The road running community lost an icon of the sport this past weekend. Cheryl Winn, the 1982 Comrades Marathon women’s winner, a former chairperson of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) board, and a devoted supporter of road running in South Africa, tragically lost her life in a fall in the Drakensberg. Cheryl was on a family holiday pursuing one of her passions, nature photography.

Her legacy will continue to inspire all who lace up their shoes and take to the road.

The Runner’s World team is deeply saddened by her sudden passing. Cheryl was a true legend of South African road running and a true inspiration to generations of runners. Her passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the sport left an indelible mark on the running community. Her legacy will continue to inspire all who lace up their shoes and take to the road. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and the countless athletes whose lives she touched.

Cheryl is best remembered for her many years of service to the Comrades Marathon, with many describing her as the event’s matriarch. Working alongside her late husband, himself a former chairperson of the CMA Board and Comrades Marathon legend, she filled several roles for the CMA. 

In 2017, she became the only former winner of the race to be elected chairperson of the CMA board, and when she stood down in 2021, she continued to serve the race as part of the finance, marketing and membership, and heritage and traditions committees, as well as the CMA elders committee.

Cheryl ran the Comrades Marathon six times from 1978 to 1984, never finishing lower than fifth position in the women’s race. Having finished fourth in her first race, she was runner-up twice in 1980 and 1981, then claimed the women’s title in 1982. 

While still running competitively, Winn became involved in the administrative side of the sport, initially at club and provincial level, and went on to play a leading role, alongside her late husband, Mick Winn, in the national federation, South African Road Running Association (SARRA), which later became Athletics South Africa (ASA).

CMA chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo says, “Cheryl’s passing is a great loss not only to the CMA, but to the whole athletics family. From 1978, she dedicated her life to the service of the sport of athletics, and the Comrades Marathon in particular. Cheryl’s legacy in this 104-year-old ultra marathon is unparalleled, and her passing is a devastating loss to the CMA family. She remains the Comrades Marathon’s matriarch.

 “On behalf of the CMA Board, staff, race organising committee, our elders, sponsors, partners and participants, we pass our deepest condolences to the Winn family, and wish them strength as they deal with this tragic loss. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.”

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