'I don't have any fears' - Tete Dijana says he's ready to fight on 8 June

Two-time Comrades Marathon winner Tete Dijana intends to dedicate his performance at the upcoming race on June 8 to those who stood by him in the aftermath of last year's difficult race. After clinching back-to-back victories in 2022 and 2023, Dijana missed out on a treble when he finished last year's Up Run in a disappointing fourteenth position following struggles with cramps on the route. Motivated by the support he received during that challenging time, the Down Run record holder (5:13:58), known for his resilience, will channel his ghosts from the last Comrades into a powerful display of strength and determination on race day.

"I'm going to fight for my supporters, especially those stood by me after the last Comrades. My preparations are going well. I can't make any predictions, but I'm going to fight. I don't have any fears," he told #TheTopRunner when asked about his target for the the 49th Down Run.

Dijana has exorcised the demons of Comrades 2024 and is ready for this year's Down Run on 8 June. Photo Credit: Lebogang Pita.

The Nedbank Running Club top runner joined over 1 800 runners at the inaugural MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon on May 1, to honour an invitation by the hosting club, Mamepe Striders, to be the event's ambassador. The Nedbank Running Club top runner competed in the 21.1km, finishing in 1:56:18. Giving his autopsy of the event, he said the race formed part of his Comrades preparations.

"It's fast and flat will assist me greatly in my Comrades preparations. The run today was perfect to give me the test I needed. I'm 75% ready. I will be ready on race day," he said speaking after the race in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni while the rest of his training partners were in Rustenburg before the entire Happy Bunch coached by Dave Adams headed out to a high altitude Comrades training camp in the Mpumalanga town of Dullstroom.

Dijana at the start line of the MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon on 1 May. Photo Credit: Lebogang Pita.

While the former 50km world record holder has put last year's race behind him, he admitted that it affected him mentally. Therefore, in order to avoid going into this year's race while carrying last year's demons he worked on his mental strength - a process which paid immediate dividends with victory at the TRACN4 Elands Marathon in March.

"I have to be mentally fit. What happened last year is history. If I go to the Comrades with that trauma and disappointment, I won't win. I have to be mentally prepared. Winning a race is up to the runner. It doesn't matter how prepared you are. You can be fit and still lose. So it's also about your mental preparation because mental preparation is as crucial as physical preparation," said Dijana.