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Harmony runners hunt Comrades' gold
22/05/2004 20:08 - (SA)
LESIBA LANGA
RUNNERS from Harmony Gold have good reason to prepare well for this year's world-famous Comrades Marathon on June 16.
The runner who crosses the finishing line first - and in record time will - pocket over R1 million in cash and other incentives.
Harmony Gold manager Nic Bester added that a R350 000 gold-plated trophy would also be awarded to the winner.
This year's event, dubbed the "The Ultimate Human Race", will be the uphill run - held on Youth Day.
It starts at the Durban Post Office at 5.30 am and ends at the new finishing line at The Oval in Alexandra Park, Pietermaritzburg.
No one knows the gruelling marathon better than former stalwart and 1991 winner Bester who predicts a tough race this year.
"Most teams are bringing in world-class runners and those entering as individuals are well-prepared."
Bester said his team had been training hard for the past three weeks in the mountains near Pilgrims Rest in Mpumalanga.
"We have been busy building endurance and stamina in the mountain . . . as well as ensuring the guys are well conditioned for the race.
Bester said his team would utilise the few weeks left before the race to concentrate on speed work.
"Pretoria is perfect. It has these flat roads where the guys can set fast times and improve their speed.
"These guys are well aware this is an opportunity to become rich, and also become household names.
"We have employed a psychiatrist to strengthen the runners' minds," added Bester.
Harmony, which provided last year's third-placed Joseph Molaba, veteran Willie Motolo and Sarah Mentoor, finished last year's downhill race with three in the top 10
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Rugby
