From reunions in the loo queue, to hallucinating about forgetting to pull her pants back up after another loo stop at 65 kays, this is the entertaining story of René Kalmer’s successful Comrades Marathon debut. – By Sean Falconer
Author: Tanika Laskey
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Meder Battles Back After Emergency Surgery and is Primed For Paris
By Karien Jonckheere
Picture:Anton Geyser/SA Sports Images
Rebecca Meder’s road to Paris has been something of a roller coaster ride. Four weeks before the SA Olympic trials, the 21-year-old swimmer’s appendix ruptured, leading to emergency surgery and a dramatic change of plans.
With rules dictating she had to compete at the trials to be considered for the SA team, Meder still made her way back to South Africa from her training base in New Zealand and competed in just one race – the 50m backstroke. The event was selected as it doesn’t involve a dive or tumble turn which could have caused problems with the still-healing internal stitches after the surgery.
Fortunately for Meder, she had already achieved an Olympic qualifying time in the 200m individual medley ahead of the competition, so her place on the team was secured once she had fulfilled the requirement of simply showing up. But what followed was a gruelling few months of trying to regain her form.
The SA record-holder said the comeback would not have been possible without the support of her coach, family, boyfriend and strength and conditioning and medical teams – along with a strong faith in God.
“I’ve cried many tears over the phone, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t cry and if I didn’t have those raw emotions, and you know what, they let me feel the way I’m feeling, they listened, and then we tackled it with logic and with precision and with a goal in mind,” she explained.
“Mentally it was tough. I was frustrated, I was angry and devastated. But at the same time, I was so grateful that I was healthy. An erupted appendix is quite a dangerous thing. I spent a lot of time in prayer, worshipping God and just fixing my mind on His truth … and ultimately filling my mind with positivity and with peace and with comfort and knowing that everything was going to be OK.
“It was very difficult getting back in the pool, it was when the load started picking up, I was a little bit despondent every now and then… but I’m more at peace now knowing that I’m back on track, I’m strong again, I’m fit, fast, and muscle memory has kicked in really quickly.”
With much determination and hard work after what was effectively six weeks away from full training, Meder believes she is now back at her best.
“I’ve been hitting times in training that I’m really happy with, faster times than I have been, and my racing’s been going well, I’ve done one or two local events here in New Zealand and really happy with some of my times and some PBs, short course, which is always obviously encouraging.”
Meder competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and while that was important in terms of gaining experience, this time she’s there to compete.
“Last time my goal was to get to Olympics, and now my goal is to perform at Olympics. It’s quite scary to say out loud, but I suppose your dreams are supposed to scare you, and for me making a final at Olympic Games would be huge,” she said.
“The 200IM is going to be one of the most competitive events at Olympic Games… top eight in the world at an event like the Olympics would be massive. And then of course, when you’re in the final, anything can happen.”
Childhood fantasy becomes Olympic reality for SA’s sole fencer in Paris
By Karien Jonckheere
Flashing swords and clashing steel… who wouldn’t be fascinated? That’s what initially drew Harry Saner to fencing, and what’s now created a path for the 23-year-old to the Olympic Games in Paris.
“I was always fascinated with swords. Who isn’t as a kid? So many movies showed fencing in so many ways that when I saw it on the TV I knew I had to start it. I begged my parents and soon they found the club that I’m still at today,” explained the Wits mechanical engineering student who trains at Tyshler Fencing School in Randburg.
Having taken up the sport around the age of 10, Saner soon climbed up the ranks and developed a real love for the sport.
“I love that fencing is a beautiful balance of physicality and mentality that transforms into a battle of wits. It’s like high-speed chess. Or your favourite movie fight scene. I absolutely wish more people knew about it. I’d love to fence more people and give more people the awesomeness fencing has given me,” he explained.
Securing his place in Paris involved winning the African Zonal Olympic Qualifier in Algeria. That he achieved by beating Mauritian Satya Gunput 15-14 in the semifinal before getting the better of Mali’s Keletigui Diabate 15-13 in the final.
“I know I was the fittest I’ve ever been for the zonal championship I won. Having that foundation already has given me the confidence to be fitter and fence better than I ever have before. So I can’t wait to see just how much better I become.”
Saner’s coach, Gennady Tyshler, has trained numerous Olympians while his father, David Tyshler, was an Olympic medallist for the Soviet Union in 1956. The coach believes fencing is the type of sport where little-known athletes can often spring a surprise on the more established stars.
“I’m sure I can!” reckoned a confident Saner. “No one has really had the opportunity to overanalyse the way I fence but there is so much out there that I can use to make a few creative problems for my upcoming opponents.”
