MR.PRICE
The Mr.Price team boasts a number of runners with impressive Comrades pedigrees that qualifies them as potential winners and possible top ten finishers for the 2010 race. Bongmusa Mthembu 7th in 2009 and Charles Tjiane 3rd in 2009 are on the top of the list. Bongmusa Mthembu has had a relatively quiet year, coming 2nd in the Nongoma Marathon and winning various distance races in KZN while Charles Tjiane showed dramatic improvement over the last two years: after finishing 38th in the 2008 Comrades Marathon he came 3rd in 2009. He also finished 13th in the 2010 Two Oceans Marathon and 13th in the Om Die Dam Marathon.
Other consistent performers over recent years include Fusi Nhlapo, who in his last eight Comrades Marathons finished in the top 10 bracket. Other contenders include Sipho Ngomane, winner of the 2005 Comrades Marathon, Mncedisi Mkhize, a top 10 regular in the last 4 Comrades Marathons as well as Frans Khangela Chauke, Marko Mambo and Prodigal Khumalo who are also potential podium candidates.
The main contenders in the women’s category have to be the Nurgalieva twins from Russia. Elena, winner of the 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008 Comrades Marathons has prepared for this Comrades Marathon by finishing second in the 2010 Two Oceans Marathon. Her sister, winner of the 2009 Comrades Marathon, Olesya, won the Two Oceans Marathon this year. These two have dominated the Comrades Marathon in the last decade and it is not expected to be different this year. Anna Pichtrova, winner of the World Mountain Running Championship in the past three years and Riana van Niekerk, winner of the 2010 Loskop Marathon, will be hoping to break the stronghold of the Russian twins.
NEDBANK
The Nedbank team includes a number of potential top ten finishers in Lucas Nonyana, Harmans Mokgadi, Peter Molapo, Josiah Thugwane and Frans Kutu. While they are relatively new to the Comrades scene they are all eager to make their mark in the 2010 Comrades. Nedbank has a very strong women’s contingent with Adinda Kruger, Berdine Smit, Kashmira Parbhoo and Lesley Train all strong contenders for a top ten finish. By all accounts this team should be able to bring the women’s team prize to the Nedbank stable. Pietermaritzburg based Kerry Koen who has finished in 11th place in 2009 will carry the flag for KwaZulu-Natal in the women’s race. Irina Vishneyskaya (Russia) is an excellent runner with a proven marathon track record and could be the surprise package on the day.
BONITAS
Bonitas Running Club which is in its 3rd year of existence has secured the talents of Belinda Waghorn, Gold Medal winner 2009. Since then she has performed consistently and has victories over various distances to her name. Farwa Mentoor, a legend of South African women’s road running seems to perform at the highest level year in and year out. She is an established Comrades Marathon runner and an athlete who consistently finishes in the top ten.
The top men’s contenders from Bonitas include Simon Peu a first class runner who cruised his way to victory in the 2008 Pick ‘n Pay Marathon. He also surprised all punters when he came 3rd in the 2008 Two Oceans Marathon. This year he is ready to challenge for higher honours in the Comrades Marathon. Bethuel Netshefefhe is another top challenger from Bonitas who is tipped to finish strongly in 2010. He finished 9th in the 2009 Comrades Marathon after having won the Two Oceans Marathon back in 2007. It is the same drive and motivation that has seen him represent South Africa at the World Half Marathon Championships in Mexico and the 2007 Marathon Championships in Japan. Brian Zondi, runner up in the 2006 Comrades Marathon has indicated his intention win the “ridiculous mind activator” (Comrades Marathon) in 2010. Since his near-win in 2006 he has not performed to his true potential in subsequent races and has promised the South African public a much improved performance in the celebratory 2010 race.
FORMULA 1 BLUFF MEATS AC
The Formula 1 AC holds the trump card in current Comrades Marathon Champion, Stephen Muzhingi. The reigning champion has prepared well for this year’s race with a solid 4th place position at the 2010 Two Oceans Marathon. Collin Makaza, Murzhingi’s pacemaker in 2009 and a 2hr 15 min marathon runner, finished in 11th position at Two Oceans this year and is a good bet for a top 10 placing. At the 2009 race Collin was the first man through Half way. Another signing for Formula 1 is Shingari Badza, a seasoned campaigner with victories in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, could be a rank outsider to watch.
TOYOTA
Team Toyota has come into Comrades with the vision of growing the professional aspect of their team over the next three years. The Toyota team includes a number of previous Comrades gold medalists and includes runners like Andrew Kelehe a former Comrades winner and 10 times gold medalist. He will also feature as part of the Comrades Legends Project in this year’s race alongside other former Comrades winners, to raise money for the Comrades charities.
Other runners that pose a challenge includes Gift Kelehe, the younger brother of Andrew,
White Modisenyane and Dan Leburu who has a strong background in track running with a 10km time of 28.50. Frans Chauke, a former Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon gold medalist has joined the squad with new objectives, better training and a fresh determination to achieve. Fanie Mashipa, a sub 2hr 20 min marathoner has spent many hours in the mountains with coach John Hamlett preparing for the 2010 race and is looking mighty powerful. Other competitors in this team include the likes of Lukas Raseruthe, Joseph Maermann, Drew Fischer and William Mokwalakwala. The lone women’s contender in this elite Toyota group is two times Comrades Marathon gold medalist Lindsay van Aswegen. John Hamlett, one of the most successful Comrades coaches has been appointed by Toyota to train this impressive squad of runners.
Given the array of talented athletes that will line up at the start on Sunday 30 May 2010 pundits have predicted the closest top ten finish ever.
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