Dominance at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon

The past weekend belonged to the Green Team as the Nedbank Running Club descended upon the Mother City for the prestigious Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon. In a display of grit, strategy, and world-class athleticism, our runners secured podium finishes across the trail, half marathon, and ultra-marathon distances, reaffirming the club's status as a powerhouse in distance running.

Expo & Pre-Race: Building Momentum

Nedbank Running Club Celebrates Avanti x Biogen Collaboration

The expo at the CTICC was a hub of high-performance energy, reaching new heights this year. The Nedbank Running Club was proud to join our sponsor at the Biogen stand for the official announcement of an exciting new collaboration: Avanti Coffee x Biogen.

As a club that prides itself on the "More Than A Club" philosophy, our athletes were right in the heart of the action to help bring this partnership to life. The synergy between Avanti and Biogen—combining premium coffee with functional, wellness-driven ingredients—adds genuine value to the daily routines of both professional and social runners alike.

"Seeing our athletes engage with these new solutions and hearing the excitement from the running community was a proud moment for the club," noted a Nedbank Running Club representative. "This partnership feels relevant and easy to integrate into a high-performance lifestyle."

Sponsorship & Preparation

The energy didn't stop with the coffee! Our athletes headed over to the Nike stand, which was absolutely electric. From high-octane treadmill speed challenges that tested the bravest runners to a premium recovery zone designed to soothe tired muscles, Nike’s activations were a masterclass in sport and style.

On the logistics front, we moved in style thanks to our incredible sponsors at NMI. We were honored to take part in the official vehicle handover; these high-performance wheels powered the Green Dream Team across the city all weekend, ensuring our athletes arrived at every destination refreshed, on time, and ready to conquer the course.

The pre-race hype reached fever pitch on Friday morning during the Elite Shakeout Run. There’s nothing quite like the sight of the #GreenDreamTeam fully kitted out and taking over the Cape Town promenade. The sea of green against the Cape Town coastline was a powerful reminder of our unity as our athletes loosened up their legs, shared a few laughs, and dialed in their focus for the weekend races ahead.

Totalsports Two Oceans Trail Run

The weekend’s successes began on the rugged terrain of the trail runs. In the 24km men’s race, Collin Kanyimo proved to be in a league of his own, winning in 02:02:07.

Kanyimo expressed immense satisfaction with the win, noting, “My plan was to run away on the up runs, I am stronger there... I pushed on the up runs to open a big gap. I knew when I reached the down runs I could just relax. The route was nice - challenging and tough. I am very happy to finish first this year.”

He was well-supported by Thabang Elias Madiba (6th). On the women’s side, Rethabile Kanono finished 9th, while Tanya Posthumus-Fox delivered a stellar performance to finish as the 7th Open Lady (3rd in W40-49).

Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon (56km)

The 56km Ultra Marathon saw a thrilling battle. In the men’s elite field, Onalenna Khonkhobe claimed a magnificent 2nd place in 03:10:00.

Reflecting on his journey, Khonkhobe shared, "This year, I was doing better than last year, I was so happy... My mind was telling me that 'You will win the Two Oceans Marathon.' At 53km, Arthur Jantjies passed me. Arthur is very fast, that boy is powerful." Despite being overtaken late, he remained positive, adding, "This year I felt good because I didn't have any cramps... Two Oceans is my favourite race... I will continue to try to dominate this race."

Elite Men’s Results:

• Onalenna Khonkhobe (03:10:00) - 2nd
• Denis Kipkosgei (03:11:29) - 4th
• Msawenkosi Mthalane (03:13:32) - 10th
• Victor Chepkwony (3:15:03)
• Jackson Ole Koisenge (3:15:48)
• Lloyd Bosman (3:15:50)
• Puseletso Mofokeng (3:15:54)

Ultra Men Team Results:

• 2nd Overall Team: Nedbank Running Club KZN (13:12:33)
  (Athletes: M. Mthalane, P. Sibeko, S. Mqhele, B. Mavuso)

The Nedbank women were equally formidable, led by Margaret Jepchumba in 2nd place (03:33:31).

Jepchumba stated, "I am very happy with my position today. The race was tough but my training in Kenya prepared me well for the hills of Cape Town. I wanted to push for the win, but I am satisfied with second place against such a strong field."

Elite Women’s Results:

• Margaret Jepchumba (3:33:31) – 2nd
• Mildred Kinyanja (3:42:42) – 6th
• Bize Negasa (3:43:00) – 7th
• Loveness Madziva (3:48:54) – 10th
• Deanné Laubscher (3:51:34) – 2nd South African Lady
• Dikeledi Majara (3:52:33)
• Maretha Smit (3:56:54)
• Ilse Marais (4:04:27)

Ultra Female Team Results:

• 1st Overall Team: Nedbank Running Club CPT (16:33:39)
• 3rd Overall Team: Nedbank Running Club Central Gauteng (17:16:47)

Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon (21km)

Lovina Haitope went unchallenged to win the women’s race in 1:14:36, followed by Fortunate Chidzivo in 2nd.

