Comrades Marathon: Fish Hoek runner in critical condition after mysterious disappearance

Fish Hoek Athletics Club (FHAC) member Moira Harding, 54, is in a critical condition in an Umhlanga hospital after she had wandered off and went missing after completing the Comrades Marathon on Sunday June 8.

FHAC clubhouse manager Andre Blom said Ms Harding had been wearing an "in case of emergency" (ICE) rubber bracelet with her emergency contact details when she was found.

He said thanks to the information on the ICE bracelet, her husband had been contacted.

IOL reported that a missing persons report was filed after friends and family were unable to locate her following her 5pm race finish, prompting a full-scale search.

Police in KwaZulu-Natal are piecing together the circumstances around the disappearance of Comrades Marathon runner, Moira Harding. 

She was later found by staff from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), in Durban's Point Waterfront area. 

Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson at ALS Paramedics, said they received multiple calls just after 7am on Monday morning. 

He said paramedics, together with police Search and Rescue and Metro Police Search and Rescue proceeded to the end of Point Road near the NSRI base.

"On arrival paramedics found the critically injured runner lying on the side of the jetty. Immediately, Advanced Life Support paramedics worked to stabilise the runner at the scene before the decision was made to bring in an aeromedical helicopter to rapidly transport the patient to a hospital for the urgent care that she required," Mr Jamieson said.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers were investigating 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. 

Mr Blom who is also the chairman of the Fish Hoek Community Police Forum (CPF) said the forum will soon launch ICE bracelets in the community.

"It is essential for runners, hikers and cyclists as well as the elderly," he said.

Mr Blom said the club wished Ms Harding a speedy recovery and was keeping her in its prayers.