Search

RUN247 / Running News / Trail Running News / “It was too fast too soon”- Dijana on his record breaking Comrades Marathon 2023

“It was too fast too soon”- Dijana on his record breaking Comrades Marathon 2023

Patrick Ryan
Reporter
Published on

When Tete Dijana crossed the finish line at the Comrades Marathon 2023, he not only did so as champion for the second year in a row but also as the holder of a new record time for the Down route. 

Running a 5:13:58, Dijana (of Nedbank Running Club) won the historic race- one of the world’s biggest ultrarunning events- which started in Pietermartizburg and finished nearly 87km later in Durban. 

Advertisement

Abandoned plans 

In the 2022 Comrades Marathon race, Nedbank Running Club dominated the men’s race with a carefully crafted plan and from their cohort, Dijana emerged as victor. 

But this year, pushed all the way by Dutch runner Piet Wiersma and early breakaway attempts by Ayanda Ngcobo and Japan’s Jo Fukuda, the club and Dijana had to abandon their plans and adapt on the spot. 

Tete Dijana after his 2022 Comrades Marathon win. [Photo Credit: Comrades Marathon]

“The pace at the start did not suit me,” Dijana said after the race, “it was too fast too soon. 

“I waited until halfway through the race before making my move toward the front. 

“These two guys [Ngcobo and Fukada] were very fast for us.  

“Yesterday we had a team talk and they broke our plan.” 

But Dijana was luckily able to rely on the experience of his teammate and 2019 Comrades Marathon winner Edward Mothibi about what to do. 

“I kept going to Mothibi and asking him ‘should we go?’”, Dijana explained, “He kept saying no.” 

“Later, he said we’ll go at 60km.” 

That is exactly what they did, getting into the lead in the second-half of the race. Soon after, Dijana began to break away himself as he chased down David Gatebe’s Down course record of 5:18:19 from 2016. 

Tight finish 

With Piet Wiersma closing in on Dijana as the Comrades Marathon 2023 neared its conclusion, Dijana was not just looking ahead to the finish but was also constantly checking how far away the Dutchman was. 

“I was thinking I have to conserve some energy if it comes to a sprint,” he said. 

But he held on, with Wiersma ending just three second behind the winner. 

For Dijana there was extra motiviation behind the Comrades Marathon victory, with his coach Dave Adams not being well. 

“My coach is not well, he wanted to come but the situation did not allow him,” he explained.   

“This win is also for my kids. I’ve been away for two months and they call me and say can you come home later. I am going to invest my winning for them.” 

Patrick Ryan
Written by
Patrick Ryan
Patrick is a major contributor to TRI247 and RUN247. A keen hiker with wide experience in sports journalism, he has covered the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Latest Running News

TCS London Marathon Tower Bridge
London Marathon 2025: Shane McGuigan to honour sister Danika following dad Barry’s emotional ‘I’m A Celeb’ address
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt finishes 2024 London Marathon photo credit TCS London Marathon
London Marathon 2025: Politicans on the run as 17 MPs look for PBs
Russ Cook completes his epic run across the entire length of Africa [Photo credit: The Snapshot People Ltd]
‘Hardest Geezer’ lives up to nickname with 100km PB run amid gruelling endurance challenge
Jacob Kiplimo new world record Barcelona Half Marathon 2025 credit: eDreams Mitja Marató de Barcelona by Brooks
London Marathon 2025: Start time, how to watch live and a preview of INCREDIBLE elite fields
TCS London Marathon 2024 finishers
90,000 runners and 2.3 million miles – Why Sunday 27 April will make UK running history
trail running on your terms

Never miss out with our trail alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.

The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...