Global recognition for endurance
The fitness community in Kota is celebrating a massive milestone. Local runner Narendra Awasthi has achieved global acclaim by successfully finishing the world-famous Comrades Marathon 2026, held in South Africa. Widely considered one of the most grueling and prestigious ultra-marathons on the planet, the event served as a major test of human endurance. According to reports seen by TrendKia, Narendra Awasthi completed the challenging 86-kilometre up run in a time of 9 hours, 11 minutes and 54 seconds.
Securing the Robert Mtshali medal
For this incredible effort, Narendra Awasthi was awarded the Robert Mtshali medal, a prize that holds a higher classification than the standard bronze medal in the Comrades Marathon circuit. The race, which took place between the South African cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, required participants to tackle approximately 1750 metres of steep elevation gain, marking it as a physically demanding course that only elite endurance athletes attempt.
A seasoned finisher
This is not Narendra Awasthi's first encounter with this race, as he previously completed the marathon in 2023 and 2025. He is now a three-time Comrades Marathon finisher and holds two Robert Mtshali medals to his name. He credits his journey to a 2017 running event where his potential was first spotted by onlookers. Following that initial encouragement, he joined a running club and dedicated himself to a disciplined regimen of swimming, cycling, running, and intensive gym workouts.
Expanding his athletic horizon
The athletic prowess of Narendra Awasthi extends far beyond marathon running. He has successfully conquered the iconic Ironman 140.6 competition held in Hamburg, Germany, and has completed the Ironman 70.3 distance twice. His credentials also include winning the full Ironman title at the 2019 Delhi International Triathlon, where he showcased his versatility by completing a 3.8-kilometre swim, a 180-kilometre bike ride, and a 42.2-kilometre run within the stipulated time.
