Hollywood Athletics Club Elite Men Eye Comrades Up Run Glory

The Hollywood Athletics Club will field a formidable men’s elite team at Sunday’s 99th edition of the Comrades Marathon, with three-time champion Tete Dijana leading the charge as the club looks to make its mark on the iconic 85.777 km Up Run from Durban to HollywoodBets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg.

Dijana heads into this year’s race as one of the favourites after establishing himself as one of the most successful athletes of the modern Comrades era. The Hollywood Athletics Club star has claimed three Comrades Marathon titles in 2022, 2023 and 2025, but all of those victories have come on the Down Run route.

Now, with another chapter of Comrades history set to unfold, Dijana has his sights firmly set on securing his first Up Run crown.

The 37-year-old remains the fastest Comrades Marathon runner in history thanks to his record-breaking performance in 2023 where he redefined what is possible crossing the line in 5:13:58, shattering the Down Run record in a remarkable display of endurance and strength. Having already conquered the race three times, his focus has been centred on mastering the unique demands of the Up Run and adding another win.

In preparation for Sunday’s challenge, Dijana and his Hollywood Athletics Club teammates spent time training together in Dullstroom, and the Happy Bunch as they are known as, say that training has gone well.

“Our preparations have gone very well and the team has worked extremely hard over the past few months,” said Dijana. “We spent valuable time together in Dullstroom focusing specifically on Comrades and the challenges that come with the Up Run. I would really love to add an Up Run title to my achievements. We know the competition will be strong, but I am ready to give my best and fight for the win.”

Dijana is joined by an experienced and talented Hollywood Athletics Club line-up that includes former Comrades Up Run champion Edward Mothibi, who knows exactly what it takes to triumph on the demanding climbs to Pietermaritzburg.

The men’s elite team also features Johannes Makgetla, Lindelani Mjwara, Poloko Maphunye and Tumelo Mogomotsi, creating a squad with a blend of experience, future stars, depth and proven Comrades pedigree. Makgetla is a multiple Comrades Marathon gold medallist and will be looking to add another to the tally whilst local runner Mjwara looks to continue with his improvement at the Ultimate Human race and could well be a star of the future.

Hollywood Athletics Club Elite Team Manager Manfred Seidler believes the team is well prepared to challenge at the front of the race.

“We are excited about the strength of our men’s team heading into this year’s Comrades Marathon. The athletes have enjoyed an excellent preparation and the Dullstroom camp provided an ideal opportunity to focus solely on the race. Tete has already achieved so much in Comrades history, but the opportunity to win his first Up Run title adds another exciting dimension to his race. Having a former Up Run winner like Edward Mothibi in the team also brings valuable experience, and we believe the entire squad is capable of producing strong performances on Sunday.”

With three Comrades titles already to his name, the fastest runner in the history of the race now stands on the brink of another potential milestone. As the roads between Durban and Pietermaritzburg prepare to welcome thousands of runners as well as plenty Hollywood Athletics Club members, the Hollywood Athletics Club’s men’s elite team will be aiming to paint the route purple and add their names to the story of the Ultimate Human Race at the front of the race.