No sure bets on Comrades

NICK Bester knows what success feels and tastes like.

However‚ it has eluded him in the men’s section of the Comrades Marathon in the past three years.

David Gatebe and Gift Kelehe have done serious numbers on the Nedbank athletes managed by Bester even though his female crew‚ through Charne Bosman‚ has more than held the fort.

Through Lungile Gqongqa there was a whiff of joy in the form of the Two Oceans Marathon, but Bester is aware of the difference in the races.

Bester is not up to competing with Samancor’s John Hamlett and their new-found dominance of the race, but he knows the unpredictable nature of the up-run will make things interesting on Sunday.

“I’m used to producing winners each year since I’ve been involved in the Comrades Marathon as a manager‚” Bester said.

“We’ve always had something to celebrate, and at some point someone else must win.

“There’s a 50 to 60% chance of me having a winner.

“If you look at the Two Oceans Marathon‚ we won all four titles on offer, so I know I’ve got the guys to actually win the races and I’ve also got the ladies to win the race.”

Bosman will lead the women’s charge for Bester’s team, with Fikile Mbutuma being one to watch.

The men’s faith will be placed in Ludwick Mamabolo, al though he has not always been at his best when it comes to the up-run.

Bester knows he has an ace in Bosman‚ whose second wind last year saw her take charge of the down run and dramatically beat Caroline Wostmann.

The men’s race, with the different winners it has thrown up since the 2011 edition when Stephen Muzhingi completed his hat-trick, has always been the surprise package.

“I know Charne may have a chance, but the men’s race will be very competitive,” he said.

“However‚ anything can and will go wrong in the race.

“We must also look at stalwarts like Ludwick Mamabolo, who know how the race works.

“There’s also Siphiwe Ndlela from KwaZulu-Natal, who has done well in Two Oceans and Comrades,” Bester said.