The City2City Ultra Marathon saw a dominant performance in the men’s 50km, where Onalenna Khonkhobe (Nedbank Running Club CNW), Mr ‘Head Of The table,raced to victory in 2:52:01, winning by 1 minutes and 24 seconds. It seemed that the run wasn’t that hard as he treated the finish line spectators to push-ups and a dance of triumph!

“This race was good because at the race launch, I said I was going to win this race because I trust my talents. I broke away with around 9km to go and ran a pace of 2.45min/km. I respect all of these top runners, it is a very strong field but with 9km to go my speed was too fast for them to keep up.”

When asked if he was planning on running the African Bank Soweto Marathon this year to defend his title, his response was “obviously I am going to defend my title at the Soweto Marathon.”

He was well backed by his teammates, with Hillary Kipchumba (Nedbank Running Club Kenya) finishing fifth in 2:53:49, Msawenkosi Mthalane (Nedbank Running Club KZN) taking eighth in 2:55:31, and Prosper Mutwira (Nedbank Running Club Zimbabwe) rounding off the top ten in 2:57:34.

The women’s race was equally impressive, delivering a Nedbank 1–2 as Margaret Jepchumba (Nedbank Running Club Kenya) claimed the win in 3:11:14 with a gap of 7 minutes and 45 seconds ahead of 2nd place.

“ I am so grateful to have won this race. The weather was fine to run in. I didn’t think I was going to win when I started the run, but I am so happy to win today.”

Worke Degu Amena (Nedbank Running Club Ethiopia) came in at  3:18:59 to claim second place in the women's race. Elizabeth Jeruiyot Chemweno (Nedbank Running Club Kenya) ninth in 3:43:53 and Slindile Chili (Nedbank Running Club AGN) tenth in 3:44:34, ensured a strong green presence in the top ten.

In the 10km event, Naomy Jerono continued the winning streak by taking the women’s crown in 37:13, with Tebogo Mokgosinyane finishing fourth. On the men’s side, Tiisetso Mokhoma also placed a strong fourth in 31:08.

50 km (gun times):
MEN
1 Onalenna KHONKHOBE 2:52:01 (Nedbank Running Club CNW)
2 Tebogo PULUSA 2:53:25
3 Siboniso SIKHAKHANE 2:53:31
4 Cijimpi MOLOI 2:53:49
5 Hillary KIPCHUMBA (KEN) 2:54:16 (Nedbank Running Club Kenya)
6 Arthur JANTJIES 2:54:26
7 Lesetja PAPO 2:54:47 
8 Msawenkosi MTHALANE 2:55:31 (Nedbank Running Club KZN)
9 Tonny SKINK (ZIM) 2:55:45 
10 Prosper MUTWIRA (ZIM) 2:57:34 (Nedbank Running Club Durban)

WOMEN 
1 Margaret JEPCHUMBA (KEN, 40+) 3:11:14 (Nedbank Running Club Kenya)
2 Worke DEGU AMENA (ETH) 3:18:59 (Nedbank Running Club Ethiopia)
3 Shelmith MURIUKI (KEN, 40+) 3:19:45
4 Nobukhosi TSHUMA (ZIM) 3:20:58
5 Genet ADEKE AGTEW (ETH) 3:24:40 (Nedbank Running Club Ethiopia)
6 Jenet MBHELE 3:28:35
7 Mildred CHEPKEMEI KINYANJA (KEN) 3:35:18
8 Rutendo NYAHORA (ZIM) 3:41:09
9 Elizabeth Jeruiyot CHEMWENO (KEN, 40+) 3:43:53 (Nedbank Running Club Kenya)
10 Slindile CHILI 3:44:34 (Nedbank Running Club AGN)

At the Laingsburg Karoo Marathon, now in its 51st year, Selwyn Matthews topped the podium in the men’s marathon, crossing the line in 2:39:02. Over the shorter 10km distance, the club dominated yet again as Rico van der Horst took the men’s title in 31:04, while Anelisiwe Mlunguza won the women’s race in 42:46.

Further down the coast at the Great Kei Marathon, Refeloe Solomons put in a good run to finish second in the women’s marathon in 3:13:14.

In the Fish Eagle 10km Challenge, Nhlakanipho Phungula grabbed a podium spot with his third-place finish in 32:49.

Meanwhile, at the Bophelong Heritage Race, Kate van Jaarsveld celebrated victory in the women’s half-marathon with a time of 1:31:38.

The club’s younger stars were equally unstoppable at the Inter Club Fit2000 4km event, where Promise Masivuye Msitshana won the men’s title in 13:33, while the women’s race was a clean Nedbank sweep with Shanice Peens winning in 16:38, Tristan Torr close behind in second, and Kai Hattingh completing the podium in third.

The Thavhani Mall 4-in-1 Marathon was another festival of success for Nedbank athletes. In the marathon, Annie Chirisa and Tabitha Tsatsa delivered a perfect 1–2 finish in the women’s race with 3:19:14 and 3:21:14, respectively. The half-marathon produced more podium places as Isaac Moshia finished second in 1:10:02, while Makwena Kobo placed third in 1:13:08. On the women’s side, Nomsa Mutsoka claimed fourth in 1:45:21.

SPAR Grand Prix in Gqeberha brought big performances, with Diniya Abaraya finishing third overall in 32:04 and Selam Gebre securing fifth in 33:02. The age category athletes also flew the Nedbank flag high, with Nerida Lubbe and Ntombesintu Mfunzi finishing second and third in the 40–49 category, while Davera Magson placed third in the 50–59 group. Christine Claasen impressed with third in the 60–69 division, and evergreen runner Margie Saunders showed her class by winning the 70+ category in 45:06.

The Mangaung Heritage Race highlighted the exciting future of Nedbank’s juniors. Fourteen-year-old Dineo Dithakono stole the show by winning the women’s 10km, and as the top junior, with fifteen-year-old Moleboheng Mohapi finishing third overall and second junior. The men’s 10km saw strong runs from Omphile Letshabo and Thabang Mathosa, who placed second and third, respectively. In the half-marathon, Anna Moeketsi claimed the overall women’s title as well as the 40+ crown, while Chabeli Nyelimane won the men’s race with a double win in the overall and 40+ categories.

Thabang Masihleho continued his fine form at the Maruleng Half Marathon, taking first place in 1:04:50.

In Bloemfontein, Deanne Laubscher added another win for the club in the women’s race at the N1 10km with a time of 37:36.

Simphiwe Mfowetshiza ran strongly to finish fourth overall and first in his age group in the PSJ Mountain Run 10km, clocking 32:55.

The green colours were also flying high in Eswatini (Swaziland), where Musa Nsibande claimed victory at the SPAR Women’s Challenge, adding an international triumph to the weekend’s successes.

From the streets of South Africa to the trails of Eswatini, the Nedbank Running Club once again proved why it is a powerhouse in road running. With victories, podiums, and age category wins across all distances, the #GreenDreamTeam continues to inspire and dominate wherever they line up.