Hollywood Athletics Club has significantly boosted its elite contingent ahead of the upcoming Comrades Marathon season with the high-profile signings of Comrades Marathon champions Tete Dijana and Edward Mothibi, who will now compete in the club’s iconic purple and yellow colours.
Dijana, a three-time Comrades Marathon winner, and Mothibi, a former Comrades champion who form part of a training group nicknamed the “Happy Bunch” from Rustenburg, further cement Hollywood Athletics Club’s status as a powerhouse in ultra-distance running. Their arrival adds even more depth to a formidable squad that already includes multiple Comrades Marathon ladies’ champion Gerda Steyn.
The duo will also be joined by Comrades Marathon gold medallist Johannes Makgetla and rising ultra-distance star Ruben Mosiane, creating one of the strongest elite line-ups the club has assembled to date. All athletes are coached by Dave Adams, whose proven, methodical approach has delivered repeated success at the Comrades Marathon.
Speaking about the move, Tete Dijana expressed his excitement about the new chapter.
“Joining Hollywood Athletics Club is a big step for me. The environment, the support structure, and the vision of the club really stood out. Being part of a team that values both winning and long-term development motivates me to keep pushing my limits at Comrades.”
Edward Mothibi echoed those sentiments, highlighting the sense of unity and purpose within the team.
“Hollywood Athletics Club feels like the right home for this stage of my career. There’s a strong culture, a winning mindset, and genuine care for athletes. Running in the purple and yellow is an honour, and I’m excited to contribute my experience while also helping guide the younger runners coming through.”
In addition to the established stars, Hollywood Athletics Club has also secured two surprise signings from the Happy Bunch—athletes widely regarded as future Comrades contenders. While runners like Dijana, Mothibi, and Makgetla continue to perform at the highest level, the strategic move places strong emphasis on talent development and succession, ensuring that the next generation is nurtured to carry the baton forward.
Coach Dave Adams remains central to this vision, having built a reputation for preparing athletes to peak on race day, particularly at the Comrades Marathon, where experience, discipline, and strategy are paramount.
Hollywood Athletics Club elite team manager Manfred Seidler was thrilled at the announcement of the new athletes.
“It’s very exciting to see how the club has grown from an elite point of view over and above our social runners and the addition of the happy bunch to the purple stars is really great and not only that we have these superstars in our stable, there is a longer vision of nurturing the next generation through coach David Adams as well as Tete and Edward.”
With proven champions, exciting emerging talent, and a clear long-term plan, Hollywood Athletics Club’s “Purple Stars” look set to play a major role at the front of the Comrades Marathon for years to come.
