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IOL News
10 hours ago
- Health
- IOL News
Hamlett looking add to his galaxy of Comrades champions
JOHN HAMLETT 's passion for the Comrades Marathon is contagious. Spend time in the former South Africa Defence Colonel's presence and you suddenly find yourself wanting to lace-up for the grueling race between the KwaZulu/Natal cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. A renowned champion-producer who has run the race himself, he specializes in training athletes just to tackle The Ultimate Human Race. It's been a while since he had a runner be the first to breast the finish line tape, but that has not dissuaded him from pushing on – Hamlett yet again taking a sizeable group of runners to the race taking place this weekend. 'We've got a good group Mats, and they are all ready to challenge for honours,' he says of the Pan African Resources Club (PAR) athletes who will line up among the elites at the start of the 98th running of this world famous ultra in front of the Pietermaritzburg City Hall early on Sunday. Leading the charge for glory will no doubt be the highly experienced Gordon Lesetedi, the three-time gold medalist who will be lining up for his 10th race. Out in the high-altitude, quaint small tourist town of Dullstroom which has served as Hamlett's base for cooking up Comrades Marathon champions – Lesetedi is the senior citizen following the retirement of 2015 king Gift Kelehe. And he always leads by example during the long and hard training runs Hamlett gets the athletes doing so they are ready on race day. I visited them a fortnight ago and they all looked lean and ready to hand Hamlett his fifth champion – eager to follow in the footsteps of Kelehe, his older brother Andrew as well as 2016 Down Run winner with a record David Gatebe plus Ann Ashworth. Lesetedi was in particularly high spirits, confident that he would eventually get that podium finish (top three) he has been chasing for years. 'Ke nako,' he tells me as we settle out in the suny backyard of the cozy little house they've called home for six weeks then. 'It might be the 10th race and I know that for a lot of runners the Green Number (given after you've completed the race 10 times) is special. But for me it is just like any other ace and I am going to give it my best. I've generally done well in the Down Run (From Maritzburg to Durban) and I believe I usually get it right.' His dream of the top three is yet to happen because he believes the Comrades Marathon is always dependent on what happens on race day. 'It is a very long race and you can say before the race that you are ready to win or to do well, but then things might go wrong on the day. I am confident I can do well this year because I believe I can break the 5:20 that I ran in 2023 and of course if I get that time, then I will definitely be in the top three. I think a 5:17 will be good enough to put you up there.' Lesetedi is experienced enough to know that the race only begins after the 60km mark and he figured that it is different from the past and unlike then, it is hard to break from the leading bunch early on in the race. Though yet to podium, the man from Sekhing in the North West – the home of the Kelehe brothers who are his role models and inspiration - looks back at his Comrades career with delight because 'my times are always improving with every race'. 'And for now, it is no longer just about the gold, we are going for the podium and the win. I've got the experience and I am coached by a man who knows how to win this thing.' Alongside Lesetedi in the black, gold and white colours of PAR will be a handful of young men with a bright future in ultra-running who have got Hamlett excited that he could produce a champion yet again – if not this year in the near future.. Gift Mokoena has been with Hamlett since after the Covid pandemic and has been gradually improving, so much so that he narrowly missed out on gold last year. 'I was in the top 10 when we got to Polly Shortts but I cramped a little and that's when I lost out on gold,' said the man from Bethlehem of his 13th place finish and he is confident he will do better this time around. He was particularly disappointed at missing out on a target he'd set himself when he got into ultra running: 'My goal was to get my first gold last year for it to coincide with my 40th birthday. But I missed out on that and it was very disappointing. But I am this guy who learns from my mistakes everytime and I now know exactly what to do to get that gold.' Inspired by Andrew Kelehe and 2003 champions Fusi Nhlapo – who was trained by Hamlett until shortly before the race – Mokoena says he has done everything right and is looking forward to making his coach, himself and family proud. Proud Chauke is a confident 31-year-old from Malamulele who wears his heart on his sleeve: 'I always run a race to win, all races. My mentality is always to win the race. According to the races I ran this year and what the coach has been telling me, I am confident that I will do very well this time. The coach has been telling me that I can win Comrades and I believe I can do it. I am going there to compete for a win.' Chauke also derives his confidence from his victory at the Border to Border ultra (between Mozambique and Swaziland) in a good time of 3:54 and even went on to finish second in the Balwin Marthon in Durban. With three Comrades Marathons to his name, Chauke says he owes himself a good race given that the previous ones were ran on injuries and that he also made some rookie mistakes in some of them – once pulling out of the lead bunch thinking they were going too fast and that he would catch them one by one. 'I was not aware that there were no longer hills after that and they left me and I just could not catch them. That was a painful lesson because if I had stuck with them I could have done very well. But I am experienced now and coach has taught me all the tricks and I am ready to run a PB. I have a 5:41 but this time I want a 5:20. It's a time that we believe can give me a podium finish if not a win.' Chauke wants to see the Comrades title going back to Limpopo to end the long drought given that the last time a runner from that province won was back in 2012 when Ludwick Mamabolo reigned supreme. The other athletes in Hamlett's group are Musa Zweni, Vuyo Hagiole as well as the roses among the thorns in Kelebogile Motshabi and Wanda Britz. Will any of them give Hamlett yet a nother win to cement his legacy as a Comrades Champion Coach?
