South African ultramarathon runner Tete Dijana has emerged victorious in the prestigious 2023 Comrades Marathon for the second consecutive year, achieving a remarkable feat with a record-breaking time of 5 hours, 13 minutes, and 58 seconds.
2023 Comrades Marathon: Five things to know about Tete Dijana
Here are five important things to know about the exceptional athlete:
Record-breaking Performance
Dijana, hailing from the North West province, shattered the previous best time set by David Gatebe in 2019, surpassing it by over four minutes. Gatebe’s record of 05:18:19 was eclipsed by Dijana’s outstanding performance.
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Dominance in the Downhill Run
The 96th edition of the Comrades Marathon featured a downhill route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, spanning 87 kilometres.
Over 17 000 runners participated in this year’s race. Dijana’s exceptional skill and endurance allowed him to conquer the challenging course and emerge as the undisputed champion.
He is technically still a newbie in marathon racing
Dijana’s first participation in the Comrades Marathon was in 2019, where he — believe it or not 00 finished in 50th place at a time of 06:25:03.
He is a member of the Nedbank Running Club
In 2022, Dijana joined the revered Nedbank Running Club which boasts elite athletes like Onalenna Khonkhobe, the young runner from Klerksdorp, Edward Mothibi, Dan Matshailwe, Johannes Makgetla and Joseph Manyedi.
Dijana’s Journey
Tete Morena Dijana, born in 1988, originally hails from Mahikeng in the North West province.
He made a significant career shift by leaving his job as a security guard at North-West University to focus on his passion for running. Dijana’s breakthrough came in the 2019 Comrades Marathon, where he finished 50th and earned a silver medal. Joining the Nedbank Running Club in 2022 provided him with additional support and opportunities for growth.
Tete Dijana’s remarkable achievements in the Comrades Marathon serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, highlighting the importance of perseverance, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of one’s goals.
His record-breaking triumph in the 2023 edition of the race solidifies his position among South Africa’s elite ultramarathon runners, cementing his legacy as a true champion.
