Umhlanga-based Jade de Sousa (31) has accomplished what many runners only dream of – completing all six Abbott World Marathon Majors in under two and a half years.
What makes Jade’s feat even more remarkable is her determination to keep her race times competitive, with all six of her marathons completed in under 3 hours and 20 minutes and an overall average time of 3:09:30. This makes her the fastest and youngest South African woman to complete all six Abbott World Marathon Majors (only 36 South African women have completed this feat to date). Her best time, an impressive 3:05:35 at the Chicago Marathon, brought her close to breaking the elusive three-hour mark. And as if that wasn’t enough, she is now preparing for her first Comrades Marathon.
Growing up in a home where perseverance was a core value, Jade found inspiration in her family. Her brother is one of her greatest role models, and she describes her mom as the strongest person she knows. Her dad, who she lost to cancer in 2023, taught her what it means to work hard, chase her dreams, remain ambitious and disciplined, and never give up. Her fiancé, also an endurance sport enthusiast, shares her drive and dedication.
When she takes on Comrades, she won’t just be running for herself. She’ll be running in honour of her late father, her family and everyone who has ever faced adversity and chosen to push forward.
From casual jogger to passionate runner
Despite her impressive achievements, running wasn’t always part of Jade’s life. She played team sports such as hockey, tennis and squash in school but only started running at the end of her first year in university as a way to stay fit, struggling to complete even one kilometre without stopping. Encouraged by a friend, she gradually improved and eventually fell in love with the sport.
“I dreaded athletics days at school,” she laughs. “Now, I voluntarily go to the track!”
Over time, running became a way for her to decompress, think and challenge herself.
Pushing through the pain
Jade’s path to completing the World Marathon Majors wasn’t without obstacles. In late 2023, she suffered a stress fracture of her fibula, initially thought to be tendonitis. Even after running through the pain, an MRI eventually confirmed the break and she was bound to a moon boot for eight weeks – a frustrating setback for someone used to constant movement.
“The hardest part was when they extended my recovery period,” she says. “It felt like the goalpost had moved, and I had to start over.”
But true to her determined nature, she found ways to stay active, cycling in her moon boot and leaning on the support of friends and her coach.
The mental battle of marathons
Running a marathon is as much a mental challenge as a physical one. Jade describes the emotional rollercoaster of a race – the euphoria of starting, the inevitable dark moments of doubt, and the incredible high of crossing the finish line.
“You meet a different version of yourself in every race,” she says. “You learn just how tough you really are.”
Conquering the world’s biggest races
Jade’s journey through the six World Marathon Majors – Berlin, New York, London, Chicago, Boston and Tokyo – was a mix of personal victories and unforgettable experiences.
· Berlin (first major) – Marked the beginning of her journey and introduced her to lifelong running friends.
· New York – A solo adventure in her favourite city, where the energy and crowd support were unmatched.
· London – A deeply personal race, as it was the first major she ran after her father’s passing. She set a personal best and broke the 3:10 barrier.
· Chicago – Her fastest marathon, though it came with lessons in resilience after missing her ultimate goal time.
· Boston – The absolute pinnacle, sharing the race with a dear friend and the feeling of having made it to the prestigious marathon.
· Tokyo (final star) – A moment of triumph as she officially joined the elite group of runners who have completed all six majors.
The road to Comrades
Now, Jade is preparing for an entirely different challenge – the Comrades Marathon, an ultra-marathon that demands not just endurance but an unbreakable mindset.
“Training for Comrades isn’t drastically different from marathon training,” she explains. “It’s about adding longer runs, hill work, and, most importantly, believing that I can take on the challenge. Belief in your training and belief in yourself.”
Her mantra, “If not now, when?”, will carry her through when she takes on the race, along with the courage and support of those around her, in person and in spirit.
Lessons from the road
Through years of training, racing and overcoming setbacks, Jade has learned invaluable lessons:
· You are more capable than you think.
· Discipline and determination extend beyond running into daily life.
· You never know who you are inspiring – so keep going.
Details: IG: @jadedesousa
