Zolani Runeli took part in the VW Herald Cycle Tour on Sunday 1 February 2009 as a practice run for the Pick n Pay Argus Cycle Tour, held in March 2009. His winning time over the 105 km route was 6.07.40. Zolani competed alongside John Marriner, who completed the 75 km race in 5.06.35. John had been ill on and off over the last 18 months and this was his first official race since the 2007 Argus.