IN PHOTOS: Two times Comrades champ wins TRAC N4 Elands Marathon
Tete Dijana proved too strong for Joseph Manyedi and Philani Nkomo over the 42.2km.
Some 4 617 athletes crossed the finish line in the 10km, 21.1km and 42.2km road races at the 2025 TRAC N4 Elands Marathon on Saturday, March 1.
The marathon started at Oosterlijn Skool in Emgwenya, the half-marathon at the Malaga Hotel and the 10km at the race village at the Ngodwana Skills Training Centre. All three finished at the race village.
The scenic route on the N4 Elands Valley was a kaleidoscope of the colours of the various clubs’ running kits. The spirit among the runners was infectious and the atmosphere at the water points electric.
Three athletes fought it out for the men’s 42.2km gold medal.
At the 21km-split only three seconds separated the breakaway leaders, Tete Dijana (01:07:38) of Nedbank Running Club Gauteng North, Philani Nkomo (01:07:40) of Manoni and Joseph Manyedi (01:07:41) of Maxed Elite Central Gauteng.
The 2022 and 2023 Comrades Marathon winner, Dijana, went through the 33km split in 01:48:35 and had opened a 29-second lead on Manyedi and a 50-second lead on Nkomo. Dijana held off a strong challenge by Manyedi over the final 9km and crossed the finish line as the 2025 TRAC N4 Elands Marathon winner in 02:18:19.
Manyedi was second in 02:18:46 and Nkomo third in 02:21:10.
ALSO READ: Springboks to face Georgia at Mbombela Stadium
The first Lowveld-based club runner to finish was Professa Mthethwa of the City of Mbombela Marathon Club. He finished sixth in the senior male category and 13th overall in 02:30:40.
In the women’s marathon, Martinique Cronje of Pietermaritzburg Road Runners paced herself almost perfectly and held the lead with a 60-second gap over Kebogile Motshabi of Pan African Resources Athletics Club at the 21km-split. By the 33km-split, Cronje had increased her lead over Motshabi to 72 seconds.
The KZN runner claimed first place with a time of 02:49:45. Motshabi was second in 02:52:06, and Christina Silale third in 02:55:59.
The best Lowveld female athlete was Manda Gomes who broke the three-hour marathon barrier for the first time. The Nedbank LVCC runner clocked 02:57:59 to take fifth place in the 40 to 49 category and was seventh overall.
Reghen Magwai of Hollywood Athletics Club Gauteng North won the men’s half-marathon in 01:03:34. Nedbank Running Club’s Philemon Kosey was second in 01:03:05, and Prince Ndlovu of Bella’s Athletics Club third in 01:04:33.
Lowveld runner, Ntutuko Masego of Nedbank LVCC, won the 40 to 49 years category in the 21.1km race in 01:12:14. Another Lowvelder, Nicola Mason, who is not affiliated to a club, made it a double win for the Lowveld in this age category, winning the women’s 40 to 49 half-marathon in 01:41:21.
Andries van Wyngaard from Run Walk for Life Mpumalanga took second place in the men’s 40 to 49 race. Moris Maiga of Bella’s ran to first place in the men’s 50 to 59 years category in 01:15:07.
LowMed Running Club made it a 1-2 in the women’s 60+ half-marathon with Alison Hay finishing first in 01:46:02, and Isabella Pienaar taking second place in 02:14:22.