Saner will be representing the country in épée, one of the three disciplines in fencing – the other two being foil and sabre. In épée there are no right of way rules regarding attacks which means any hit which is made is counted. Hits are awarded based on which fencer makes a hit first, according to an electrical recording apparatus.
“I’m most excited to fence in front of the French crowd. I hope it’s as electrifying as I think it’s going to be,” he said. “And since it’s a country with so much history and tradition for fencing I’m excited to show them what I’ve got. I’m going there with a medal-winning mentality and I know that will take me further than I’ve ever gone before.”
Fencing at the Paris Olympic Games runs from 27 July to 4 August.
Top Contenders in 2024 Comrades Marathon
The Comrades Marathon has long been known as the unofficial world championships of ultrarunning and this year, a world class international and local field will be lining up outside the Durban City Hall, among more than 20,000 other runners for the 97th Comrades Marathon and 49th Up Run.
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) hosted its Elite Athletes Media Briefing in Durban today (Friday, 7.6.2024). Among this year’s top contenders will be:
Internationals:
WOMEN
Alexandra Morozova – Russia
Morozova boasts 5 Comrades Marathon gold medal finishes from 5 starts and will be very strong on the Up Run. A former winner having won the race in 2022, Morozova has been on the podium in the top 3 in all but one of her Comrades finishes. Last year she was 6th but still ran her fastest ever time of 6:14:32. Coached by former winner Oleg Kharitonov, Morozova will be in the hunt come race day.
Dominika Stelmach – Nedbank Running Club International (Poland)
With a very strong ultradistance running pedigree and 3 Comrades Marathon gold medals to her name, Stelmach knows how to run the race having achieved a best of 2nd place in 2022 as well as golds on both the Up and Down Runs.
Caitriona Jennings – Nedbank Running Club International (Ireland)
An Irish native that represented her country in the 2012 Olympic Games Marathon, Jennings finished on the podium in 3rd at her first Comrades Marathon in 2019 on the Up Run. She returned last year to Comrades to make it two golds from two starts running a very fast 6:10:26 for 5th.
Andrea Pomaranski – Nedbank Running Club International (United States)
A 41-year-old who hails from the United States of America, Pomaranski boasts a very fast 2:31 marathon from Houston in 2023 and in 2024 has already run under 2:34 for the marathon twice. After a 2nd place finish in last year’s World Championships over 50km, Pomaranski has set her sights on the Comrades Marathon.
MEN
Piet Wiersma – Nedbank Running Club International (Netherlands)
Known as the unknown dutchman at the 2023 Comrades Marathon, Wiersma won the hearts of many South Africans last year where he finished 2nd, a scant 3 seconds behind winner Tete Dijana and smashing the previous course record in a time of 5:14:01. A student who is based in Italy and does all his training in the mountains, Wiersma is coming back hungry to win the Comrades and has specifically focused on added hill training for this year’s Up Run.
Andrew Davies – United Kingdom
Davies is a seasoned and fast marathon runner who boasts a marathon personal best of 2:14:23 from the 2022 Seville Marathon. The 44-year-old Brit will be making his Comrades debut in 2024 and with his speed, could well provide an upset at the front of the race.
Aaleksei Beresnev – Russia
Russian athletes have a rich history with the Comrades Marathon with many running to gold medal finishes and even wins. After a hiatus from the Comrades Marathon, more Russian athletes are starting to make their way back to South Africa and Beresnev is one of them who will be looking to emulate his countrymen. Running 5:24:40 last year to finish 8th after leading for some part of the race, it is said Beresnev much prefers the hills, and the 2024 Comrades Marathon could be the stepping stone of his career.
Alex Milne – Nedbank Running Club International – United Kingdom
Milne ran a very fast 5:31:34 in his debut Comrades last year after an extremely fast last 15km to the finish. In any other year his time would have been good enough for a top 5 finish but was only good enough for 15th last year. With a 2:16:30 marathon personal best from the 2023 London Marathon, Milne has the strength and the speed to mix it up with the men upfront and returns to Comrades hungry for a top 10 finish.
Johan Lantz – Sweden
Lantz is an ultradistance trail runner who hails from Sweden and makes his way to Comrades to run his debut. A very strong runner, Lantz boasts an impressive 5:14:41 from the Tunnel Hill 50 miler (80km) and based off that, and with the race being an Up Run, has the pedigree to challenge for a top 10 finish.
