Comrades regular Mbhele targets top-10 finish
The runner from rural uMzimkhulu prefers to prepare for the world's largest ultra-marathon almost entirely on her own terms
While many elite runners make bold predictions ahead of the Comrades Marathon, Jenet Mbhele is keeping her ambitions simple.
“I just want to be in the top 10. That is my dream and nothing more,” said the hardworking uMzimkhulu Striders Athletics Club athlete.
Mbhele has become one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most consistent Comrades performers, but what makes her stand out is her unconventional approach to training.
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The runner from rural uMzimkhulu prefers to prepare for the world’s largest ultra-marathon almost entirely on her own terms. Unlike many top athletes who travel extensively for races and training camps, Mbhele keeps things close to home.
“When it comes to finances, I save a lot. There are no hotels and no travelling. I am based right here at home,” she said.
“Every year my training is around my hometown and I love everything about our countryside. My route around uMzimkhulu is very interesting because it has mountains, flat stretches and all sorts of small hills.”
Perhaps even more unusual is her preference for training alone. “It’s always a solo effort. I believe training alone gives me peace of mind. My training partner every day is my stopwatch. I always chase time and try to improve on my previous training performances,” she said.
Asked why she continues to train on her own during the long and demanding build-up to Comrades, Mbhele said that finding a suitable training partner has proved impossible.
A few years ago I decided to go on the road alone after battling to find a fit training partner.
I tried my clubmates and other social runners around the area, but I was always told that I am too fast and that my training is too hard.
“Being on your own is boring and sometimes lonely, but what can I do? Nobody wants to train with me. In fact, the guys are running away from me,” she laughed.
Although she may not enjoy the same international profile as some of the leading contenders, Mbhele remains one of the athletes to watch in Sunday’s Comrades Marathon. The 2026 race will be her fourth appearance in the iconic ultra-marathon and her record speaks for itself.
She announced herself with a top-10 finish on debut in the 2023 Down Run. A year later, she improved again, claiming eighth position in the 2024 Up Run.
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Last year she once more impressed, finishing seventh while holding her own against a strong international field. Those performances have established Mbhele as one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most reliable ultra-distance runners and a potential dark horse in the women’s race.
Despite her steady rise through the rankings, Mbhele remains reluctant to make bold predictions. “This year I don’t want to stress about anything or make promises,” she said.
“My training has gone very well and I am happy. My main mission is to make it into the top 10 again.”
If Mbhele succeeds, it will be yet another remarkable achievement for the quietly spoken runner who continues to prove that success can be built far away from the spotlight, on the hills and roads of rural uMzimkhulu.
