Nedbank Running Club Bring their A-Team to Comrades Marathon

The Nedbank Running Club is poised for greatness heading into this year’s Comrades Marathon down run. With five champions and many gold medalists in the team, they are ready to paint the finish line green!
The men's contingent is possibly the strongest in the field. Defending champion and record holder Tete Dijane, and 2024 up run winner Piet Wiersma, will both be vying for glory on race day.  Though they are team mates, they will be competitors come race day, with no holes barred as they both attempt to win - Piet to win both the up and down titles, and Tete to defend his title.

We asked Piet to reflect on his last down run and his feelings about taking second place: “Tete was the better runner on the day. I could have gone earlier, but I didn’t, and that is racing.” Reflecting on his win from last year, Piet explained how it changed his life and how winning the race gave him the freedom to live and train as a runner.  “Winning the race allowed me to live as a runner, Comrades changed my life.”

Defending down run champion Tete Dijana has a massive weight on his shoulders and he will be marked from the start gun, but he is prepared for the pressure that comes with this.  “I’m physically and mentally prepared for this year’s Comrades,” said Dijana.  “My focus has been on staying consistent and injury-free, and I’m feeling strong.”

“It comes with a lot of pressure, but it's about how you handle the pressure from your opponents,” he explained.  “For me, I won't put pressure on myself.  I do what I have to do and run what I have to - I don't allow the pressure to get to me.”

There is a big possibility that Nedank 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 of the iconic ultra.  

Edward, who famously won the race in 2019, is hungry for another big performance - this time on the down run, where he already boasts an impressive résumé with a second and third place finish.

"I'm feeling confident this year. The training has gone well and I am looking forward to getting onto the podium," Mothibi said, his calm confidence a hallmark of his elite racing career.  Known for his strength and focus on the more punishing climbs of the up run, Mothibi has shown that he’s equally dangerous when gravity is on his side.  With two podiums already on the down run, many expect him to be one of the top contenders in this year’s showdown.

The women’s team for this year’s race is also incredibly strong and includes Dominika Stelmach, Alexandra Morozova, Jenna Challenor and Landie Greyling.  The women are not only aiming for the podium, but for the seven other gold medals up for grabs.

Dominika Stelmach is poised to make a significant impact at the 2025 Comrades Marathon. With a history of strong performances, including a second place finish in 2022 and multiple gold medals, Stelmach's experience on both the up and down runs, positions her as a formidable contender.

As she prepares for the 2025 down run, Stelmach remains focused on her goal.  "I would like to win Comrades - like most of the top contenders - it is my dream.  Finishing in the top three would be incredible, and I will do everything I can to achieve this."

Stelmach is not only a seasoned international athlete but also a proud ambassador for the Nedbank Running Club.  As one of the club’s elite international members, she brings valuable global experience to the team.  Her discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship make her a role model for younger athletes and a key figure in the club’s success on the ultra-distance stage.

Landie Greyling, who made a name for herself on the global trail running scene, is no stranger to long distances, but Comrades presents a unique new challenge.  “It’s a down run and a completely different race,” she said.  “It’s my first time running a down Comrades - I’ve got the experience of the up run, but that’s about it.  So it’s a complete gamble, but it’s something that at this stage of my career I can take, and I’m really excited to see what I can do.”

The team is poised for an incredible race, and while anything can happen on race day, the depth of the team means we are sure to see many exciting performances

