Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 59, June 2014 | Page 13

Comrades Contenders
While Charne Bosman will be flying the
SA flag proudly in the women’s race, these
are the other leading contenders that the
Modern Athlete team reckons will also be in
the hunt for gold medals.

THE WOMEN
Elena Nurgalieva (Toyota): All-time leading Comrades woman
with eight wins.
Marina Zhalybina (Maxed Elite): 12 gold medals, the most
ever for a woman.
Thabitha Tsatsa (Maxed Elite): Was declared the 2013 Two
Oceans Marathon winner.
Olesya Nurgalieva (Toyota): Two wins, six times runner-up,
nine golds, never lower than 4th.
Julanie Basson (Toyota): Finished 10th in 2012 and 2013.
Eleanor Greenwood (Nedbank): Was third in 2011 and runnerup in 2012.
Irina Antrapova (Nedbank): Came home third in the 2013
Comrades.
Riana van Niekerk (Boxer): Current Om Die Dam champ,
looking for a good Comrades.
Salome Cooper (Toyota): Regular podium finisher in recent
Central Gauteng races.
Caroline Wostmann (Nedbank): Runner-up at last year’s City
to City Marathon.

THE MEN
Claude Moshiywa (Nedbank):
First South African ‘Up Run’ winner
in 21 years in 2013.
Jonas Budd (Nedbank): Blitzed
the second half last year to take
2nd. Also 4th in 2011.
Ludwick Mamabolo (Nedbank):
Has an impressive ‘Down’ record: 2010
runner-up, 2012 winner.
Bongmusa Mthembu (Nedbank): Another great ‘Down’
runner: 2nd in 2012, 3rd in 2010, 7th in 2009.
Fanie Matshipa (Samancor): Runner-up in 2011, could provide
a surprise in 2014.
Gift Kelehe (Samancor): Finished 5th in 2011 and 8th in 2012,
younger brother of winner Andrew.
Mabothile Lebopo (Maxed Elite): Former Soweto Marathon
and Two Oceans champ.
Mike Fokoroni (Maxed Elite): Regular podium finisher in SA’s
big races, 8th in 2013.
Marco Mambo (Maxed Elite): Secured 4th in 2012, better
known for three Two Oceans wins.
Joseph Mphuthi (Toyota): Last year he finished 7th and will be
pushing for more gold.
William Mokwalakwala (Toyota): This year’s Om Die Dam
champ, was 13th in 2012.
Leboka Noto (Toyota): Has four gold medals and was 3rd in
2012.
Stephen Muzhingi (Toyota): Three consecutive wins from 2009
to 2011, a crowd favourite.
Rufus Photo (Pietersburg): Finished 9th in 2013, will be
hoping for another gold.
Johannes Kekana (Toyota): Was 5th last year and first veteran
– favourite to retain that title.

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