Star Polish athlete out of Comrades due to injury

Cape Town - Wings for Life winner, Two Oceans runner-up and possible gold medallist at the 2018 Comrades Marathon, Poland's Dominika Stelmach, has sadly had to withdraw from this year’s Comrades due to injury.

Stelmach, who is part of the Nedbank Running Club’s Green Dream Team, and who has won four Wings for Life World Run races on four different continents, claiming the 2017 overall female winner title, was crowned the South African female champion at the Wings for Life race held last week in Pretoria.

“This was my toughest race yet. The weather was brutal, and it was really hot. I’m really happy to have won another country title and was afforded the opportunity to race in South Africa this year,” said Stelmach after reaching 49.4km before being overtaken by the Catcher Car.

Sadly things did not end well for Stelmach after the race, having picked up an injury involving a tear to her soleus muscles.

“This means about a two week break and therefore Comrades is too risky for me this year,” said Stelmach.

Her withdrawal comes as a huge disappointment as she performed brilliantly at the recent Two Oceans Ultra where she was passed by South Africa’s Gerda Steyn with about 9km to go at the top of Constantia Nek, but still managed to finish in a time of 3 hours 41 minutes and 57 seconds, roughly two minutes behind Steyn who took the title.

Stelmach vowed to be back in full force at the 2019 Comrades Marathon.