Full Nedbank Elite Running Team

Males

Piet Wiersma - 2025 Zurich Sevilla Marathon - 2:21:19 (Comrades winner)
Tete Morena Dijana - Part of Profesional/Elite Team Prize/2024 Soweto Marathon - 2:22:32 (Comrades winner)
Edward Mothibi - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize/2024 Soweto Marathon- 2:27:00 (Comrades winner)
Degefa Lafebo - 2024 Comrades top 10
Johannes Makgetla - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize/2024 Soweto Marathon-2:27 (Comrades top 10)
Alex Milne - 2025 TCS London Marathon - 2:14:03 (2024 Comrades top 10)
Sithembiso Mqhele - 2025 Two Oceans 56km - 3:13:41
Ryan Root - 2025 Mad City 50km Road Championship (USA) - 2:53:55
Lyno Muchena - 2025 Old Mutual Harare Marathon - 2:26:52
Lucky Mohale - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize /2025 Two Oceans 56km - 3:11:27
George Kusche - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize / 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon - 2:20:12
Sinethemba Tshangase - 2025 Balwin Sport Peninsula Marathon - 2:20:25
Nikolay Volkov - 2025 Russian Marathon Championships, Kazan - 2:21:16
Prosper Mutwira - 2025 Old Mutual Harare Marathon - 2:21:05
Lebogang Khonkhobe - 2025 Om die Dam 50km - 2:55:10
Mike Fokoroni - FNB Kazungula Bridge Marathon - 2:27:32
Riaan van Zyl - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize / 2024 BMW Berlin Marathon - 2:34:27
Claude Moshiywa - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize (Comrades winner)
Wayne Spies - 2024 Sydney Marathon - 2:29:37
Solice Makgetlaneng - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize
Onalenna Khonkobe - 2024 Soweto Marathon - 2:18:36

Females

Aleksandra Morozova - 2025 Buriram Marathon, Buri Ram - 2:44:17 (2024 Comrades top 10)
Caitriona Jennings - 2025 Donadea 50k Race (IRL) 50km - 3:16:33 (2024 Comrades top 10)
Dominika Stelmach - 2025 Tokyo Marathon (JPN) - 2:43:06 (2024 Comrades top 10)
Dikeledi Majara - 2025 N12 Ultra 50 km Marathon Klerksdorp - 3:12:36
Landie Greyling - 2025 Peninsula Marathon - 2:55:01/National Trail athlete
Jenna Challenor - 2025 Peninsula Marathon - 2:51:24 (Comrades top 10)
Melissah Gibson - 2025 Sevilla Marathon (ESP) - 2:38:32
Petra Pastorovà - 2025 Roma Marathon (ITA) - 2:43:24 (Comrades top 10)
Naomi Mitchell - 2024 Maratón Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich - 2:37:18
Msawenkosi Nsibande - 2025 Durban International Marathon - 2:55:31
Galaletsang Mekgoe - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize/2024 Soweto Marathon - 3:00:52 (Comrades top 10)
Arouchelle Rheeder - 2025 Lemo Mall Marathon in Bloemfontein - 2:59:21
Jeannie Henderson - 2025 Buffs Marathon - 2:58:37
Maretha Smit - 2025 BMW Berlin Marathon, Berlin - 2:50:29
Fikile Mbuthuma - 2024 Richards Bay Marathon time - 3:03/National Athlete
Chrizell Roberts - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize
Slindile Chili - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize
Stella Marais - Part of Professional/Elite Team Prize / National Athlete

Nedbank Running Club put in team effort: Elite Coaching and Training Camps Fueling Comrades Marathon 2025 Success

As the 2025 Comrades Marathon approaches, the Nedbank Running Club's elite athletes are primed for success, thanks to the dedicated efforts of their coaches and the strategic implementation of training camps. These initiatives have been instrumental in preparing runners for the grueling ultramarathon.

Coach Profiles

Nick Bester
A former Comrades Marathon champion, Nick Bester organizing, managing, and arranging all the training camps and advice coaches around the globe and by so brings invaluable experience to the Nedbank Running Club. His holistic coaching approach has been pivotal in mentoring athletes like Dominika Stelmach and George Kusche, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of the Comrades Marathon.

Mthandeni Nene
 Operating in the Drakensberg region near Underberg, Mthandeni Nene has cultivated a strong training group, including athletes such as Sethembezi Changasi and Mikele, who secured a top-ten finish at the Two Oceans Marathon. His focus on endurance and hill training has been crucial for athletes tackling the Comrades' demanding terrain.

