With a number of elite men skipping this year’s Comrades Marathon to come back next year with a faster standard marathon time in their legs, this year’s Hollywood Athletics Club elite men’s team is not as strong as their female counterparts, however, it still has a blend of strong runners looking to make a name for themselves in the Ultimate Human Race.
Seme Hunting Gold
Sitting at the head of the table is Sikhumbuzo Seme. Coached by his father, Michael Seme who guided Caster Semenya to World and Olympic titles over the 800m distance, Seme has taken to ultras with brilliance, but gold is the medal he desperately wants.
Running his first Comrades in 2023, Seme ran a time of 5:30:05, a time good enough for a podium finish and even close to a win under most circumstances, however on the day, it was only good enough for 11th position, one place outside the golds and only a scant 16 seconds away from 10th. “I was really happy with the way my first run went but turning the final corner and seeing the last gold medal right there but out of my reach was a bitter pill to swallow,” recalls Seme.
Returning to the up run last year, Seme again ran a credible 5:44:19, again a time good enough for gold on every previous up run but on the day was only good enough for 17th. “I think the mistake I made was that I let the guys go early and I had to come from behind. This year depending on the pace, I want to run with the lead bunch and see my chances on the day.”
Mjwara Looking Forward to First Down Run
Newly minted Hollywood Athletics Club elite athlete Lindelani Mjwara recently moved up the ranks, graduating from the Sub-Elite programme of the club to join the big boys, and is looking forward to his first down run after running the up run for the first time last year. The youngster who hails from KwaZulu-Natal and is coached by former Comrades Marathon gold medalist Prodigal Khumalo is using this year’s event as a learning curve.
In last year’s race, Mjwara went out hard, running in third spot until 30km to go, before eventually finishing 53rd in 6:03:56. This year Mjwara would like to start off a little slower to have something left for the finish. “I am still learning but I saw from Comrades last year and also Two Oceans this year where I started fast, that you must respect the distance and that it is a long way.”
Plenty Looking to Run Sub-6
Also moving up to the ultras for the first time will be Mfundo Chagwe, the younger brother of Thobani who the past two years has clocked sub-six-hour performances. Both will be out in action on the day. Perfect Dlamini, Owen Tshibo, Mholi Jali and Ross Barnard all come into this year’s Comrades Marathon with sub 2:30 marathon performances and will be looking to dip under the magical six-hour barrier.
