chief Operating Officer of T+W, Africa’s most awarded Sports Agency, previously Director for WorldWide Sports for a period of 9 years. His areas of expertise are Marketing, Advertising, Broadcasting, Content Production, Sponsorship Acquisition and Activation. He was also the Founder and Race Director of the Karkloof Trail Race. Green Number 47738. 11 Comrades Marathon Medals.

Alan Gray is a retired electrical engineer, who was KZN Regional Manager for MTN, Senior Advisor to Smart Communications in the Phillipines and Group Director of Celtel International responsible for 12 African countries. Having vast experience in telecoms in Africa, Asia, Southern Africa, his areas of expertise are Telecommunications, Business Management, HR, Industrial Relations; Accounting, Race Organisation. Green Number 7010. 12 Comrades Medals.

Barry Holland who has run 49 consecutive Comrades Marathons is a former Checkers Supermarket group General Manager and sports entrepreneur, running his own company The Race Organisation Company. His areas of Expertise are in Race Organisation, Leadership, Marketing, Athletics Administration and Public Speaking. Green Number 916. 49 Comrades Marathon Medals (record).

Mark Leathers is a highly respected, articulate, innovative, and energetic Attorney, who has represented a number of large corporate entities on two continents. With twenty years of experience his particular areas of expertise are in Corporate Governance, Commercial and Contractual Law, Dispute Resolution, Business and Credit Security. 1 Comrades Marathon Medal.

Brenda Marolen is a businesswoman with 34 years of experience in Human Resources, Performance Management, Business Operations, Corporate Social Investment, Project Management, Finance, and Athletics Administration as a club founder, secretary and chairperson. She previously held positions at Usizo Consutancy,, SA Express Airways and Thebe Investments. Her passion for athletes is immeasurable.

Willie Mtolo is a multiple Gold Medallist, who finished 2nd on two occasions 13 years apart, former SA Marathon Champion and Winner of the New York Marathon. In a career spanning three decades has been a professional athlete, entrepreneur, farmer, coach, administrator and founder of the Willie Mtolo Training Academy, who is uniquely qualified to bring to the CMA Board first-hand experience, insights and advocacy of the particular motivations and needs of elite, as well as underprivileged and rural athletes. Green Number 1119. 8 Comrades Marathon Medals.

Mqondisi Ngcobo is the immediate past CMA Chairperson, highly respected Leader, Administrator and experienced Race Organiser. He currently holds the position of Senior Manager in the KZN Legislature, a position he has held for 19 years, and was a former Deputy Director at Statistics South Africa. He has an outstanding reputation and excellent relationships in both public and private sectors. 6 Comrades Marathon Medals.

Carel Nolte is the Chief Marketing Officer of EasyEquities, and the Founder and CEO of CN&CO Brand Consultancy. He was twice Comrades Marathon’s top charity fundraiser, was the co-founder and sponsor of Born2Run AC and has served on numerous business and charity organisations in various roles. His areas of expertise are HR, BEE, Conflict Resolution, Public Relations, Financial Services, Fund-Raising and Communication. 3 Comrades Marathon Medals.

Rory Steyn was the Team leader of President Mandela’s personal protection team and was the co-founder and owner of NSA Global Security Consultants. He has served on the Security Directorate and/or LOC of at least five World Cricket Cups, and provided security services at six Olympic Games, and to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He is regarded as the world’s foremost cricket security expert and has served on the organising bodies of over 20 major global sports events over 5 years. Green Number 42743. 12 Comrades Marathon Medals.