Pio Mpolokeng
 Based in Klerksdorp, Pio Mpolokeng has developed a formidable training camp, guiding athletes like Lucky Mohale, who placed third at the Two Oceans Marathon, and Onalenna Khonkhobe, the 2024 Two Oceans champion. His emphasis on speed and strength training has prepared his athletes for competitive performances.

Mokhati
 In the Free State, Coach Mokhati has been instrumental in preparing Dikele Majara, who achieved a fifth-place finish at the Two Oceans Marathon. His tailored training programs focus on building stamina and resilience, essential qualities for Comrades success.

Dave Adams
 Renowned for coaching Tete Dijana, the 2022 and 2023 Comrades Marathon winner, Dave Adams emphasizes strategic pacing and mental fortitude. His guidance has been key in transforming athletes into top contenders.

Ernie Gruhn
 Collaborating with Landie Greyling, Ernie Gruhn has provided specialized training that combines technical trail running skills with endurance, enhancing Greyling's performance in ultramarathon events.

Mike Fokoroni
 As the chairman and coach in Zimbabwe, Mike Fokoroni has nurtured talents like Prosper Mutivare and Leino Machina. His comprehensive training regimes have been vital in preparing Zimbabwean athletes for international competition.

Belay Hagos
 Leading the Nedbank Running Club in Ethiopia, Belay Hagos has coached elite athletes including Degefa, who secured third place at the previous Comrades Marathon. His programs focus on high-altitude training and endurance, contributing to the athletes' competitive edge.

Dullstroom Training Camp: A Endure. Rise. Conquer.

The recent training camp in Dullstroom served as a pivotal preparation ground for Nedbank's elite runners. Situated at high altitude, Dullstroom offers an ideal environment for building aerobic capacity and endurance. Athletes such as Tete Dijana, Edward Mothibi, and Dominika Stelmach participated in intensive training sessions focusing on long-distance runs, hill workouts, and recovery strategies.

These camps are more than just physical preparation; they foster team cohesion and mental resilience. By training together, athletes share strategies, motivate each other, and build a supportive community, all of which are crucial for the psychological demands of ultramarathon running.

The structured environment allows for personalized coaching, nutritional planning, and performance monitoring, ensuring that each athlete can optimize their training. The success of previous Comrades champions who have utilized such camps underscores their importance in the journey to the podium.

With a robust coaching team and strategic training camps, the Nedbank Running Club continues to set the standard in ultramarathon preparation, positioning their athletes for continued success at the Comrades Marathon.

COMRADES MARATHON 2025 DRUMMOND HALFWAY SUPPORT POINT & FINISH MARQUEE INFORMATION FOR ALL NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB ATHLETES.

Exciting news for all our Club Members that is running Comrades Marathon 2025, we will have a general support point BEFORE your half way THIRSTI WATER POINT at Drummond this year.  We will have Nedbank Running Club support members in their Nedbank Running Club tops under a THIRSTI gazebo with NMI to assist you to collect your zip lock bag that you handed in on Saturday.

Drop off of your clearly marked zip lock bag (NO TOGBAGS OR BIG BAGS WILL BE ACCEPTED) on Saturday 07 June between 9am and 12H00 at the THIRSTI Sport stand at the Comrades EXPO, there will be no one after 12H00 to accept anything. 

Please note that you need to put your ie drinks/gels/eats/Shoes in a clearly marked ZIP LOCK BAG ONLY with your Name & Surname written on it or on a paper inside the bag for us to accept it.  You will need to come to our THIRSTI gazebo AT Drummond after the THIRSTI Water point to get your marked zip lock bag as we will not be able to hand you your bag to you due to the number of athletes on the road. 

We do not take any responsibility for any zip lock bags that is not collected at the point as these items will be discarded afterwards.

