South African runner wins 2013 Comrades Marathon

Sweden's Jonas Buud came second while Mpesela Ntlosoeu from Lesotho came third. Elena Nurgaliewa from Russia won the women's race.

The race kicked off at 5.30am in Durban and concluded at 5.30pm in Pietermaritzburg.

The marathon attracts athletes (men and women) from around the world to partake in the 86.96km race between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

Along the route there were 48 fully stocked refreshment stations, containing water, fruit, energy drinks, energy bars, chocolates, biscuits and cooked potatoes which were powered by nearly 5000 volunteers.

Extensive medical, emergency, first aid and physiotherapy provisions for the thousands of participants were also been put in place.

Comrades Marathon Association race director Johan Van Staden had said on the day: "We have catered in every possible way to make the 2013 Comrades Marathon a magnificent experience for our runners. We wish all participants a great run on race day."

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) had 191 DCS officials participating in the gruelling race.