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Chasing dreams: Joseph Manyedi steps up on journey to Comrades Marathon podium
Joseph Manyedi, seen in action at the Two Oceans Marathon, is upbeat about his chances in the 2025 Comrades Marathon. Image: Supplied Maxed Elite Running Club star Joseph Manyedi will be chasing the dream in this year's Comrades Marathon down run on Sunday, hoping to take the giant step onto the podium after finishing fourth in last year's race. The Rustenburg-based road running ace fancies his chances after last year's personal best time of 5:28:33 saw him finish behind race winner Piet Wiersma of the Netherlands (5:25:00), Dan Moselakwe (5:25:45) and Degefa Yohannese Lafebo of Ethiopia (5:27:48). It was his fourth consecutive gold medal in eight races so far, and his best finish in The Ultimate Human Race. The four-time gold medallist, who has been a runner for more than 20 years, joined the Mr Price Sport-backed Maxed Elite Running Club from the Nedbank Running Club earlier this year. 'I feel strong and focused. Training has gone well, and mentally I'm in a good space. I'm excited to give it everything on race day,' Manyedi told Independent Media Sport exclusively. 'Preparations have been intense but structured. We've focused on both volume and quality to peak at the right time. Joseph Mayedi will be hoping to give his Maxed Elite Running Club a rare podium finish at the 2025 Comrades Marathon. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Endurance has been a major focus this year, especially for the down run. But I've also worked hard on sharpening my speed in the final months leading up to the race. 'For the down run, I do more quad-strengthening workouts, long downhill sessions, and pacing control. The up run is more about hill strength and maintaining rhythm.' Manyedi gives a lot of credit to current coach Peter Gaebetse, whom he feels brings 'elite-level structure and experience to my programme'. 'His training has pushed me to a new level, and being guided by someone who understands Comrades inside out has made a huge difference.' The veteran runner showed his humility when asked how confident he is of winning the race, or where he expects the biggest challenge to come from. 'I'm confident in my preparation and experience. I know the course well and believe in my ability to execute a strong race plan. With God's grace, anything is possible,' he said. 'The field is always stacked with top talent and a few rising stars. But I focus more on my own race than my competitors.'
