Down run dark horse: Givemore Mudzinganyama backed to shock Comrades field
Image: Phando Jikelo/Independent Newspapers
Tough as predicting who would win the men's race of the Comrades Marathon is, a former winner of the Down Run believes Givemore Mudzinganyama has the potential to spring a shock.
Shaun Meiklejohn acknowledges that title holder Tete Dijana and Piet Wiersma are the favourites, but he believes a surprise cannot be ruled out.
"There are a lot of contenders," the 1995 champion told IOL Sport. "The Nedbank team has a bit of depth and I am sure Piet is hoping to make amends after that second-place finish from two years ago. He left his charge a little too late then and will believe he can win if he pounces in time.
"Tete knows what it takes to win and he's also desperate to make amends for last year when he had a very poor run. On a good day, he's gonna be hard to beat — he seems to like the Down Run..."
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Meiklejohn, who is going for his 33rd race, has been impressed by Entsika Athletics Club star Mudzinganyama and expects him to do well.
"Givemore is a Two Oceans winner and after finishing tenth last year in his first Comrades, he showed he has the talent. It's a good sign — he's got the taste of it, and he will start this one with confidence."
While he admitted to not knowing the Zimbabwean that well, Meiklejohn believes Mudzinganyama is built for the Down Run. "Looking at his build from afar, he appears more of a downhill runner. I believe the Up Run tends to favour the shorter guys. If he has trained well, I think Givemore can spring a shock."
While it is called the Down Run, Meiklejohn says the initial part of the race will leave the runners feeling they've been duped. "When you leave Maritzburg, you start doubting if it is the Down Run because you are climbing until a few kilometres after the halfway mark."
The nine-time gold medalist says patience is key to winning Comrades. "The top runners who are patient — that will stand them in good stead. I don't think the novices will know how to be patient."
Biding your time, he says, comes in handy after the 60km mark when the race essentially starts. "The thing with Comrades is that you are tired when you get to 60km, and then you have to start running down those very steep declines. Botha's Hill softens you up for Fields Hill, then you go to Pinetown before you reach Cowies. The one who survives the three jarring downhills has a good chance."
Such is the tight competition for this year's race that Meiklejohn believes there will still be a handful of runners in contention after 45th Cutting. "They are so evenly matched in terms of running ability, it is going to be about the one who wants it the most. And even then, there are three or four who want it more."
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