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Mamabolo lines up for Om die Dam

There is something about the Old Mutual Om die Dam Marathon that gets Ludwick Mamabolo to run near to his best each time he lines up in the Hartebeespoort, North West ultra marathon tomorrow (6am).

Over the past eight years there has hardly been an Om die Dam race in which the Nedbank Running Club athlete has not finished in the top five.

Last year he finished second in 3:01:48. His big year was 2003, when he won and set a new course record.

The route has since changed and Mamabolo has set his sights on another podium finish tomorrow.

"I never race against individuals in an ultra race. Everyone who lines up alongside me can win on a good day as they must have done the similar sort of hard training as I have done and I expect them to be as hungry as I am to win," said the seasoned road warrior.

"Om die Dam is sort of a barometer for me to show whether I am on track to run a good Two Oceans and Comrades," he added.

Mamabolo is actually on a mission this year. His main goal is to reclaim the Comrades title.

He won the 2012 down-run and came second in the 2010 and 2014 down-runs.

"I know I am good enough to win the up-run [as well].

"If I do, I will make South African running history by becoming the first black athlete to win both the up-run and down-run," he said.

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