Gatebe guns for Comrades ‘up’ record

A COMRADES Marathon record that has stood for 19 years is in danger of being broken – and Shaun Meikeljohn believes that, just like the “down” run record last year, the “up” run time of five hours 24 minutes 49 seconds will fall to a South African.

“The top athletes will be gunning for the record and I won’t be surprised if they broke it,” said Meikeljohn, winner of the race back in 1995.

“Not many people believed the record would go last year, but David Gatebe ( did it and I think he has what it takes to break the up run record as well.”

Last year, Gatebe finished in 5:18:19 as he smashed the previous record of 5:20:49 set by Russian Leonid Shvetsov.

Meiklejohn says Gatebe’s build will make it even easier for him to do well at the famous ultra marathon going up from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on June 4.

“Gadebe will be even tougher to beat because he is short, guys built like him often do well on the hills while the taller guys struggle. And I know Gatebe and his teammates are working very hard in preparation for the race, they will do well again.”

The 53-year-old Meikeljohn also believes the race will once again be won by a South African.

“Besides Gatebe there is also Ludwick Mamabolo who has the potential to win the race again,” he said of the 2012 champion.

He, however, ruled out 2014 winner Bongumusa Mthembu from the list of potential triumphants.

“I think Bongmusa wasted a lot of energy at (Old Mutual) Two Oceans recently. He finished in the top ten and that would have taken a lot out of him. He might struggle at Comrades because he needed a longer time to recover but the event is just around the corner,” Mikeljohn explained.

While he foresees the record falling, the Save Orion Running Club member believes no one will ever get near equalling or even bettering Bruce Fordyce record of nine wins.

“That’s mission impossible,” he said without flinch- ing. “Sure, Leonid’s record can be broken but I don’t see it (anyone winning the Comrades ten times) happening. That’s just too much to ask.”

Meiklejohn will be participating at the race again this year and believes he has a lot more races left in his still.

“I am aiming for 6:43 this year,” said Meiklejohn who has completed 25 Comrades and has 18 gold medals “I want to make 30 races, then after that I can re-assess.”

Meiklejohn is pleased to see that corporate South Africa is now making it worth athletes’ while to go out on a limb on the road.

“The sponsors used to pay a lot of money for foreign athletes including appearance fees and bonuses. But what is good now is that sponsors like Nedbank and KPMG are starting to invest in locals. They give them a lot of money,” he explained “(Back in 1995) I won R45 000 for winning Comrades, today it is close to R300 000 plus bonuses that go with breaking record. That’s very encouraging.”