Nedbank Running Club Athletes to watch at the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans

Khonkhobe has a score to settle at the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon

After a disappointing result at the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon last year, Onalenna Khonkhobe is ready to make amends at the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD on Saturday 11 April 2026.

Khonkhobe, who went into the 2025 race as the defending champion after his 3:09:30 finish on 13 April 2024, looked likely to win a second 56km title in The Mother City as he went through the 50km mark with the lead bunch. But after battling with cramps while running down the descent from Constantia Nek, he was forced to abandon his challenge as he dropped out with less than 6km to go and failed to finish the race. It’s a performance that has haunted the Nedbank Running Club (Central Northwest, Klerksdorp) star for nearly twelve months, leaving him eager to set things right.

“I would like to win the Two Oceans like I did in 2024. Last year I couldn’t even make it into the top 10,” explains Khonkhobe, who is a two-time Two Oceans gold medalist who lives and trains in Klerksdorp where he is coached by Piou Mpolokeng.

In order to achieve this goal, the 2025 City2City 50km Marathon champion has been training hard since the season began. Admitting that he was guilty of too much racing in 2025, the top runner who also placed third at the African Bank Soweto Marathon in November and won the Prince Mangosuthu 52km Ultra Marathon on 27 April 2025, has raced sparingly this year. 

“I made the mistake of over-racing last year and I made the decision not to repeat that mistake again,” shares the 30-year-old who hails from Taung in the Northwest Province.

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Mosiako eyes eighth Gold and Second Win at Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon 

In a powerful statement of his intent to reclaim the title he lost to Bennet Seloyi last year, Thabang Mosiako has delivered a pair of eye-catching performances that have put his rivals on notice ahead of the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD on Sunday, 12 April 2026.

Competing at the Northern Cape’s premier half marathon, the Nedbank Running Club star stunned the crowd at the Kimberley Boys High School by clocking 1:04:37 to win the 2026 Phakamile Mabija Human Rights Half Marathon on Human Rights Day.

“What a great race,” exclaimed Thabang Mosiako, reflecting on his dominant 1 minute and 23 second victory over Nedbank teammate Joel Mmone, which earned him a new course record. “The road was smooth and safe, it was well organised and everything was indeed perfect. Overall, I am happy with my performance.”

The 31-year-old’s triumph came just a fortnight after he clocked 1:00:44 - the third fastest 21km time of his career - to take third place at the HOKA Paris Half Marathon on 8 March. The 2023 SA Half Marathon Champion and third fastest South African half marathoner of all time, produced that effort in the French capital barely three months after grabbing fifth place (2:10:49) at the Abu Dhabi Marathon last December, having run 2:09:14 on his marathon debut at the same race a year earlier. Mosiako attributes his superlative current form to being a year wiser on his marathon journey.

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Kusche focused on the process ahead of the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon

While his form over the past twelve months suggests he should line up as one of the pre-race favourites, George Kusche remains measured and focused ahead of the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon on Sunday, 12 April 2026.

The Nedbank Running Club star has firmly positioned himself as one of the athletes to watch in 2026 after claiming fourth position (2:20:48) at the African Bank Soweto Marathon in November last year, setting a new course record and winning the hilly Biogen 21k in Johannesburg in January in 1:05:32, and smashing his personal best by more than five minutes for a dominant 2:15:02 victory at the Balwin Run Series Peninsula Marathon on 15 February.

“I've been slowly getting better. I haven't changed anything in my training, I've just been doing what I’ve been doing and it's compounding. So I’ve been feeling stronger,” said Kusche.

The upward trend can be traced back more than a decade, when the now 27-year-old first emerged as a prolific middle-distance athlete at Die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria. His dominance made Kusche the target of American college scouts who recruited him to Northern Arizona University where he competed on the highly competitive US College NCAA Circuit returning as a sub-4-minute miler and the holder of a 13:28.95 5000m personal best.

“I’m very grateful for my experience in the US. I enjoyed it a lot and had some good experiences with some great coaches and athletes. I’m coaching myself now, so it certainly helps me to look back at the training I did and try and recreate those circumstances.”

Upon returning to the land of his birth, Kusche initially took a break from running in 2023 and then started racing again in 2024 - this time on the road where he enjoyed almost immediate success. Making his debut at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon in April 2024, just seven days after running a career-best 28:56 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K, Kusche led until the halfway mark before being overtaken by eventual winner Thabang Mosiako. He secured the runner-up position in 1:05:31 after narrowly edging Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo on the line, describing his maiden Two Oceans experience as unlike any other.

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Chidzivo targets gold in first Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon return since 2022 victory

Renowned Zimbabwean long-distance athlete Fortune Chidzivo is eager to add to her impressive track record when she makes her fourth appearance at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD on Sunday, 12 April 2026.

As Zimbabwe’s current half marathon record holder (1:10:50), Chidzivo will line up confident that her preparations have positioned her well to challenge her rivals and contend for another gold medal.

"So far, I don't have any complaints. The preparations for the race have been going well. I always find the route tough, especially in the first half,” said Chidzivo, hinting at the infamous 2km climb up Southern Cross Drive where the outcome of the 21km race is often decided. “I’m lucky enough that my coach (Edwin Chimombo) has run the course so it makes it easy for me to prepare for the race." 

