For the "Green Dream Team," this isn't just another race; it is a high-stakes tactical mission. Leveraging the route’s legendary coastal descent, these experienced contenders will use the marathon to sharpen their speed, gauge their endurance, and solidify their status as the ones to beat as the South African ultra-marathon season begins to heat up.

With the Peninsula course known for its honest demand and the ever-present possibility of a testing south-easter wind, Nedbank’s leading men and women will be balancing ambition with bigger-picture preparation.

Kusche chasing a PB run

George Kusche enters the race riding a wave of early-season momentum, backed by the undeniable confidence of a consistent winning streak. While his personal bests, a 1:04:53 half-marathon (Gqeberha, 2024) and a 2:20:12 marathon (Cape Town, 2024) highlight his impressive range across distances, it is his clinical recent performances that have truly established him as the man to watch.

Kusche enters the Peninsula Marathon riding a wave of early-season dominance. Having already secured back-to-back victories at the Biogen 21km (1:05:32) and the Intercare Classic Half Marathon (1:06:04), he arrives in Cape Town with a tactical sharpness that suggests a major breakthrough over the full 42.2km distance.

Despite the high-mileage focus of his current conditioning, Kusche views this weekend as a critical barometer for his progress toward the season’s ultimate goals. “I am feeling good and positive about the race. It’s a good stepping stone to Comrades,” he said.

While much of his recent block has been geared toward grueling ultra-marathon preparation, his objective for Sunday remains centered on raw performance. “My goal is to run a personal best time,” Kusche declared. “I am looking forward to showcasing my fitness.”

Mqhele targets a strong Two Oceans build-up

Sithembiso Mqhele brings a formidable combination of raw marathon speed and deep Cape Town experience to the start line. With a personal best of 2:18:33 set at the 2021 Cape Town Marathon, Mqhele has already proven he possesses the elite efficiency required to dominate on coastal routes when the conditions and execution align.

For Mqhele, the Peninsula Marathon is a calculated strike in a much larger campaign: the build-up to the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra. Having used this race as a launchpad for multiple Top-10 finishes at Two Oceans, he views the point-to-point course as a mandatory proving ground. Heading into the weekend, his confidence is steady: “I’m feeling good,” he confirmed.

While the route offers speed, Mqhele remains a realist regarding the Cape’s unpredictable elements. “I’m happy to compete in Peninsula Marathon, although it is a windy race, but I hope this time the weather is good and I’m ready for it,” he said. Prepared for the elements and backed by years of success on these roads, Mqhele remains a primary threat in the elite field.

Challenor returns to a race she loves in preparation for Comrades

A veteran of the international circuit with a marathon pedigree of 2:36:50 (Valencia) and a fast 1:14:12 half-marathon personal best, Jenna Challenor returns to the Peninsula as the defending champion. For Challenor, Cape Town is familiar hunting ground, and she arrives with the backing of a powerhouse team. “I’m super excited to race this weekend,” she said. “I love Cape Town and racing here, and I’m very grateful to my club Nedbank for giving me this opportunity.”

Her preparation has been forged in the humidity of a grueling Durban training block spanning November through January. Having sharpened her racing instinct at the Bay to Bay earlier this year, Challenor is ready to face the Peninsula’s notorious elements. “I’ve done the Peninsula Marathon twice into a nasty South Easter, so I’m really hoping this year we’re blessed with a gentler wind,” she noted, banking on her experience to navigate the point-to-point coastal route.

While her sights are firmly set on the Comrades Marathon in June, Challenor views this weekend as a critical assessment of her current conditioning. “It’s part of the bigger process and builds toward the Comrades Marathon in June,” she explained. “I’d like to run a firm, solid race that I’m proud of.” With her long-time coach on the sidelines and her husband in attendance, the weekend represents a high-stakes blend of professional execution and personal motivation. For Challenor, the Peninsula is about more than just the clock—it’s about delivering a statement performance on the road to June.

What to watch on race day

With Kusche’s early-season sharpness, Mqhele’s ultra-proven strength, and Challenor’s experience and affection for the Peninsula stage, Nedbank Running Club will have multiple storylines worth following. If the wind stays quiet, the racing could light up. If it doesn’t, the day will reward patience, toughness, and smart execution, qualities this squad has in abundance.