Link to Drummond half way point https://maps.app.goo.gl/AL8dvJSg5yMJQMEJ9?g_st=am

And now more good news! The Nedbank RC Hospitality marque.

Join us at our Nedbank Running Club marquee at Peoples Park Comrades finish, we will be the first marquee just before the finish line on the left as you come in.  See below Tier 1 marked in pink as marked on the Comrades finish area map . Once you have finished your race, make your way to our marquee for a well-deserved massage, food and drinks as well as products from our loyal sponsors Biogen, Futurelife & Thirsti Water.  You will receive vouchers to get your food and drinks as well.  Family members are welcome but please note that they can only join you in the marquee are once you finished your race and come to the marquee as we have limited space available for everyone and cannot allow anyone inside until the athletes arrive.

To show our loyalty to our sponsors Nedbank and Nike we ask you to wear the approved Nedbank/ NIKE Green Vest/Crop top/T-Shirt as well as shorts ,tights etc.

Black shorts or tights is not Nedbank Running Club approved gear and not registered at ASA as our Club kit!

Medi-Aktiv inflatable compression boots will also be at the Nedbank Running Club Hospitality Gazebo for athletes to test out and recover after the Comrades Marathon

Give your body the break it deserves with Medi-Aktiv inflatable compression boots ensuring proper effective recovery.

About the Medi-Aktiv inflatable compression boots:

The Medi-Aktiv inflatable compression boots aid in boosting, repairing, and restoring circulation to one’s limbs while removing toxins and inflammation from the body. Oxygen is the major factor and component in recovery and life and by using the Media-Active compression boots your muscles get flooded with Oxygen and by so doing recovery took place at a much quicker rate.

HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR SEEDING?

As we continue the countdown to the 98^th edition of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday 8 June, you need to get yourself ready to take on the Ultimate Human Race. Therefore, you need to know where you’ll be lining up at the Start, so you need to head over the Comrades Marathon website and check which Start Group and which seeding batch you’re in. The allocations were done according to your qualifying time, and you’ll either be Group 1, with Batches A to J, which will start at 5:45am, or Group 2, with Batches K to S, which will start 15 minutes later at 6:00am.

Remember, with well over 22,000 qualified runners expected on the Start line, this will be the largest ever Comrades Marathon Down Run in history. Therefore, to ensure manageable movement and enhanced safety at the Start venue, as well as in the opening kilometres of the race when light conditions will be lower, the Start has been split into two groups.

To check your seeding for the Start of the race, click the button below to go the Comrades Marathon website, and search for your name in the entry list.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK SEEDING

QUICK GUIDE TO DROP & GO

If you’re planning to be dropped at the start in Pietermaritzburg by family or friends, then take note of the drop and go arrangements. The Start is in Chief Albert Luthuli Street and the whole start precinct will be closed to traffic. There will be two drop and go zones, parallel to the Start and on either side of the Start area, in Boshoff Street to the north and in Princess, Bank & Timber Streets to the south. The drop zones are just a short walk to the Start, with various tog bag drop points in Pietermaritz Street and Church Street, and banks of portaloos throughout the race precinct.

Runner in Start Group 1 are urged to use the Church Street entrance gates into the start precinct, then make their way to their allocated seeding batches, while runners in Group 2 are urged to use the entrances in Pietermaritz Street, as well as from the back of the start from Hoosen Haffejee Street (into Chief Labert Luthuli Street).

All runners should take note that it is your responsibility to be in your starting batch by 5:30am, irrespective of your start group and time. The access points to the Start batches will close 15 minutes before the start, and any participant who arrives at the Start after that will need to line up behind the last Start batch of their start group. No climbing over fences or barricades will be tolerated, for safety reasons, and any runner spotted doing this will be penalised by the referees.

