Three-time Comrades Marathon winner Stephen Muzhingi and last year’s fourth place finisher Marko Mambo will take part in the 89th edition of the race set for Durban, South Africa this morning.
By Our staff
The race, which will be uphill this time around, starts in Durban today at 5:30 and winners are expected from 11:00am in Pietermaritzburg.
This year’s addition attracted close to 19 000 athletes.
Muzhingi will be looking forward to overcoming the agony of a poor show last year and win the race although there are doubts his legs can still propel him to victory.
Muzhingi tweeted 48 hours ago that he was more than prepared for the race, urging his countrymen to take the challenge seriously.
“Going to go very fast indeed. I am going to give it 200% this year, I will do you proud,” wrote Muzhingi on his Twitter page.
Muzhingi made a name for himself after becoming the second in the history of the race to win it three times in a row, after legendary Bruce Fordyce.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The nation’s hope also lies on Marko Mambo, yet another dark horse who is fond of pulling surprises. Mambo surprised many last year when he finished on fourth position.
“I have been preparing very hard in my home town of Bindura. I had to look for other places that have the same terrain as the race route. I have always pulled shockers and I hope it’s going to happen this time around,” Mambo said before he left Durban last week.
Another Zimbabwean that can spring a surprise is Point Chaza while Mike Fokorani, Collin Makaza and Tabitha Tsatsa are dark horses. Some of these athletes will go into the race as pacesetters.
