by NJABULO BUTHELEZI
DURBAN – ATHLETES from the Nedbank Running Club will enter Sunday’s Comrades Marathon as the favourites.
Thousands of runners from across the world will participate in the 98th edition of “The Ultimate Human Race” rubbing between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal Province on Sunday.
Among these are defending champion and record holder, Tete Dijane (South Africa), and 2024 up run winner Piet Wiersma (Netherlands), both of the Nedbank club.
The club believes there is a big possibility that it will be able to claim the top three spots in the men’s race this year, with Edward Mothibi preparing to make a major statement at the 2025 edition.
Mothibi won the race in 2019. However, buoyed by last year’s success, Dijana is the favourite.
“I’m physically and mentally prepared for this year’s Comrades,” Dijana told the club’s official website.
“My focus has been on staying consistent and injury-free, and I’m feeling strong,” he added.
The women’s team for this year’s race includes Jenna Challenor (South African), Landie Greyling, Alexandra Morozova and Dominika Stelmach (Poland).
They will be challenging the defending champion, Gerda Steyn (South Africa), formerly of the Nedbank club.
Stelmach, boasting a second place finish in 2022 and multiple gold medals, is the main contender.
The world-famous race was run for the first time in 1921.
