Piloso, Wayland favourites for Washie

The notorious Washie 100-mile ultra-marathon (160.9km) will start from Port Alfred on Friday night - its 34th running - and any one of four athletes have a reasonable chance of breasting the tape on Saturday morning at the home of the host club, Buffalo Road Runners, in East London.

Last year's winner, Mogale Piloso, who is based at Simonstown Naval Base in the Western Cape, returns this year to defend his title.

He was second in 2007 and third in 2008. Last year he had little opposition, finishing in 16 hours, two minutes and 37 seconds, but 2008 winner Vanessa Wayland, who is the only female to have won the race and was second overall last year, is likely to put up a strong challenge.

John Magagane, the winner in 2002, 2004 and 2006, returns for his 10th run, and he and East London favourite David Duffey will also be in with a chance.

The race follows a tough course, with the runners on the road from 5pm on Friday and chasing a cut-off time of 26 hours.

Over the years the number of runners has dwindled and for this reason the organisers have instituted a new 50-mile (80.4km) race, called the Griffin 50, which will start at the half-way point at 5am on Saturday.

"We are hoping that some runners, who may be a bit scared of the 100-miler, will try the 50 this year and then run the big one later," said organiser Arthur Brindley.

Duffy will run his 21st consecutive Washie, having completed 19 of them, and having finished fourth last year and in the top 10 a total of 16 times. He's never won it, however, and is eager to break that drought this year.

"It's a dream of mine; my one great ambition," Duffy said. "I've been training hard and at 49 years old I know I haven't got much time left, so I hope I can do it this year."