Claude Moshiywa says he's gutted to miss this year's Comrades Marathon

This year’s 87km down-run will start at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finish at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Sunday, 11 June.

Moshiywa achieved victory in the 2013 edition of the race, completing it in 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 9 seconds while representing the Nedbank Running Club.

Moshiywa has collected five gold medals in this prestigious ultra-marathon, and he could not hide his disappointment at missing this year’s event after the doctor told him not to run.

He says he's lucky to be alive after injuring his knee and sustaining scratches on his head, resulting in him taking a few weeks from his day job as a bank teller at Nedbank.

“I injured my knee, and I have scratches on my head. I am lucky to be alive. The accident happened at the end of March, and I took a couple of weeks off work to focus on my recovery. I am getting better. I love running in the Comrades, but this year I will not run it. The accident shook me a little bit,” said Moshiywa.

It’s a shorter distance after the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) reduced the route by three kilometres.

Moshiywa believes the shorter distance may benefit the runners.

“It will be a tactical race, and I believe the winners will come from my club (Nedbank Running Club). We will dominate the top ten. The shorter distance could favour them, “added Moshiywa, who returned to work last week.