South Africa’s Tete Dijana defended his Comrades Marathon title on Sunday, smashing the ‘down’ record in the process. Photo: Supplied/Nedbank Running
WATCH: The moment Tete Dijana crossed the line to claim Comrades crown
Tete Dijana successfully defended his Comrades Marathon crown and won back-to-back down runs on Sunday 11 June.
South Africa’s Tete Dijana defended his Comrades Marathon title on Sunday, smashing the ‘down’ record in the process. Photo: Supplied/Nedbank Running
Tete Dijana successfully defended his Comrades Marathon crown and won back-to-back down runs on Sunday 11 June.
Dijana came home in a new record time of 𝟬𝟱:𝟭𝟰:𝟯𝟬 to massive Cheers at Kingsmead.
WATCH: The moment Tete Dijana crossed the Comrades finish line
Tete Dijana finished the Comrades Marathon in 5:14.01 to successfully defend his title as champion.
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As they raced to the finish line at Kingsmead Stadium, Piet Wiersma was Dijana’s lone rival. Wiersma finished in second place just over the shoulder of Dijana.
Dijana finished the grueling ultramarathon and received a check for R500 000 in addition to winning his second Comrades Marathon championship.
Ayanda Ngcobo had the lead for the majority of the race until Drummond where he ran out gas and stopped and being passed by Jo Fukuda of Japan.
Dijana appeared to would soon take charge and then hold the lead throughout the last phase of the race on course for the record. Fukuda led until Pinetown before fading back into a chasing pack .
Edward Mothibi came in third in 05:17.34 behind Wiersma who finished second in 05:14.08.
Nedbank Running Club dominated the men’s podium with all three top runners coming from the famous team.
Gerda Steyn wins women’s race
Also on Sunday, Gerda Steyn smashed records by winning the Comrades Marathon women’s race maintaining an incredible pace throughout.
Olympian Steyn, who had been in the lead for most of the women’s race, easily set a track record of 5:44.54 to win the R500k on offer for the top lass.
Her win ensures that the Comrades titles will both stay in South Africa. Steyn was followed home by compatriot Adel Broodryk.
