Pretoria – Dezirée du Plessis, a 45-year-old Pretoria mother of two who was struck by a taxi during the Soweto Marathon on 29 November, has died from her injuries.
According to The Citizen, she underwent emergency surgery for severe bleeding on the brain but did not recover.
Her sister Marijke Miller confirmed her passing on Friday morning.
“Dezzi breathed her last breath this morning and completed her race. She fought to the end but went soft and peaceful,” Miller posted on Facebook.
Tragic news:
Soweto Marathon runner Dezirée du Plessis (45) has died after being hit by a taxi during last month’s race. Memorial run to be held in her honour. #SowetoMarathon #RIPDezirée
Full story: https://t.co/S9yo569Kop pic.twitter.com/CPhR8Br35Y— Joburg News (@x_JoburgNews) December 12, 2025
A BackaBuddy fundraising campaign launched during her hospitalisation raised over R330 000 for medical costs, and a memorial fun run planned in Pretoria will still go ahead in her honour, reported Joburg News.
The taxi driver who hit Du Plessis — allegedly under the influence and ignoring metro police instructions to stay off the race route — has been arrested for reckless and negligent driving.
Du Plessis, a committed long-distance runner who completed events like the City 2 City ultra-marathon, is being remembered with tributes from loved ones and the running community.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