Chidzivo who celebrated her 39th birthday on March 16, will start as one of the most experienced and successful Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon elite female campaigners. Having competed three times, Chidzivo boasts two gold medals including a remarkable 1:14:48 victory in the 2022 edition, where she demonstrated tremendous bravery to lead the field from start to finish despite feeling ill the day before. That day four years ago remains one of her most cherished memories.

"That win came unexpectedly,” she reveals. “It was one of my biggest wins of my career. I was over the moon. The joy I experienced felt like I flew up to the sky and back to earth again. It was also a special moment to win and see my husband waiting at the finish line to welcome me," shares Chidzivo who recently joined the Nedbank Running Club.

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Nedbank running club Supports OPERATION SMILE in this years Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon

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A Weekend of Records and Podium Dominance

The past weekend proved to be an exceptional showcase of talent for the Nedbank Running Club, as our athletes secured top honors across a variety of distances. From record-breaking performances on the track to commanding victories on the road, the "Green Team" continues to set the gold standard in South African distance running.

At the Westrand Marathon, the men’s 21.1km saw a stellar performance by George Kusche, who claimed victory in 01:06:35, with Xolisa Tyali taking third and Ayanda Yebe finishing ninth. Helene Van Rooyen represented the ladies with a strong fourth-place finish in the half-marathon, while Kate Van Jaarsveld secured third in the 10km event. Meanwhile, at the NMC Fast One, Chrizell Roberts demonstrated elite endurance to win the women's 42.2km marathon in a swift 02:57:13.

The Makoro Village Marathon saw Gladys Jepchirchir lead the charge, taking first place in the women's marathon in 03:09:13, followed closely by Keganneng Mokgosinyane in third and Rebecca Nakuwa in fourth. The men’s marathon squad showed immense strength in numbers, with Samuel Ndaire Njuguna leading five Nedbank finishers in the top ten with his third-place podium. In the shorter distances at Makoro, Makgoba Given claimed victory in the 10km in 00:30:26, with Alex Aphane finishing third.

In Durban, the Durban City Marathon results highlighted the consistency of our elite roster. Nonhle Dlamini took second place in the women's marathon in 03:08:55, with Nokuthula Ntshangase finishing fourth. Fikile Mbuthuma continued her podium streak with a third-place finish in the 21.1km, while Victor Lapit proved untouchable in the 10km, claiming first place in 00:30:58. Nkosinathi Khanyeza added to the tally with a fifth-place finish in the men's half-marathon. Finally, at the Swasap Race, Thabang Mathosa upheld the club's winning reputation by taking the top spot in the men's 10km.

On the track and in age-category competitions, the club’s veteran athletes delivered fantastic results. At the SPAR Women’s Challenge in Cape Town, the legendary Margie Saunders continues to defy the limits of time; competing in the 70-79 category, Saunders secured first place in her age group and shattered her own South African record by 14 seconds with a remarkable time of 44:24. She was well-supported by teammate Charmaine Cupido, who took third in 52:46. The club’s depth was further illustrated by Este van Tonder and Elme Middlemost, who claimed a 1-2 finish in the 40-49 category, while Nerida Lubbe (50-59) and Dalene Sonnekus (60-69) both secured second-place finishes in their respective divisions. In the U20 category, Kezia Matthysen earned a podium spot with a third-place finish in 41:29.

Further success was found at the SAMA Gauteng North 5000m at Pilditch, where Ingrid Koster claimed the title of first Master lady. Not to be outdone in versatility, Dalene Sonnekus transitioned to the track to smash the W60 Steeplechase 2000m record; her time of 08:54.88 comfortably surpassed the previous record of 09:12.60.

These results underscore a highly productive weekend for the Nedbank Running Club, characterized by consistency and elite performance across all distances. The sheer volume of podium finishes and the establishment of new national marks serve as a clear indicator of the current form and depth within our ranks. As we move into the next phase of the racing calendar, the club remains focused on maintaining this standard of excellence and building on the professional success achieved by our athletes this past week.

COMRADES ENTRIES: DON'T FORGET TO UPDATE YOUR PROFILE!

To qualify and participate in the 2026 Comrades Marathon, runners need to adhere to all the qualifying criteria. This includes submitting all your qualifying information, updating your entrant profile and completing the entire entry process by no later than 4 May 2026. Qualifying details and medical questionnaires will NOT be accepted under any circumstances after that date. All of this must be done via your online entry profile on the Comrades Marathon website or app.

Qualifying Criteria

• All runners must run at least one qualifying race between 9 June 2025 and 4 May 2026. Your qualifying race must be at least 42.2km long, and must meet the Comrades Marathon qualifying criteria.
• All runners must complete the compulsory medical questionnaire. This helps runners assess their health, seek medical advice if needed, and take responsibility for their wellbeing. It is an essential safeguard that supports runners, medical teams, and the CMA, ensuring better preparedness and enabling appropriate care on race day.
• South African runners must submit their club’s name and 2026 permanent licence number.

Incomplete entries will be rejected, and runners who have not completed these steps will not be allowed to collect a race number at Race Pack Collection, or take part in the event. Runners must submit or update their details by either updating their online entry profile, emailing the CMA office, or by requesting their club administrator to do so. It is the runner’s responsibility to check their details and entry confirmation before 4 May 2026.

Red hot news

Nedbank Running Club members get 15% discount with Biogen online orders.

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