Comrades Race Kicks Off This Weekend

There is no clear favorite in the men’s field.

The women’s race at this weekend’s Comrades Marathon in South Africa is pretty much a lock for a pair of Russian twins: Elena or Olesya Nurgalieva. The duo has dominated South Africa’s ultra scene for the past five years.

Elena won last year’s Comrades, a grueling 89K ultra, in 6:13:04, just a second ahead of her sister.

The men’s race is a whole different story; it’s wide open.

Stephen Muzhingi of Zimbabwe is hoping to secure his third title. However, Ludwick Mamabolo of South Africa, second-place finisher last year, may to a stop to that.

“The weather is perfect in Durban and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will still be good on Sunday,” Mamabolo said. “I have completed my training and am looking forward to becoming the first South African winner since Sipho Ngomane in 2005.”

Bongmusa Mthembu, also from South Africa, is someone to watch. He finished fourth last year, but was given third place after Sergio Motsoeneng was disqualified for cheating.

For More: The Sowetan