Mr Price powerful for Comrades
20 April 2005
Vladimir Kotov, the winner of the last three Comrades Marathon "up-runs" - from Durban to Pietermaritzburg - will spearhead the challenge of the colourful Mr Price "elite team" the eightieth anniversary running of the world-famous ultra-marathon on 16 June.
Former Olympic athlete Gwen van Lingen, the director of the team, announced the squad in Durban this week. It includes several high-profile runners who should be in the running to challenge for victory and places in the top 10 of the men's and women's race.
Kotov, now a South African resident who runs for Mr Price Western Province, is a full-time athlete and boasts an outstanding Comrades record. His personal best of 5:25:33, set in 2000, is the record for the up-run.
Fusi Nhlapo, who won the 2003 down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in 5:28:52, will be back this year and running in the red colours of the Mr Price team. He missed last year's race because of injury.
The Mr
Price men's line-up includes a number of other top contenders:
Frans Chauke - Comrades PB 6:11:55 (2004)
Walter Nkosi - Comrades PB 5:38:15 (2001)
Simon Mphulanyane - Comrades PB 5:44:10 (2004)
Jacob Mazibuko – Comrades debut
Zamile Gebashe - Comrades PB 6:37:02 (2004)
Moses Lepheana – Comrades debut
Mluleki Nobanda - Comrades debut in 2004 DNF
Joseph Maerman - Comrades debut in 2004 DNF
Joseph Ikaneng - Comrades PB 5:41:08 (1999)
Jaroslaw Janicki - Comrades PB 5:30:11 and winner (1999)
Mr Price is also expected to seal contracts with Russians twins Oleysa and Elena Nurgalieva.
Two-time defending champion Elena won the down-run in her debut race in 2003 in a time of 6:11:05, with Oleysa coming home in second, over four minutes adrift. In 2004, Elena won the up-run in 6:11:15.
Marina Bychkova, who finished second in last year's event, is also expected to sign with Mr Price.
The trio of Russians was most
recently in action in the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon. Elena Nurgalieva took the win ahead of her sister, while Bychkova took third.
The Mr Price women' team will also include a number of South Africans:
Frith van der Merwe, who has won the Comrades three times, including a sensational victory in 1989 in 5:54:43.
Grace de Oliviera, a regular top 10 challenger.
Yolande MacLean, who has won gold medals in each of her two previous attempts at the race.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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