"This Much Pain": SA Woman’s Viral TikTok Shows Struggle After 2025 Comrades Marathon

• A woman's TikTok video showing her struggle to walk after completing the Comrades Marathon went viral, capturing the reality of post-race muscle pain
• She kept her humour, joking about how every step feels like a battle, which resonated with fellow runners
• South Africans flooded the comments section, sharing their own marathon struggles and offering support to the lady for showing the "real" side of recovery
• Briefly News spoke to fitness trainer and Sensei Gregory William Knipe on how people could prepare for the Comrades Marathon

A woman has gone viral on social media after sharing a hilarious yet relatable video showing the aftermath of completing the gruelling Comrades Marathon.

Woman’s painful walk after completing Comrades Marathon

The footage, posted on 10 June 2025, on TikTok, shows the woman, who goes by the handle @annaruns7, after the ultra-marathon, capturing her struggling to walk down the stairs due to extreme muscle pain.

In the video, she clutches the stair railing and takes slow, careful steps, wincing in pain, a clear sign of the toll that the 87km race had taken on her body.

"This much pain despite stretching after a race," she said in her caption.

Although visibly in pain, the @annaruns7 kept her sense of humour, jokingly demonstrating how every movement felt like a battle. The clip had South Africans both sympathising and laughing, with many fellow runners commenting that they were experiencing the exact same thing.

"The way I enjoy this type of pain, one person joked."

The Comrades Marathon, known as one of the world’s toughest endurance races, took place on Sunday, drawing thousands of participants from around the globe. While the event is a moment of pride and triumph for many, the physical strain in the days following the race is undeniable.

According to Runner's World and Very Well Health, the post-marathon muscle soreness, especially in the quads, is common due to the repeated impact on the legs during the long run, particularly on a “down” run like this year’s edition.

The primary cause of this soreness is delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which typically occurs 12 to 24 hours after strenuous or new exercise and peaks 24 to 72 hours after the activity.

Muscle lengthening under strain, or eccentric contractions, is the main cause of DOMS. Microscopic tears in muscle fibres result from the quadriceps' eccentric contraction during downhill running, which controls the fall. Inflammation and the typical discomfort linked to DOMS are caused by this microtrauma.

Despite her temporary struggle, the woman’s determination and sense of humour captured hearts across the country, with many praising her for showing the “real” side of marathon recovery.

Watch the video below:

How to prepare for the Comrades Marathon

While speaking to Briefly News, fitness trainer and Sensei Gregory William Knipe shared the following tips on how to prepare for the Comrades Marathon.

Build a Strong Base: Start by gradually increasing your weekly mileage to build endurance. Aim to peak at around 80-100 km per week leading up to the marathon.

"Incorporate Long Runs: Include long runs (between 25-35 km) every week to simulate the marathon distance. These runs help your body adapt to the physical and mental challenges of the race," said Sensei Gregory William Knipe.

Cross-Training: Include strength training, swimming, or cycling in your routine to improve overall fitness and reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Focus on strengthening the core, legs, and stabilising muscles.

Hill Training: Since the Comrades Marathon includes significant elevation changes, hill training is essential.

"Incorporate uphill and downhill running into your workouts to build leg strength and improve running form."

Nutrition: Fueling your body properly during training and on race day is critical. Ensure you're eating a balanced diet rich in carbs, proteins, and healthy fats. Practice taking in energy gels or drinks during long runs to ensure you can sustain energy during the race.

Rest and Recovery: Adequate rest and recovery are crucial. Include rest days and recovery sessions in your schedule to allow your muscles to rebuild and reduce the risk of injury.

Mental Preparation: The Comrades Marathon is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Use visualisation techniques and positive self-talk to stay motivated. Train your mind to push through fatigue and discomfort during long runs.

Tapering: In the final few weeks before the race, reduce your mileage and intensity to allow your body to rest and recover, ensuring you're in peak condition on race day.

"By following these expert tips, you can enhance your chances of having a successful and injury-free Comrades Marathon experience," he said.

SA reacts to woman's TikTok after Comrades struggle

The online community took to the comments section to express their thoughts on the lady's post about the Comrades Marathon struggles, saying:

Thewo Wa Business wrote:

"Bathong, y'all deserve free spa days. Seen a couple of runners going through the same. We are proud of y'all."

Lungile said:

"Well done, Anna. You did that, girl."

Idols advised:

"You need to rest those muscles."

Nobuntu expressed:

"But why is he not carrying you down those stairs? Because muscle pain gets worse when you have to lift your legs up the stairs."

SA women share inspiring weight loss journeys

• Briefly News reported that a young woman in South Africa has taken social media by storm after revealing her incredible 100kg weight loss journey, inspiring thousands across the country
• A young woman posted an inspiring video showing her weight loss transformation, which wowed many online users.
• A lady who goes by the TikTok handle @anittanxusa shared her incredible journey of losing weight, and the young hun flexed her new body on the video platform.

Proofreading by Rianette Cluley, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News