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Durban North resident laces up for debut Comrades Marathon
WITH under six weeks of preparation to go, excitement is building for Aaron Biggar who is taking on his first Comrades Marathon on Sunday, June 8. The 30-year-old qualified for 'The Ultimate Human Race', as the marathon is officially referred to, at last year's Cape Town Marathon. The Durban North resident says his objective for his Comrades debut is to just 'finish and have fun'. 'They say your first one is always your PB (personal best) and my objective is definitely to finish. I don't want to go in there and thrash it out. I want to dance at almost every water station. I want to have a good time. If you've seen me run I'm not someone who keeps quiet, I expel a lot of energy and I plan to do that with the crowd. You won't need to find me on the course, you'll hear me before you see me,' he said. Also read: Comrades Marathon confirms new finish venue, official race distance Biggar, who comes from a sporting background, explained how his journey started. 'I first started off with Park Run. That's where my passion for running came about. That transitioned to being named the captain of Adidas Runners and then me entering the Comrades Marathon. I think the Comrades is the ultimate representation of Durban. I turned 30 this year and some of my family members have run the marathon, that has all led me to enter this year,' he said. Biggar will be supported by his wife and his family along the route and said he will feed off their support along the route. 'I've done a few route testers and I know it is going to be a painful race. However, I'm confident in my training and all the mileage I've covered. I know I will get more energised seeing family members along the route. I need that energy to carry me to the end. With it being a Down Run, I know where all my Durban people will be and I will start to see familiar faces at the point where I need them the most. The other motivation is I will be running home in familiar conditions,' he said. Also read: Comrades Marathon to introduce two race starts While he is yet to complete his first, Biggar has already set his sights on getting his back-to-back Comrades medal and has mentioned 2027 which will be the 100th running of the Comrades Marathon. Fun on the run What is your earliest Comrades memory? 'In terms of memory, it would be watching it on television with my parents. They always watched it. In person it was cheering on runners at 45th Cutting and then with the Adidas Runners group, we had an informal cheer zone where we interacted with and encouraged runners to the point where I said to myself 'I have to be a part of this someday'.' What is the worst thing to shout out to a runner in an ultra-distance marathon? 'It might be 'how are you feeling?' when you're close to the end of a race. You know the person is in pain. Personally I'd much prefer a clap or 'keep it up' or 'keep going'.' What is an essential food item you like to eat on a long distance run? 'This is something I've asked my wife to bring me at the 50km mark. An Afros Chicken meal with strips and chips and lemon and herb sauce. I will probably take a few minutes to eat it and then get going again.' What tips would you offer to long-distance runners? 'One thing I've learnt is that mileage on the legs is important. Especially with these long ultra-marathons, you need to do consistent mileage. Yes you can add up all your short runs and they are beneficial, but nothing prepares you better than doing long distance runs.' Why the Comrades Marathon? 'My grandfather Peter and my uncles have attempted the Comrades so I'm inspired by my family. There is also talk of creating a legacy with my two younger brothers who want to run the Comrades Marathon in the future with me which would be something special.' For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Comrades Marathon confirms LONGER route for 2025 'down' run
Home » Comrades Marathon confirms LONGER route for 2025 'down' run The Comrades Marathon Association has announced the route distance for this year's 98th edition of The Ultimate Human Race. Image: CMA / Supplied The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has officially announced that the route distance for the 98th edition of The Ultimate Human Race is a challenging 89.98km. This year's race will be the 49th Down Run, taking place on Sunday, 8 June, with the race starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishing 12 hours later with a street finish outside Durban's People's Park. The 2025 race will be slightly longer than the 87.701km of the previous Down Run (2023), as the finish has been moved from the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead to a new street finish outside People's Park, in the northbound lanes of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue. This will include a finish-line grandstand for spectators erected in the southbound lanes of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, as well as a hospitality and entertainment area in People's Park, and space allocated for running club tents on either side of the finish. The longest Down Run in the history of the Comrades was 92km in 1971. The new street finish will create a more inclusive and celebratory atmosphere, as more people can gather to cheer on the participants, while also allowing better flow of runners and spectators, reducing congestion, and ensuring a smoother finish experience for all. Runners will not doubt be pleased to know that no steps will need to be climbed after they finish, with a short, flat walk from the finish-line to either the Club Tent hospitality area, or nearby parking areas – and a free shuttle service throughout the day will make getting to cars even easier. This precise distance of the route has been meticulously confirmed following thorough route measurement conducted by the CMA's Route Portfolio team, in close collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport's Road Traffic Inspectorate and the Durban Metro Police. 