Moira’s Comrades ordeal: Lost, alone, and clinging to life

Moira Harding

Cape Town – Moira Harding, a 54-year-old member of Fish Hoek Athletics Club, is reportedly in critical condition after going missing following her completion of the Comrades Marathon.

She was found the next morning near Durban’s Point Waterfront by the NSRI and emergency services. Thanks to an emergency contact bracelet she was wearing, her husband was notified.

A missing persons report had been filed after she failed to reunite with friends and family post-race.

According to IOL, Harding was eventually discovered by National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) personnel at Durban’s Point Waterfront early Monday morning.

ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson confirmed that multiple emergency calls were received just after 7am. Responders, including Metro and SAPS Search and Rescue teams, found Harding critically injured near the end of Point Road by the NSRI base.

Advanced Life Support paramedics stabilised her on-site before an emergency helicopter airlifted her to hospital for urgent care.

“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,” the report quoted KZN police spokesperson, Robert Netshiunda as saying.

Police are investigating the circumstances of her disappearance, and a medical report is awaited, he said. 

Meanwhile, according to EWN, Harding’s sister, Fiona Baldwin, criticised the chaotic and poorly managed race finish, which ended in a street instead of a stadium.

She believes this change contributed to Harding going missing.

Fish Hoek Athletics Club manager Andre Blom said Harding’s emergency ID bracelet helped rescuers contact her husband. He also noted that while the club had a designated meet-up point, Harding had planned to meet her sister separately.

“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.”

Quick Recap:

What happened to Moira Harding after the Comrades Marathon?

Moira Harding, a 54-year-old member of the Fish Hoek Athletics Club in Cape Town, went missing after completing the Comrades Marathon on Sunday. She was later found in critical condition near Durban’s Point Waterfront.

When and where was Moira Harding found?

She was discovered early on Monday morning near the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) base at Durban’s Point Waterfront. Emergency services received multiple calls around 7am, prompting a coordinated response.

Who found her and what was her condition?

Personnel from the NSRI, along with Metro Police and SAPS Search and Rescue teams, found Harding lying unresponsive and hypothermic near the end of Point Road. She had no visible injuries but was in a critical state.

How was Moira Harding identified and her family contacted?

Thanks to an emergency ID bracelet (known as an ICE – “In Case of Emergency” – bracelet), responders were able to retrieve her emergency contact information. Her husband was contacted through the number provided on the bracelet.

Was there a search operation launched?

Yes. A missing persons report was filed after Harding failed to reunite with friends and family following her 5pm race finish. This led to a full-scale search effort that continued into the next morning.

What action was taken after she was found?

Advanced Life Support paramedics stabilised her at the scene. Due to the seriousness of her condition, an emergency helicopter was called in to airlift her to a hospital in Umhlanga, where she remains in ICU under observation.

Are police investigating the incident?

Yes. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda confirmed that an investigation is underway. Although she had no visible injuries, they are awaiting a medical report to determine the next steps.

What did her family say about the race conditions?

Harding’s sister, Fiona Baldwin, criticised the event’s finish line setup, describing it as chaotic and poorly controlled. She pointed out that the race ended in a street instead of the usual stadium, which may have contributed to the confusion and Harding’s disappearance.

What safety concerns were raised by the incident?

The incident has raised questions about runner safety and event logistics. Fish Hoek Athletics Club manager Andre Blom highlighted the importance of ICE bracelets and noted that Harding had planned to meet her sister separately, outside of the club’s designated meeting point.

What is an ICE bracelet and why is it important?

An ICE (In Case of Emergency) bracelet is a rubber band with an embedded tag that includes the wearer’s emergency contact details. It allows first responders or the public to quickly notify family or medical personnel in case of an emergency, as it did in Harding’s case

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