Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TETE Dijana dug deep, dug smart, and delivered again.
In another unforgettable duel with Dutch rival Piet Wiersma, Dijana produced a tactical masterclass to win the 2025 Comrades Marathon in Durban yesterday, clinching his third title in a nail biting finish that echoed the drama of 2023.
Wiersma, as always, was in the hunt, charging late, but this time couldn’t summon the last gear as Dijana crossed the line in 5:25:28, just five seconds ahead of the flying Dutchman (5:25:33).
Russian surprise package Nikolai Volkov (5:29:42) stormed into third place in his second Comrades appearance, edging out 2019 up run champion Edward Mothibi (5:31:41).
The 2025 edition stretched 89,98km, about 2km longer than the 2023 down run, ending at People’s Park outside Moses Mabhida Stadium, with the main arena still under renovation.
In 2023, it was Dijana who edged Wiersma by a mere three seconds in a sprint finish, breaking David Gatebe’s record in the process. The tables turned in last year’s up run, where Wiersma, hardened by a Spartan style Kenyan camp, claimed his first Comrades as Dijana, limping and cramping, hobbled home in 14th.
But the down run remains Dijana’s kingdom.
He timed his move to perfection, unleashing a decisive surge just after Pinetown and powering through Cowies Hill, while Wiersma, always within range, just couldn’t match the Mahikeng born star over the final kilometres into Durban.
It was a third career win, and third down-run victory, for the Nedbank Running Club runner, who also triumphed in 2022 and 2023.
Earlier in the day, Onalenna Khonkhobe lit up the race with a brave front running display. The reigning Two Oceans Marathon champion stuck to his word, storming out from Pietermaritzburg City Hall and leading through the halfway mark at Thousand Hills in 2:25:16, eight minutes ahead of the chasing pack.
Usually, the early miles are left to TV chasers and sacrificial pacesetters. But this time, it was Khonkhobe out front, determined and defiant.
“I’m using the 2025 Comrades to learn,” he had boldly declared pre-race, “but I’ll win it back to back in future.”
And maybe he will.
He stayed out front well past Pinetown, but the effort took its toll.
Around halfway, cramps set in. He walked. Recovered.
Then kept going. But with two hours still on the clock, the chasers were closing fast, Dijana, Wiersma, Mothibi, Bongmusa Mthembu, and David Gatebe among them.
By Cowies Hill, Khonkhobe was clearly spent, almost grinding to a halt as the elite pack swept by.
Dijana surged, Mothibi faded, and Wiersma moved into second, setting the stage for yet another head to head.
The South African held firm. Wiersma, stalking at about 200 metres back, surged again in the final kilometre, closing the gap to 100m, but the clock, and Dijana’s race craft, beat him.
