Comrades runner Moira Harding being monitored in ICU

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In a frightening incident that has gripped South Africa, Comrades runner Moira Harding was found on Monday morning after going missing in the hours after completing the famous ultramarathon in Durban on Sunday.

Harding was found near the National Sea Rescue Institute base in The Point area of Durban, several kilometres from the finishing area, and she was quickly airlifted to the Intensive Care Unit at a hospital in Umhlanga.

The 54-year-old was reported to be largely unresponsive and in a critical condition when she was found by construction workers after seemingly battling the elements throughout the night, having seemingly becoming disoriented after the race.

It’s been suggested that the chaotic, crowded and poorly controlled finish at the People’s Park, rather than a more expansive stadium, could have contributed to Harding being led astray.

Harding had been wearing an ‘”‘in case of emergency’”‘ (ICE) rubber bracelet with her emergency contact details when she was found, apparently lying on her back near Durban’s harbour.

In the latest update, it’s believed that Harding is being carefully treated for dehydration and hypothermia, and remains under sedation in order to allow her the best chance of a quick recovery after being found in a hypothermic state.

Although she presented no visible signs of injuries, it still remains a mystery as to how or why she ended up so far from the finish area of the Comrades, but some eye witnesses have reported Harding already appeared dazed soon after completing the gruelling marathon.

Harding’s family waited at the finish with plans of meeting up upon her completion of the race, but real concern set in when she could not be located, leading to a citywide search for more than 12 hours.

Understandable concern for the Comrades runner Moira Harding spread across South Africa

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers were planning to further investigate the incident.

“The woman is currently in hospital and although she was found with no visible injuries, police will await the medical report, which will determine police’s next course of action,” he said.

Harding’s Fish Hoek Athletic Club Manager Andre Blom said that thanks to her emergency tag, her husband was quickly contacted once she was found.

“She was wearing an ID bracelet; they call it an ICE bracelet in case of emergencies, so it’s a rubber band which has a tag in it and on that tag, you would then put in emergency contact details so if any person finds you they can immediately phone that tag number and then they will then be able to get into contact the emergency contact for that person that is how they found her husband.”