Russian runner Alexandra Morozova has taken 1st place in the women’s 2022 Comrades Marathon. She reached Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in just over 6h17min49s.
On Saturday, Morozova challenged the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) in court in a bid to take part in the race. Earlier the CMA had said that according to the rules Russian runners will not be allowed to race. However, Morozova won her court bid thereby allowing all Russian athletes to participate in Sunday’s race.
In second place SA runner Dominika Stelmach from Nedbank Running Club finished in a time of 6h25 min08s.
Photos Gallery: 2022 Comrades Marathon by Sandile Zikhali
Earlier, the crowd erupted into cheers at Durban’s Moses Mabhida welcoming South African Tete Dijana at the finish on Sunday. South African male runner, Tete Morena Dijana has won the 2022 Comrades Marathon.
The security guard from the North West reached Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in an incredible time of 5h30min35s.
He has beaten the 2019 champion Edward Mothibi who finished the race in the second position in 5h33min46s. The two dominated the marathon following the halfway point.
The Northwest-based athlete Dijana started running in 2005. He finished 55th in 2019.
Meanwhile, runner Bongmusa Mthembu has taken home his 10th gold Comrades Marathon medal. The former champion spoke to Supersport Live after winning the fourth position this year.
“You know this is a race of anybody. As you can see who won the race? This guy we never knew, but we have to respect them. Coming into this year, it wasn’t easy because I knew when I won the Comrades what I am getting. So each season, the sacrifice gets more and more.
More than 14 000 runners from 72 countries conquer this year’s 90km race. The downhill run began in Pietermaritzburg earlier on Sunday.
