The front pack of South African ultra-running has splintered, and Nedbank Running Club has chosen a bold new racing line.
Nedbank Running Club athlete manager Nick Bester confirmed on Wednesday that reigning Comrades Marathon champion Tete Morena Dijana and former winner Edward Mothibi will not don the familiar green vest this season, marking the end of a glittering chapter in the club’s storied history.
Defending Comrades Marathon Champion Tete Dijana is set to change club colours from green to purple. Photo: Adnaan Mohamed
According to Bester, the separation came down to finances, with the athletes requesting substantial monthly stipends. These are terms Nedbank RC were unwilling to meet.
The news lands like a sharp surge on Polly Shortts. With Hollywood Athletic Club set to unveil two marquee signings on Thursday, 21 January, in Durban, the road ahead appears clearly marked. All signs suggest Dijana and Mothibi are poised to follow the well-trodden path already taken by Gerda Steyn.
Steyn, the reigning Comrades Marathon and Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon champion, has represented Hollywood AC for the past two years, becoming the gold standard of the club’s growing dominance. Now, it appears her former Nedbank teammates are ready to change lanes and tuck in behind the same pacing strategy.
“We wish to acknowledge the departure of two of South Africa’s most celebrated ultramarathoners, Tete Dijana and Edward Mothibi,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday.
“While their contracts have not been renewed due to retainer rates exceeding what the club can sustainably offer, we hold the deepest respect for their achievements and contributions to the green dream.”
Bester emphasised that the decision, while difficult, was rooted in long-term sustainability rather than short-term results.
“Our club’s legacy is built on identifying and nurturing the next generation of stars,” said Bester.
“Champions like Gerda Steyn and Irvette van Zyl, both household names in South African running, rose to prominence through the support and development opportunities that Nedbank Running Club offered them.”
“By focusing on talent identification and athlete development, we continue to set the pace for the sport nationwide.”
The announcement arrives against the backdrop of Hollywood Athletic Club’s imminent reveal of two high-profile signings in Durban on Thursday, 21 January, with strong indications that Dijana and Mothibi will follow in the footsteps of Gerda Steyn, the reigning Comrades Marathon and Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon champion, who has represented Hollywood AC for the past two seasons.
Yet while one chapter closes, Nedbank RC has already surged into the next lap.
The club proudly unveiled a wave of exciting new signings for the 2026 season, reaffirming its commitment to the future of South African athletics and its belief that long-term success is built from the ground up.
“This year, we are especially excited to unveil a strong squad from KwaZulu-Natal,” the club noted, highlighting a region “brimming with untapped potential and hunger for success.”
New recruits Sithembiso Mqhele, Musawenkosi Mthalane, Sinethemba Tshangase, Bonginkosi Mavuso, Thokozani Mbambo and Dion Ross have joined the Nedbank stable, with the club confident they possess the raw speed, resilience and ambition to thrive on the national stage.
Looking ahead to the major ultras, Nedbank RC also identified Onalenna Khonkhobe and George Kusche as leading contenders for both the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon and the iconic Comrades Marathon.
“Their performances and dedication position them among the top athletes to watch this season,” the club said.
In elite distance running, every season is a negotiation between legacy and longevity. While the departure of proven champions reshapes the immediate landscape, Nedbank Running Club has made it clear that its eyes are fixed firmly on the long road ahead.
In elite distance running, contracts are as tactical as race plans. Clubs must balance loyalty with sustainability, while athletes, operating at the narrow peak of physical prime, seek security that matches their value. When those splits no longer align, even the strongest packs break apart.
For Nedbank RC, the departures signal a strategic reset. For Hollywood AC, the imminent announcement could represent another decisive kick in an already fast-finishing season.
As the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon build-up gathers momentum, one thing is certain: the colour of contention at the front of South African ultra-running is changing, and the race narrative has possibly just found a new lead group.
