- George Kusche has achieved another milestone following his historic Comrades Marathon victory earlier this year
- The South African distance runner travelled to Europe for a major race that tested his progress over a shorter distance
- Another South African athlete also made an impression in Amsterdam with a performance on his marathon debut
Source: Twitter
George Kusche has continued his impressive 2026 season by setting a new marathon personal best at the Amsterdam Marathon in the Netherlands on Sunday, 18 October. The reigning Comrades Marathon champion clocked 2:10:09 over 42.195km to finish 26th overall.
The Nedbank Running Club athlete improved on his previous marathon best by more than three minutes, adding another milestone to his road-running career.
George Kusche sets new marathon personal best
Best known for his achievements in ultra-distance racing, Kusche is now making strides over the 42.195km marathon. His latest outing in Amsterdam offered further evidence of his growing ability to handle the shorter distance.
The 37-year-old lined up alongside international competitors at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon and crossed the finish line in 26th place. While he narrowly missed the top 25, recording a personal best made the race another important step in his development as a marathon runner.
From Comrades Marathon glory to Amsterdam
Kusche cemented his place in Comrades Marathon history in June by conquering the 85.777km route from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in 5:15:56, setting a new Up Run record. His performance in Amsterdam adds another achievement to a standout year and demonstrates his progress across different race distances.
Fellow South African Cwenga Nose also delivered an impressive result in Amsterdam, clocking 2:09:35 to finish 23rd overall in his first marathon.
Who won the Amsterdam Marathon?
Ethiopia's Lemi Berhanu won the men's race in 2:03:32, narrowly missing the course record. Kenya's Nicholas Kipkorir finished second in 2:03:38, while compatriot Patrick Mosin took third in 2:03:57.
Kusche's performance adds another achievement to his season. After his record-breaking Comrades victory, the Amsterdam result highlights his continued development over the marathon distance.
Source: Facebook
George Kusche considers becoming a full-time professional runner
Briefly News previously reported that George Kusche was considering a major career change after his record-breaking 2026 Comrades Marathon victory.
The South African runner, who works as a data scientist and coaches himself, said the victory had opened opportunities he had not previously considered.
Source: Briefly News
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