Comrades 2010 will most likely be one of the most memorable runs in years to come. With the World Cup kick-off only a week after the Comrades Marathon and close to 23 000 entries for this ultimate human race, Comrades 2010 is going to be a year to remember. Many elite athletes have their hearts set on a memorable top ten finish in this special year. It is always hard to predict who will perform on race day, as we all know anything can happen on the day! Here is a sneak peak into how some of the top elite runners are expected to perform.
Top Male Contenders
STEPHEN MUZHINGI (Zimbabwe)
Stephen’s victory in the 2009 Comrades was the first ever for a Zimbabwean. His winning time of 5:23 was the second fastest time in history.
Age: 33
Club: Formula 1 Bluff Meats Athletic Club
Personal performances 2010
• Two Oceans 56km – 3:10 (4th)
Comrades success
• 2007 – 5:40 (7th)
• 2008 – 5:39 (3rd)
• 2009 – 5:23 (1st)
JOSH COX (USA)
Josh is a three-time Olympic Marathon trials qualifier, a 50km American record holder and recently ran a 2:13 marathon.
Age: 33
Club: Nedbank
PBs:
• 1500m – 3:49
• 3000m – 8:15
• Half marathon – 1:03
• Marathon – 2:13
• 50km – 2:47
BONGMUSA MTHEMBU (SA)
In 2009, after several victories in road races, Bongmusa gave up his job in construction to become a professional athlete.
Age: 27
Club: Mr Price
Personal performances 2010
• Nongoma Ultra (2nd)
Comrades success
• 2007 – 6:07 (31st)
• 2008 – 6:28 (52nd)
• 2009 – 5:41 (7th)
GRIGORY MURZIN (Russia)
Grigory is one of the male Russian athletes who have dominated the Comrades Marathon for years. He is a consistent top ten finisher.
Age: 40
Club: Mr Price
Personal performances
• Best time of 6:23 for 100km
Comrades success
• 2006 – 5:41 (4th)
• 2007 – 5:30 (2nd)
• 2008 – 5:43 (5th)
FUSI NHLAPO (SA)
Fusi is best known for his 2003 Comrades win, clocking 5:28 and beating a world-class field.
Age: 38
Club: Mr Price
Personal performances 2010
• Vaal Marathon – 2:33 (5th)
Comrades success
• 2006 – 5:41 (5th)
• 2007 – 5:33 (4th)
• 2009 – 5:36 (4th)
LUCAS NONYANA (SA)
Age: 30
Club: Nedbank
Personal performances 2010
• Won Ottosdal Nite Race
• Om Die Dam – 2:55 (3rd)
Comrades success
• 2006 – 5:53 (14th)
• 2007 – 5:47 (9th)
• 2009 – 5:39 (5th)
MNCEDISI MKHIZE (SA)
Age: 30
Club: Mr Price
Personal performances 2010
• Two Oceans 56km – 3:24
Comrades success
• 2007 – 5:32 (3rd)
• 2008 – 5:48 (7th)
• 2009 – 5:41 (6th)
HARMANS MOKGADI (SA)
Age: 35
Club: Nedbank
Comrades success
• 2007 – 5:55 (14th)
• 2008 – 5:47 (6th)
• 2009 – 5:44 (10th)
PETER MOLAPO (SA)
Age: 31
Club: Nedbank
Personal performances 2010
• Middelburg 5 in 1 – 42.2km (6th, 2:38)
Comrades success
• 2007 – 6:21 (54th)
• 2008 – 6:01 (17th)
• 2009 – 5:42 (8th)
Top Female Contenders
KERRY KOEN (SA)
Age: 34
Club: Nedbank
Personal performances 2010
• Dusi (top ten in mixed doubles)
• Umgeni Water 32km (1st)
• Old Mutual Two Oceans (9th)
Comrades success
• 2007 – 7:36 (19th)
• 2008 – 7:48 (17th)
• 2009 – 7:18 (11th)
ELENA NURGALIEVA (Russia)
Elena and her sister, Olesya, have dominated the Comrades Marathon for years. The only surprise is seeing which one of the sisters will cross the finish line first.
Age: 33
Club: Mr Price
Personal performances 2010
• Two Oceans 56km – 3:42 (1st)
Comrades success
• 2003 – 6:07 (1st)
• 2004 – 6:11 (1st)
• 2005 – 6:12 (3rd)
• 2006 – 6:09 (1st)
• 2007 – 6:10 (2nd)
• 2008 – 6:14 (1st)
• 2009 – 6:13 (2nd)
OLESYA NURGALIEVA (Russia)
Age: 33
Club: Mr Price
Personal performances 2010
• Two Oceans 56km – 3:41 (2nd)
Comrades success
• 2003 – 6:12 (2nd)
• 2004 – 6:20 (4th)
• 2005 – 6:10 (2nd )
• 2007 – 6:10 (1st)
• 2008 – 6:15 (2nd )
• 2009 – 6:12 (1st)
TATYANA ZHIRKOVA (Russia)
Tatyana is another strong Russian contender and is best remembered for her memorable 2005 Comrades victory.
Age: 39
Club: Nedbank
Comrades success
• 2003 – 6:17 (3rd)
• 2004 – 6:28 (5th)
• 2005 – 5:58 (1st)
• 2006 – 6:27 (3rd)
• 2008 – 6:17 (3rd)
• 2009 – 6:15 (3rd)
MARINA MYSHLYANOVA (Russia)
Age: 43
Club: Mr Price
Comrades success
• 2007 – 6:25 (5th)
• 2008 – 6:30 (4th)
• 2009 – 6:30 (4th)
LESLEY TRAIN
Lesley works as a personal secretary and is best known for her broad smile every time she crosses the finish line.
Age: 36
Club: Nedbank
Personal performances 2010
• Ottosdal Nite Marathon – 3:10 (1st)
• Slow Mag Marathon – 3:09 (1st)
• Om Die Dam – 3:39 (2nd)
Comrades success
• 2007 – 7:15 (13th)
• 2008 – 7:02 (9th)
• 2009 – 7:01 (6th)
FARWA MENTOOR (SA)
For a number of years Farwa has been South Africa’s top female finisher.
Age: 37
Club: Bonitas
Comrades success
• 2006 – 6:41 (6th)
• 2007 – 6:24 (4th)
• 2008 – 6:59 (8th)
• 2009 – 6:45 (5th)
RIANA VAN NIEKERK (SA)
Over the years Riana has won numerous road races. Her biggest dream is to one day win the Comrades Marathon. She has a 2:43 marathon PB.
Age: 34
Club: Mr Price
Personal performances 2010
• Won Pick n Pay Marathon (2:59)
Comrades success
• 2004 – 7:12 (10th)
• 2005 – 7:15 (16th)
• 2006 – 7:04 (8th)
• 2008 – 6:43 (6th)
BELINDA WAGHORN (SA)
Age: 36
Club: Bonitas
Personal performances 2010
• Two Oceans 56km – 4:12
• Om Die Dam – 3:41 (3rd)
Comrades success
• 2007 – 8:14 (45th)
• 2009 – 7:09 (9th)
ADINDA KRUGER (SA)
Age: 33
Club: Nedbank
Personal performances 2010
• Two Oceans 56km – 3:49 (3rd)
Comrades success
• 2003 – 8:03 (46th)
• 2005 – 7:08 (15th)
• 2007 – 6:38 (9th)
