BONGMUSA Mthembu was crowned 2014 Comrades Marathon champion on Sunday. The South African ran a time of five hours, 28 minutes and 34 seconds to triumph in front of a home crowd.

The Nedbank runner, winner of three previous gold medals in one of the world’s most famous ultra marathons, crossed the line in a time of five hours, 28 minutes and 34 seconds (5:28.34).

He finished more than four minutes ahead of Ludwick Mamabolo, the defending ‘down run’ winner from 2012 who recorded a time of 5:33.14.

Gift Kelehe, brother of 2001 winner Andrew, came third in a time of 5:34.39 with three-time former champion Stephen Muzhingi (5:35.18) of Zimbabwe fourth, followed by countryman Rufus Photo (5:35.30) fifth.

In the women’s race Elena Nurgalieva had the opportunity to record her ninth victory in the 89-kilometre race, but she dropped off the leading pace with barely six kilometres remaining, giving way to England’s Eleanor Greenwood. It’s the first time since 2005 that the race was not won by a Nurgalieva.