The 'Happy Bunch' seek redemption at Comrades after dizzying setback

The Nedbank Running Club's training group, fondly referred to as The Happy Bunch, are looking to regain their joy at this year's Comrades Marathon following a forgettable outing in the 2024 Up Run.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

The 2024 edition of The Ultimate Human Race is sure to be chalked up by the group as an episode in their illustrious Comrades story best forgotten. Save for Dan Matshailwe finishing runner-up and Joseph Manyedi coming in fourth, there were no other gold medals for the group, who are accustomed to dominating the top ten.

The duo have since left the group, leaving former champions Edward Mothibi and Tete Dijana, along with multiple gold medallist Johannes Makgetla, to carry the torch - the trio having "seen dust" last year. For reasons still baffling to them, they along with Galaletsang Mekgoe, who finished fourth in 2022 all suffered dizzy spells during the race.

Dijana, champion back-to-back in 2022 and 2023, was the worst affected the sight of him hobbling along the road as his legs turned to jelly a sad, lingering memory from last year's race. He finished in 14th place.

Mothibi did not fare quite as badly, but he too struggled inexplicably and ended up finishing two places behind Dijana.