Two of South Africa’s distance-running mega-stars, Stephen Mokoka and Gerda Steyn, are race favourites for Saturday’s Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, to be run on the traditional 56km course over Chapman’s Peak and Constantia Nek, but a clutch of talented athletes from South Africa and across the borders hope to stand on the top step of the podium on race day.
Steyn is a strong favourite to add to her five Oceans titles already in her trophy cabinet. Steyn is currently the world’s top ultra-distance athlete and few would bet against her improving on her already impressive 3hr 26min 54 sec record time established last year, the predicted warm weather notwithstanding.
After two sub-par (by her own high standards) races in the second half of last year (the Paris Olympics in August and the Valencia Marathon in December), Steyn appears back to her best, having raced to a record victory in the Vaal Marathon six weeks ago, and will be eager to triumph again in a one of her favourite races.
Were it not for Steyn, her Hollywood Athletics Club teammate, Irvette van Zyl, would be a Two Oceans champion in her own right, likely with three wins under her belt. Instead, she has a perfect silver record, having finished a competitive second to Steyn every time she has competed. She is determined to keep trying but could well find more silver in Cape Town this weekend.
While Steyn and Van Zyl appear to have booked the top two podium places, the battle for the third could be intense, with the likes of former world 100km champion, Carla Molinaro and Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala best placed to clinch it while Jenna Challenor and Landie Greyling could also challenge for top positions. South African Buhle Nobukhosi Tshuma is also a major contender.
Mokoka’s star status is not in question. He has taken on and beaten many of the best on the planet over distances from 1500m to 50km, including a world record of 2:40:15 (since broken) over the latter distance at the Runified 50km Race in Gqeberha in 2022.
He has won countless national titles and set records on track, cross country and road. Many rate him South Africa’s best-ever distance athlete.
If there is uncertainty on his breaking the tape on UCT’s Green Mile shortly after 08h15 on Saturday, it is simply that he has never won before, nor completed the ultra-marathon (although the fact he dropped out of last year’s race after the marathon mark can be largely put down to his primary focus being the Olympic Marathon four months later).
Having celebrated his 40th birthday in January, some would argue his best days are behind him. But Mokoka isn’t one of them and believes he can be competitive in Saturday’s race.
“The preparations have gone well and we did all the things necessary,” Mokoka said this week. “Hopefully this year things will be different.
“My main goal is to finish the race. My second goal is to run under 3h10 minutes.”
With the winning Two Oceans Marathon times for the last three years only seconds quicker than 3 hr 10min, Mokoka is clearly focused on victory and emulating his father-in-law, the late Zithulele Sinqe, who won the first of his two Two Oceans Marathons in 1996 in 3:09:45.
The depth of talent in ultra-distance running in Africa makes a Mokoka win far from certain. Lesotho have punched above their weight at the Two Oceans over many years and Tsepo Ramashamole and Khoarahlane Seutloali will be looking to continue the Mountain Kingdom’s impressive Two Oceans Record.
Zimbabwe athletes have won the Two Oceans on no fewer than eight occasions and Lyno Muchena, Ngonidzashe Ncube and Prosper Mutwira will be out to recall the performances of Marco Mambo and Stephen Muzhingi on Saturday.
Kenyan Samson Barmao’s marathon best of 2:08:52 suggests he could contend to emulate his compatriots John Wachira and Justin Kemboi (winners in 2009 and 2018) but he posted that time 13 years ago and may struggle to keep pace with the leaders.
Scotland’s Robbie Simpson international success on road and trail could see him clinch a gold medal in his second attempt at the race.
As strong as is the international challenge, South Africans have been to the fore in recent years and the last two champions, Givemore Mudzinganyama (2023) and Onalenna Khonkhobe (2024) will be wanting to add to their past success.
Nkosikhona Mhlakwana, Siboniso Sikhakhane, Bonginkosi Zwane, Lloyd Bosman, Sithembiso Mqhele and George Kusche are among those with the ability to shoot for victory in the latter stages of the race.
The warm temperatures predicted for the weekend could prove a factor and may favour those with a more conservative race-strategy.
The Ultra-marathon gets underway on Saturday from Newlands Main Road at 05h15 with the leaders expected at UCT’s Green Mile at the finish shortly after 08h15.
The Half Marathon starts from Newlands Main Road at 06h15 on Sunday, with the front runners expected home just after 07h15.
