Picture: The 2022 Comrades Marathon winner, Tete Dijana aims high/Supplied
By VUSI and KABELO SELEBOGO
The winner of the 2022 Comrades Marathon, Tete Dijana, is finalising his preparations for the 2023 edition of the gruelling Comrades Ultra-marathon competition, where he will hopefully defend his title.
The event will take place on June 11 and will be broadcast live on national and international channels. Joining Dijana, will be other 147 contestants from the North West province, who will be supported by the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation.
North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Kenetswe Mosenogi said: “Also in the department’s contingent, is the family of Dijana. We have organised all the logistical needs of the 147 athletes, who do not have sponsorship from the private sector.
“We hope that this will give the province an edge when it comes to occupying the top positions in the race. Even if many do not make it into the Top 10 or Top 20, the glory of participating in such an important global competition is the dream of any long-distance runner.”
Mosenogi further said, the success and participation of the North West runners at such prestigious events should inspire young athletes from the province that is largely rural. She added that, the North West athletes have, over the years, turned the comrades marathon competition into their favourite stomping ground.
“On the official Comrades Marathon website, no less than eight North West runners are listed as runners to watch in the 87.7 km downward race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. In the men category, we have Tete Dijana (Mahikeng), Edward Mothibi (Mahikeng), Dan Matshailwe (Rustenburg), Joseph Manyedi (Taung), Onalenna Khonkhobe (Taung) and Gordon Lesetedi (Taung).
“In the women category, we have Adele Broodryk (Potchefstroom) and Rustenburg’s Galaletsang Mekgoe. North West has contributed to South Africa in recent years. Mothibi won the 2019 Comrades Marathon and he was the runner-up in the same competition in 2022,” she said.
Mosenogi said Khonkhobe made a name for himself as the 2022 Comrades Marathon pace setter and became Dijana’s runner-up in the 2023 Nedbank Runified. She said, Khonkhobe also scooped the second spot in the 2022 N12 Ultra Marathon.
“Stephen Mokoka, also from Mahikeng, previously broke the 50km world record in Gqeberha. He is also a three-time Olympian, three-time national record holder, and an African championship gold medallist,” concluded Mosenogi.
The Guardian 