South African And Rest Of Africa Athletes:
WOMEN
Gerda Steyn – Phantane Athletics Club – South Africa
What can be said about Steyn, a two-time Comrades Marathon winner and course best time holder in both the Up and Down Runs, rewriting the record books in winning fashion. On the last Up Run in 2019, Steyn became the first woman to run the Up Run in under 6 hours, taking over 10 minutes off the course best time and finishing an amazing 17th overall in the field. She comes back this year a much stronger and faster athlete and more recently broke her own South African record in the marathon with a world class 2:24:03.
Adele Broodryk – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa
Broodryk is one of the country’s best ultradistance runners and has back to back Comrades Marathon gold medals from her 2 starts, finishing 3rd in 2022 and 2nd last year, also breaking the magical 6 hour barrier with her 5:56:25. Can she improve one better and take the top spot this year?
Galaletsang Mekgoe – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa
One of only two women who are in the same training group as men’s back to back winner Tete Dijana, Mekgoe ran a dream debut back in 2022 finishing 5th and came back even faster in 2023 but finished in the worst position of 11th, just outside the gold medals but in a time of 6:31:18 which would have given her a gold medal in every Comrades to date.
Jenet Mbhele – Xcel Athletics Club – South Africa
A South African Marathon champion, Mbhele surprised many by showing up at Comrades last year having never run further than a standard marathon. The Xcel running club athlete finished 7th in the golds in a very fast 6:27:13 and will look to add another gold medal on the Up Run.
Carla Molinaro – Hollywood Athletic Club – South Africa
Molinaro has 6 Comrades Marathon medals to her name of which two are gold medals. On her last Up Run in 2019, Molinaro ran a time of 7:51:12 to finish 45th amongst the ladies. A lot has changed since then, especially in 2023. Pushing the pace hard at the start of the 2023 Comrades, Molinaro ran the race of her life to finish 3rd, and agonizingly just missing out on a sub 6-hour finish with her time of 6:00:22. She then went on to be crowned World Champion over 50km and returns to this year’s Up Run a much different athlete.
Deanne Laubscher – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa
Laubscher is a strong athlete who represented South Africa in both the World 50km and 100km Championships. She will be looking towards her first Comrades gold medal this year after running a very fast 6:36:55 in last year’s race.
MEN
Tete Dijana – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa
If you don’t know the name Tete Dijana, you have not watched the Comrades Marathon the last two years! Dijana has become a household name in South Africa with victories in the 2022 and 2023 Comrades Marathons, the latter in a new Down Run course best time of 5:13:58. Coached by Dave Adams and part of the very strong Nedbank running club, Dijana’s first Comrades came from his only Up Run in 2019 where he finished 50th. Don’t let that result fool you into thinking he can’t run hills. Dijana is a completely different athlete now and holds a 2:11 marathon, split during the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km where he set a then world record over 50km.
Edward Mothibi – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa
Training partner of Dijana, Mothibi finished 3rd in last year’s Comrades Marathon but returns this year as the defending Up Run champion given his win in 2019 when the last Up Run was run. A very strong athlete who has podiumed in the last 3 Comrades Marathons, Mothibi will be looking to prove that his Up Run win was no fluke and that he can do it again.
Bongmusa Mthembu – Arthur Ford Running Club – South Africa
Mthembu hails from KwaZulu-Natal and is a Comrades Marathon legend having won the race 3 times and obtaining victories in both the Up and Down Runs. The last time the race went up in 2019, Mthembu narrowly lost out on a 4th victory, finishing 25 seconds behind Mothibi. He returns as a monster on the hills and will once again be eyeing out the top of the podium.
Nkosikhona Mhlakwana – Hollywood Athletic Club – South Africa
Nicknamed the pit bull, Mhlakwana is another athlete who hails from the KwaZulu-Natal province and has proven his worth in the Comrades Marathon with a gold in 2022 and 11th and 12th places in 2019 and 2023. On the last Up Run, Mhlakwana fell to the ground with the finish line in sight and went from 9th to 11th. With a 2nd and 3rd place in the Two Oceans, he has the speed and strength to make an impact.
Teboho Sello – Maxed Elite Running Club – Lesotho
Sello has been a name synonymous with South African distance running, stepping onto the podium of all major races around the country except one, the Comrades Marathon which is his favourite event. A former winner of the tough Soweto Marathon, Sello has 4 Comrades gold medals with a best of 5th and ran his Comrades personal best last year where he finished 7th in 5:24:22.
Joseph Manyedi – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa
Manyedi is a former television front runner. He is an ultradistance running specialist as attributed to his 3 Comrades gold medals from the last 3 races. A training partner to double winner Dijana, Manyedi was 5th on the last Up Run.
