Before this years Comrades marathon defending champion Leonid Shvetsov, made it clear it was going to be his last run before focusing on his family and medical practise back home in Russia.
On the day it was apparent things did not go to his well laid out plan, he was suckered into chasing too hard in the middle of the race, something he swore he would not do.
"I will be running my own race," he said before the start.
After being beaten by Zimbabwean Stephen Muzhingi by almost a ten minute margin in a race that had him as odds on favourite to win, he once again stated that was that and he would not be seen again on the road between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
It would now seem things have changed - long time friend and former agent of the Mr Price club, Ray de Vries, is adamant Shvetsov will be back next year.
"I had lunch with him the day before the race and we discussed his future - trust me he will line up next year."
De Vries was, however, cagey about how this would all pan out, but it is rumoured he has secured a sponsor to entice Shvetsov back to the race.
"I cannot release any details as yet, there are still a few things to be sorted out, but believe me, he has it in him to break the record again.
"Leonid has the distinction of coaching a Russian runner to break his (Shvetsov's) own Russian marathon record. He loves South Africa and is keen to help find a home-grown South African champion, but for now he needs to correct this year.
The truth is even with his experience, he broke the golden rule - "you cannot go for the record until you have the race in the bag", said De Vries. - Sapa