It marks a welcome return for the race dubbed as the ultimate human race and the world’s most recognized and competitive ultra-marathon. Mothibi returns to the classic as race favorite, and not only is he returning, but will be accompanied by a host of Nedbank running club teammates looking for glory. 

After a very successful training camp under the watchful eyes of coach Dave Adams, Mothibi has had an interruption free training block together with teammates Dan Moselakwe, Johannes Makgetla, Joseph Manyedi, Tete Dijana and Galaletsang Mekgoe. Manyedi was 5th in the last Comrades Marathon and will be looking at stepping up to the podium this year. The former Om Die Dam 50km winner is in great shape and looks set for a good run. Novices Moselakwe, Dijana and Mekgoe are dark horses and ones to watch. 

Dijana finished 2nd this year in the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km in Gqeberha and comes into Comrades with no race experience, but some of the best training partners and guidance with him. So too does Moselakwe. With 2 top 10 finishes at the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km to his name, it’s his 2:13 marathon best from the Cape Town Marathon that makes Moselakwe one of the fastest runners in the field. Mekgoe makes her debut this year and will be looking for a top 10 finish and obtain a coveted gold medal. With a 3:30 50km personal best, Mekgoe has trained hard and smart.

Mothibi returns as a much faster marathon runner having run 2:13 in the Cape Town Marathon. When he emerged victorious on the last Comrades Marathon run, Mothibi was 4 minutes slower over the marathon and should it be a fast race, Mothibi has the speed and the endurance to match. When asked if a record is possible, coach Adams does not give away too many secrets. “We are prepared for the race and will run it smartly,” says Adams. “If the race ends up being fast up front, we are prepared for that.”

Also returning are former Comrades winners Ludwick Mamabolo and Claude Moshiywa. The 2012 and 2013 winners may both have a 40 age category tags on their green Nedbank Nike vests, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they are past their prime. Both runners have had impressive buildups to this year’s Comrades with Mamabolo consistently turning out sub 2:25 marathons and knows exactly how to race the Comrades Marathon. “In Comrades age is nothing but a number,” says Mamabolo. The oldest athlete to ever achieve a top 10 finish at Comrades belongs to Vladimir Kotov who at 50, finished in the top 10 back in 2008. He is also the oldest ever winner when he won at 46. 

Other interesting athletes returning include for Comrades gold medalists Mike Fokoroni, Peter Muthubi and Monyele Monyele whilst Nedbank running club Lesotho’s Mabhutile Lebopo looks to finish his first Comrades Marathon. The former Two Oceans Marathon winner has had a good year with a top 5 finish in this years Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km. 

Joining Mekgoe in the women’s race are returning gold medallists Dominika Stelmach and Kwa Zulu Natal favorite Fikile Mbuthuma alongside Cecilia Nel, with Charlene Archer and Rolandi Schutte who will be making their Comrades Marathon debuts. Stelmach is a pedigreed ultra-runner who obtained gold in her debut Comrades whilst Mbuthuma is certainly at home on the down run, in which she has a Comrades gold medal to her name. 

Former Comrades Marathon winner and Nedbank running club National team manager Nick Bester is happy with the team descending to KZN. “Besides having the defending champion in the form of Edward, we have a strong team with a good mixture of former winners, gold medalists and some exciting novices,” said Bester. “Edward and his training partners had a very successful training camp which we hosted, and I am confident that they will be rewarded for the hard work that they put in.” 

The 2022 Comrades Marathon is a down run which takes place on Sunday 28 August, with the event starting in Pietermaritzburg and finishing at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban. The race will be broadcast live on SuperSport. Stay tuned to our Nedbank running club social media pages for profiles on our athletes