Dan Matshailwe – Nedbank Running Club – South Africa
A 3rd place finish on his debut Comrades in 2022, Matshailwe chose to focus on the Two Oceans Marathon in 2023 and came so close to winning it with his 2nd place finish after suffering with leg problems for most of the race and then closing the leader towards the end. This year is all about Comrades for Matshailwe who is also part of the Dijana Nedbank training group.
Luxolo Adams determined to overcome “speed bumps” on road to Paris
By Karien Jonckheere
Luxolo Adams is yet to get his track season underway. A grade 2 hamstring tear has kept him on the sidelines, but the 27-year-old sprinter is confident he can come back stronger than ever as he builds towards the Paris Olympics, with the opening ceremony now less than eight weeks away.
“We’ve had some speed humps on the road, but I’ve expanded my team in terms of my health side of things, so we are quite positive, everyone is working hard towards that,” he explained, adding that he has based himself in Johannesburg to get the treatment he needs.
“I should leave South Africa mid-June to go and start competing against the best in the world and then we take it from there.”
Adams made a name for himself by running a speedy 19.82 seconds on his way to victory in the 200m at the Paris Diamond League meet in 2022.
A month later he reached the 200m final at his first World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. But at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, after running 20.15 in the heats, he was involved in the bizarre collision between two golf carts transporting athletes from the warm-up track to the stadium and was badly shaken before his semifinal.
Fortunately for the Gqeberha sprinter, the quick time in those Budapest heats saw him qualifying for the Paris Olympics as he has not competed since then.
“I’m a seasonal athlete,” he explained. “I always come through at the end, and when I’m back I’m back. I think I’ve mastered that now in terms of knowing how to go back, and how to run fast after I’ve had an obstacle along the way,” added Adams, who has dealt with his fair share of obstacles during his career.
“I don’t let that thing put me off my talent. This is my food, this is how I live, this is what puts food on the table. So I’m not going to let anything small get into my head,” he reckoned.
“We don’t want to get too excited because we’ve got a big fish to fry, so we are taking each and every step with precautions. Obviously we want to get to the Olympic Games.”
As for the excellent form that has already been shown this season by other international sprinters, Adams added: “With everyone that has competed so far most of them are looking good… I’m happy for them that they are running fast times now, but I would be worried because it’s still early.
“The Olympic Games are only in August. We want to get to the final so we can’t impress early, we need to impress when it matters.”
Training: Taper Tactics
We’ve all fallen into the trap of squeezing just a little more in before a big race, and many a medal is won or lost in the weeks before the big day, so here’s how to taper properly before that big race. – By Ray Orchison
Nedbank running club fields most competitive Comrades field to date
The Nedbank running club’s famous green Nike vests have dominated running events around the country, and even more so, the Comrades Marathon, dubbed the ultimate human race. 2024 is no different and at this years Comrades Marathon, the club has a record 48 athletes entered under elite status and will be looking for more than just a win.
“Without a doubt, this is the strongest and most competitive team we have ever had at the Comrades Marathon,” says Nick Bester, National team manager of the Nedbank running club and former race winner. “Besides having the defending champion of both the up run and down runs, we have multiple Comrades gold medallists that will take part this year as well as some very interesting novices who can perhaps spoil the party on the day.”
Leading the team will undoubtedly be the duo of Tete Dijana and Edward Mothibi. Coming into this year’s race, Mothibi is the defending up run champion with the race last going up to Pietermaritzburg in 2019, whilst Dijana has won the last two Comrades down runs back-to-back, which included last year’s record-breaking run. The two train together and are known as the happy bunch with gold medallist teammates Joseph Manyedi, Dan Matshailwe and Johannes Makgetla also returning this year.
Also returning will be Piet Wiersma. Referred to last year as the unknown dutchman, the youngster of the team finished 2nd on debut, only 3 seconds behind Dijana and this year has focussed solely on the Comrades Marathon, having prepared for the race in Kenya. “This year we have had athletes focussing on the race from all different corners of the globe,” said Bester. “Tete and the other guys had their base in Dullstroom for the high altitude and Piet chose to train in Kenya for the bulk of his Comrades prep.
Giving a serious attempt at Comrades this year will be Onalenna Khonkhobe who made a name for himself leading the 2022 Comrades Marathon all the way to Fields Hill. He has since grown in stature and this year was the runaway winner of the Two Oceans Marathon. Throw in Russian debutant Nikolay Volkov amongst many other Nedbank stars who will be in action, and the 2024 Comrades Marathon will be a treat for viewers watching at home on TV and for spectators along the route.
