Locals Tete, Steyn victorious

SOUTH AFRICA'S down run king Tete Dijana emerged victorious in the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban yesterday, with Dutch runner Piet Wiersma hot on his heels.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

A tactical masterclass is what South Africa’s Gerda Steyn produced in landing her fourth title in the women’s section of the race, ahead of Russian Alexandra Morozova, who finished in second.

Dijana said he felt like a real winner, and he was indeed, a “down-run real champion”.

He said he could not explain how winning felt.

"I was so excited. Very, very excited and also emotional because I remember what happened last year... I was in the best shape, but the devil came, so I was happy that at least the devil didn't attack me this year," Dijana said.

"I've been getting pressure from social media saying, 'don't let it go again, they used the word again. So I had to fix everything."

Dijana said he came prepared. His game plan in the morning was eyeing everyone, checking who was leading, but not underestimating his anyone.

On Wiersma making ground on him, Dijana said: “In the last 10 kilometres, I saw he was closing in. Then I accelerated a little bit, and then the gap opened.”