Thousands of runners laced up their shoes and braved the early morning rain on Sunday to tackle Joburg’s Toughest Half Marathon, the Pirates 21K, powered by MedShield. The race started from Pirates Club in Greenside, with almost 4,000 participants testing their fitness on the gruelling, hilly route that has become iconic on the Joburg running calendar.

Known for its tough climbs, the Pirates 21K is not just another half marathon—it’s an event that pushes runners to their limits. “I was hoping for a sub-two, and I’m so happy I made it. But during the race, I kept asking myself—what am I doing here?” laughed one finisher. Another runner added, “Pirates isn’t a normal 21K, it’s its own beast!”

Hear more from participants at the finish line.

The competition was fierce, with Tsépo Ramashamole winning the men’s category in a time of 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 21 seconds — just one minute shy of the course record. In the women’s category, Comrades Marathon champion Gerda Steyn came close to rewriting the record books, crossing the line in 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 20 seconds, missing the course record by just 20 seconds.

Race Director Joni Vizet praised the runners: “We had some fantastic performances out there today. The vibe was electric, and it’s great to see so many runners embracing this challenging event.” After conquering the demanding course, many runners gathered inside Pirates Club to catch up with friends, swap war stories, and—of course—enjoy a well-earned refreshment.