Comrades king wants to rule India

Sipho Ngomane will be following in some illustrious footsteps when he takes on the Mumbai Marathon early next year. New York Marathon winner Hendrick Ramaala is probably one of the more famous South Africans to have graced the Indian city's streets, along with the ever-popular Willie Mtolo.

But Ngomane has some pretty impressive credentials of his own, the highlight of which must be his victory in the Comrades Marathon this year.

The 24-year-old Harmony runner has been selected to participate in Mumbai on January 15 as part of the South African team in the Greatest Race on Earth.

Sponsors Standard Chartered Bank on Tuesday also announced the names of three other athletes (selected by Athletics South Africa) who will be joining Ngomane in the annual event involving team members each taking on a marathon in four different cities.

Former Two Oceans winner Mluleki Nobanda will be first up, tackling the high altitude Nairobi Marathon on October 23 before Meck Mothuli competes in Singapore on December 4. Ngomane is next up, followed by another Two Oceans and Soweto Marathon gold medallist Simon Mphulenyane who will run the Hong Kong Marathon on February 12.

With a total prize pool of about R10-million up for grabs, the South Africans will be determined to better the performance of 2004's team who finished 16th overall.

“Last year was a big learning curve,” explained Bruce Fordyce, who is managing the team along with fellow Comrades stalwart Nick Bester.

“So we are set now and know what is required. I think we have a really good chance of being in the top five in the nations challenge, if not higher.”

“I'm happy that I'm running in Mumbai because I think it's the easiest of the four and so maybe I can achieve a good time. I am preparing to run sub 2:12,” added Ngomane.

“I think the conditions in Mumbai are similar to where I train in Mpumalanga so I will be well prepared.”