Nedbank running clubs Dominika Stelmach returns for Comrades
Toeing the line on Sunday morning for the return of the Comrades Marathon last run in 2019 will be Nedbank running club’s Dominika Stelmach who hails from Poland and is a serious threat to take victory in the lady’s race. After a debut run finishing 4th in that last Comrades back in 2019, Stelmach returns for the down run and the Pole is a highly experienced ultra-distance runner who has excelled not only on the road, but the tough trail running scene to which makes her a force to be reckoned with.
South Africa has also been very kind to Stelmach in terms of running results. In 2019 Stelmach finished 4th in the Two Oceans 56km, following that up with her 5th place Comrades finish. She then returned later in the year for the extremely tough UCT 100km trail race where she found herself on the podium finishing 3rd in a highly competitive trail event. In 2021 Stelmach returned to the country for the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km and ran a Polish national record in a quick 3:10:26. With the speed and tough endurance background, Stelmach has the pedigree to win.
“I definitely feel Dominika is someone to watch out for on race day,” said Nick Bester, former Comrades Marathon winner and National team manager of the Nedbank running club. “The women’s race is very open this year and with Dominika’s speed and trail background, it is the perfect fit for a race like Comrades, especially when the legs take such a pounding on a down run like this year.”
Arriving in Durban today, Stelmach was looking forward to relaxing ahead of race day and the good weather. “I’m looking forward to some nice weather and of course the race,” said Stelmach to the Nedbank running club management. For Sunday, predicted temperatures show a cool 18 degrees, perfect for the front runners in terms of running fast. Stelmach also boasts a marathon personal best of 2:36:45 from the Debno Marathon in Poland last year which makes her one of the quickest marathon ladies on the start line.
The 2022 Comrades Marathon returns after a 3-year break due to the Covid19 pandemic and is a down run starting at 5:30 on Sunday morning outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and finishing at the Moses Mabhida stadium 90km later in Durban. The Nedbank running club has a strong elite team including the defending champion Edward Mothibi and a big number of social runners taking part, making it one of the biggest running clubs represented on Sunday.