On Sunday, 4 June, local KwaZulu-Natal resident Bongmusa Mthembu added the ‘up’ run title to his Comrades collection.
On Sunday, 4 June, local KwaZulu-Natal resident Bongmusa Mthembu (Arthur Ford) added the ‘up’ run title to his Comrades collection covering the 86.73 kilometre route in 5:35:34.
He ran an incredibly consistent race, but despite his strong pace throughout, Mthembu was unable to beat the ‘up’ run record of 5:24:49, which was set in 2008 by Russian Leonid Shvetsov. Mthembu ended third in last year’s down run.
He was followed home by Hatiwande Nyamande from Zimbabwe (5:38.48) and previous winner Gift Kelehe, also from South Africa (5:41.48).
35-year-old American Camille Herron (Nedbank) won the women’s title in a time of 6:27:35, after leading almost the entire route.
She was followed home by Russia’s Alexandra Morozova in second (6:31:45), while SA’s Charne Bosman (also of Nedbank) came third in 6:39:51.
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Bosman won her first Comrades last year, but didn’t have the best race-day experience. ‘I’m happy with my performance. I almost pulled out at 20km, I was struggling with groin pain. The supporters helped so much!’
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