Comrades: Mphuti leads with quarter to go

The South African, from the Toyota team, took over from Thys around Everton Road, having crossed the halfway mark outside the top 10 with a time of two hours, 46 minutes and 22 seconds (2:46:22).

Thys, the national marathon record holder, has since faded away badly and was even spotted walking with one shoe off with a little over 22 kilometres of the 89.28 still remaining to Durban.

A group of the leading contenders made up of former champions Stephen Muzhingi and Ludwick Mamabolo as well as Gift Kelehe, Bongmusa Mthembu, Rufus Photo and Sepitle Phaladi were hot on the heels of the leader.

The women’s race was headed by Elena Nurgalieva, while her sister Olesya was with her.
– Sapa