The best advice is get there early, find your start group and get into your seeding batch as quickly as you can. There will be a lot of cars and buses heading towards the start precinct, so check out our handy start map and make your start plans.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MAP WITH PARK & GO LOCATIONS

BOOK YOUR BUS TICKET TODAY

Runners are invited to use our official shuttle service bus transportation before the race to get from Durban to the Start in Pietermaritzburg, and/or after the race, to get from the Finish in Durban back to Pietermaritzburg. Tickets can be bought online, or you can purchase your ticket from the Bus Ticket Stand at the Comrades Expo in Durban, or at Comrades Marathon House in Pietermaritzburg during the registration period. A single (one-way) ticket will cost R160, and a return ticket (both ways) sells for R300.

Getting to the Start:

The busses from Durban to Pietermaritzburg will begin departure at 1am, and the final bus will depart at 3am, leaving from two different points, which you will choose when you buy your ticket.

Outside the Hilton Hotel on Walnut Road
Behind the Elangeni Hotel on Playfair Road

Please arrive timeously on the morning of the race to allow for a smooth check in process. It’s important to note that if you arrive after 3am, you will unfortunately not be accommodated.

Getting From the Finish:

The buses back to Pietermaritzburg will be located in the Media Compound parking area inside Moses Mabhida Stadium, close to the finish venue, and will be clearly marked. These buses will begin departing the venue from 10am, and the last bus will depart at 8pm.

Important Reminders

Please arrive timeously on race morning. Unfortunately, any late arrivals after 3am cannot be accommodated.

If you purchase your tickets online before Registration, you must exchange them for an official wristband at the Bus Ticket Stand during Registration.

No tickets will be sold on race day, so be sure to secure yours in advance!

Remember, tickets can be purchased at Registration in Durban or Pietermaritzburg, but we urge runners to rather book online today, for the peace of mind knowing that one more thing is sorted out.

BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE!

CATERING FOR OUR INCREDIBLE SPECTATORS

We know that the energy and support from our spectators are a massive part of what makes the Comrades Marathon so special. While there are countless spots along the route where you can cheer on the runners, we've made it even easier for you to be a part of the action with three awesome official Spectator Points! These locations are designed to give you the best viewing experience.

Here's where you can join in the excitement:

1. Spectators point 1: Doornug Road area in Cato Ridge: gps pin location
2. Spectators point 2: Amazondi Store in Inchanga: gps pin location
3. Spectators point 3: Drummond area – close to the railway area, before the halfway activation: gps pin location 

CONVENIENT FACILITIES FOR SPECTATORS

To make your day even more comfortable, we're providing 300 portable toilets along the route, strategically placed for easy access at Hillcrest, Drummond, Amazondi Store, Inchanga Caravan Park, Camperdown, Umlaas Road, and Ashburton.

You'll also be pleased to hear that there's ample parking space available at all three of our official spectator points mentioned above. So, gather your friends and family, pack your cheers, and get ready to be part of the Comrades Marathon magic!

PARKING AT THE FINISH

The finish at People’s Park in Durban lies close to a number of parking areas that will be used on race day for the event:

• People’s Park East grass fields; free spectator/runner parking.
• Old Durban Drive-In; free spectator/runner parking.
• Sharks Kings Park outer rugby fields ((KP 3,4,9 & 10); free spectator/runner parking.
• Suncoast Casino; paid parking, controlled by Suncoast Casino.
• Centrum Parkade; Free Parking

There will be signage at the finish venue to help you find your way to the parking areas, and a ride shuttle service will be provided free of charge for runners and spectators, to transport passengers quickly and safely from outside Moses Mabhida Stadium to the various parking areas.

We are excited to announce that we partnered with DOTWATCH.

Now you don’t have to worry where your family members or friends is on the route while doing a running or cycling event.

You will know exactly how they are progressing and when they can expect at the finish line.

Dotwatch, a new tracking App which allows friends and family to follow athletes on a GPX route file during races. The app also enables them to send messages, photos, and short videos to their followers while they are participating in the event.

Just click on the links below.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bisnetis.dotwatch 

Rest in Peace David Manja