In the women’s race, South Africa’s Adele Broodryk leads the Nedbank running club challenge. Debuting in 2022, Broodryk finished 3rd and in last years race improved by one spot to not only finish 2nd, but run an amazing 5:56, to become the 3rd fastest female ever on the down run. Teammates Deanne Laubscher, Galaletsang Mekgoe and Slindile Chili will be looking to join Broodryk amongst the top 10 finishers on the day.
There is also an extraordinarily strong Nedbank running club international contingent coming down which will be led by Polish athlete Dominika Stelmach who is a multiple Comrades Marathon gold medallist. Ireland’s Caitriona Jennings finished on the podium at her debut Comrades up run in 2019 and will be looking for another repeat of that after a strong 7th place at this years Two Oceans Marathon. Running her first Comrades this year will be American Andrea Pomaranski who has been taking training advice from Bester. With a 2:31 marathon best and two sub 2:35 marathon finishers in 2024 already, Pomaranski looks to do something big on 9 June.
‘I worked intensively with Andrea and especially on her overall strength to make sure she can manage the uphill’s which will be complemented by her incredible speed as an Elite marathoner. What impressed me from her is that Andrea is listening and did do all the strength and cross training according to the program and reduced her total running mileage per week. I am expecting Andrea to be up there with the leaders on race day! ‘said Bester
“We have assembled the best possible team to date for this years Comrades and thanks to all of our sponsors, we have given all the athletes all they need in terms of preparations and camps, so all that is left now is the athletes to do their part and once again paint the streets green on 9 June,” said Bester.
From spectator to potential Olympian: Wayde’s sister Kayla is poised for Paris
By Karien Jonckheere
Kayla Swarts was just 13 years old when she sat trackside as her brother, Wayde van Niekerk, stormed to a new 400m world record on his way to Olympic gold in Rio.
Little could she imagine that eight years later she’d be on the brink of becoming an Olympian herself as part of the South African women’s hockey team.
The final squad for the Paris Games is yet to be announced but the 21-year-old is very much in the mix for selection.
“It would honestly be a dream come true, to represent my country and family at the biggest sporting event in history,” Swarts told Modern Athlete. “The fact that I’ll be sharing this moment with my brother would just make it so much more special.
“Thinking back to the moment of watching him in Rio set the 400m world record and seeing the joy on his and my parents’ faces and what that made me feel made me realise that this is a moment that I’d strive to experience one day,” she added.
Speaking more about that moment in Rio when Van Niekerk stunned his rivals from lane eight by taking the gold in 43.03 seconds, Swarts added: “When my brother broke the record I was in the stadium right across the finish line. The moment felt so surreal. I kept watching the clock because he just kept going faster and faster. I thought: is my brother really about to break the record? We were all so proud of him.”
While Van Niekerk will be back on the track at the Stade de France in Paris, looking to complete a triumphant comeback after a tough few years, Swarts will hopefully be making her mark at the Yves du Manoir hockey stadium some 10km away.
Preparations with the team are on track, with the South Africans feeling positive about the mammoth task ahead. “We’ve just spent six weeks training and playing a few practice matches in India and China. This period has been a massive step in the right direction for the team, not only physically but mentally as well.
“We spent a lot of time working with Kate Wright, a sport psychologist, to focus on individual and team strengths and culture which is something I think will be a huge asset for us at the Olympic Games.”
Van Niekerk has also shared a fair bit of advice with his younger sister.
“My brother always emphasises enjoying the sport, finding the joy and beauty in every opportunity I get to represent my country because your sporting career is limited.
“He also advises me to be present and not get stuck on what didn’t work out. The way we see it is that there is no failure in sport – some days it’s your turn to win, some days it’s someone else’s turn, that’s sport. Losing is simply just a building block towards success, it’s an opportunity to evaluate where you can be better and learn from that.
“He’s played an integral role in helping me prepare physically and mentally for the Olympics… Competing at the highest level can often get lonely and hard but knowing that I’ve got someone in my corner who’s overcoming similar obstacles and battles, who’s already been to two Olympic Games and shares advice is truly a blessing and not something many people are privileged to have.”
The SA side will come up against Australia, Argentina, Great Britain, Spain and the United States in the group stage of the Olympic hockey tournament in Paris which runs from 27 July to 9 August.
Ask Yourself Why… Not the Way to Win!
The rules around pacing in road running – be it legal or illegal – have once again featured in the news, thanks to an apparently rigged race in Beijing, China this April. – By Norrie Williamson
Trail (Mis)Adventures: Lost & Found Pirates
The golden rule of trail running (with me) is simple: Do not, under any circumstances, follow me. Trust me, it simply won’t end well, as the Scurvy Sea Dogs recently found out! – By Carla Farina