'The Comrades Marathon Association is incredibly proud to announce the official 89.98km distance for the 2025 Down Run,' said CMA General Manager, Alain Dalais. 'This carefully measured course embodies the spirit and tradition of The Ultimate Human Race, promising an unforgettable test of endurance and resilience for all participants. 'The route from the start will leave the City of Pietermaritzburg via Chief Albert Luthuli Street, turning right onto Alexandra Road and left onto Ritchie Road, which becomes Washington Road, and proceeding through Mkondeni to Polly Shortt's. 'These first 8km of the route are wide, spacious and well lit, thus ensuring safer running conditions for all participants.' 'We are really excited about the new finish venue, because it will provide both runners and spectators with a unique experience and inspirational end to the day's running,' added Dalais. 'The runners will enjoy an easier, smoother finish process, while loved ones and supporters will be right there to welcome their runners in, and the venue will help create a terrific finish-line atmosphere.' Two things drive the 2025 Comrades Marathon organisers: To improve both the runners' safety and race-day experience. With the largest ever field of around 22 000 Down Run starters expected, this prompted the CMA's decision to split the Start into two groups, with a slightly later start time to ensure more light and better visibility in the early kilometres, notably coming down Polly Shortt's. This will see the first group start at 05:45 and the second group setting off at 06:00. The two-batch start will ensure that runners experience similar free, open road running of the races in the 1990s and early 2000s, and the last runners in each start group are expected to cross the start line in under five minutes. Runners' start batch and seeding information will be finalised and shared shortly after the qualifying window for the 2025 race closes on Monday, 5 May. The two start groups will have different coloured race numbers – orange or purple – and there will be two similarly coloured finish chutes in Durban. Both start groups will have the traditional 12 hours to complete the race, and all the normal medal cut-off times at the finish, with volunteer 'spotters' and signage to ensure that runners enter the correct chute and receive the correct medals. A special sound will be played at the finish for the Group 1 race-end at 17:45, and the traditional final cut-off gun will be fired by the CMA Board Chairperson for the Group 2 race-end at 18:00. To further ensure the runners' safety and overall experience towards the end of the 12-hour race, the last 10km of the route will be well lit by both existing streetlights in Durban, as well as a large number of generator-powered mobile floodlight masts provided by the CMA. These will be positioned at darker points of the route from Westwood/45th Cutting to the finish precinct, as well as at all race-day parking areas, and all sidewalks and side streets from the finish to Jacko Jackson Drive (outside Hollywoodbets Kings Park). Furthermore, a large security response team will be in place in all the aforementioned areas until late in the evening of race-day, working with the finish venue security team and the SAPS to ensure the safety and protection of runners and spectators. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Comrades 2025 Down Run race distance confirmed — It's far!
This will be the 98th edition of the famous ultra-marathon. The Comrades in 2025 will be just about 90km long. Picture: Michel Bega / The Citizen Just about 90km! This year's Comrades Marathon is set to be a gruelling 89.98km battle between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, to be run on Sunday 8 June. The Comrades Marathon Association announced the official distance for this year's race early on Thursday morning, saying they are 'incredibly proud' to announce the nearly 90km distance. This year's Down Run will be the 98th edition of the race. It will be the 49th Down Run. Street finish Also, the finish will for the first time in years be a street finish, outside Durban's People's Park. The previous Down Run, in 2023 was 87.70km. The finish this year will be outside People's Park, in the northbound lanes of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue. his will include a finish-line grandstand for spectators erected in the southbound lanes of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, as well as a hospitality and entertainment area in People's Park, and space allocated for running club tents on either side of the finish. The longest Down Run in the history of the Comrades was 92km in 1971. The Comrades Marathon Association said on Thursday, 'The new street finish will create a more inclusive and celebratory atmosphere, as more people can gather to cheer on the participants, while also allowing better flow of runners and spectators, reducing congestion, and ensuring a smoother finish experience for all.' Two start times CMA General Manager, Alain Dalais, added: 'The Comrades Marathon Association is incredibly proud to announce the official 89.98-kilometer distance for the 2025 Down Run. 'This carefully measured course embodies the spirit and tradition of The Ultimate Human Race, promising an unforgettable test of endurance and resilience for all participants.' This year's race will also have two different start times for two different groups – 5.45am and 6am. The two start groups will have different coloured race numbers – orange or purple – and there will be two similarly coloured finish chutes in Durban. Both start groups will have the traditional 12 hours to complete the race. For more information click here.