Haitope confirmed her strategy: “It was tough. It was very hilly. I’m happy with my time. I decided to go early because the pace was too slow... I had to pick up the pace because they were running 3:30 min/km."

Notable Finishes:

• Women 1st: Livinia Haitope (01:14:36)
• Women 2nd: Fortunate Chidzivo (01:16:29)
• Women 12th: Shanice Peens (01:25:28)
• Men 4th: George Kusche (1:04:11) – 1st South African
• Men 7th: Thabang Mosiako (1:04:55)
• Men 18th: Given Makgoba (01:07:46)
• Men 20th: Simon Sibeko (01:08:20)

Half Marathon Female Team Results:

• 2nd Overall Team: Nedbank Running Club Central Gauteng (06:26:07)

Post-Race Success

The energy continued at the Nedbank Club Tent, where our sponsor Nike hosted an amazing activation that was an absolute hit with runners and fans alike.

The exceptional results from this weekend highlight the incredible depth of talent within the Nedbank Running Club, ranging from our elite podium finishers to our dedicated age-group champions. By conquering the grueling climbs and iconic passes of the Cape, our athletes have once again demonstrated the spirit of excellence and resilience that defines the Green Team. We congratulate every runner who donned the club colors at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon and look forward to carrying this immense momentum from the Mother City into the remainder of the racing season.

Following the excitement of the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD - and with many of us now experiencing post-race withdrawal - please find below links to the:

Various videos edited between 25 March and 12 April.

1. 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD - Sponsor and Stakeholders appreciation: https://youtu.be/Ks0tEKScowM
2. 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD - Press Conference Video: https://youtu.be/kRGGVBC60GI
3. 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD - Press Conference Video: https://youtu.be/IE-0BEZpaq4
4. 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD - Blue Number Club appreciation: https://youtu.be/p61ORLgrRTc
5. HIGHLIGHTS - 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD / Elite Race: https://youtu.be/RlMV_2BL8Gg
6. HIGHLIGHTS - 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD / Elite Race: https://youtu.be/oZvxTHIR-ew

Photo Highlights on Facebook:

1. 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD / International Friendship Run: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1384672753687670&type=3
2. 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Trail Run powered by BYD: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1385548323600113&type=3
3. 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1386443850177227&type=3
4. Aerial Shots - 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1389535439868068&type=3
5. 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1388596556628623&type=3
6. Aerial Shots - 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1389518493203096&type=3

Excitement Building as Comrades Marathon celebrates 60 Days to Race Day

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: With just two months to go until the 2026 edition of the Comrades Marathon on the 14th of June, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) can announce that preparations for the 99th edition of the race are moving forward smoothly, with a healthy blend of tradition and innovation. While the runners preparing for the approximately 87km ultra-marathon between Durban and Pietermaritzburg are putting in their final big month of training mileage (and some are running their qualifying marathon before the qualifying cut-off on 4 May), the CMA and its Race Organising Committee (ROC) are hard at work with the planning and logistical preparation that goes into this iconic event.

“It’s hard to believe that we’re now just two months away from race day, but thanks to the dedication and hard work of the CMA staff and all the volunteers on our ROC, in conjunction with our terrific sponsors and partners, the race is coming together exactly as we planned,” says Race Director Sue Forge. “We are blessed to have so many combined years of invaluable experience in our team, and it is testament to their dedication and passion for this race that runners can look forward to another great race in June.”

“This 2026 edition of the race is going to feature several innovations at the Expo and race pack collection, the Start in Durban, on the route, and at the Finish in Pietermaritzburg, designed to enhance the experience for the runners while also improving safety and smoothing the flow of runners through all parts of the race,” continues Forge. “We’ll be announcing more details in the coming weeks, but for now, we need our runners to focus on ensuring that their entry profiles are complete, as there are still many who need to submit information to the CMA in order to qualify to line up in Durban on 14 June.”

Deadline Looming for Qualifiers and Updates
On that, Forge has issued an urgent call for all participating runners to take heed of the upcoming 4 May deadline for finalising their entries and confirming their participation in the 2026 race. “In order to qualify to start the race, runners need to adhere to all the qualifying criteria, which include submitting their qualifying information, completing the compulsory medical questionnaire, and updating their entrant profile by no later than 4 May 2026,” she says.

“Qualifying details and medical questionnaires will not be accepted under any circumstances after that date, and incomplete entries will be rejected, so we urge runners to complete the entry process via their online entry profile on the Comrades Marathon website or app. We don’t want any runners to lose the opportunity to earn a Comrades medal because they missed an administrative deadline,” she continues. “It is the runner’s responsibility to check their details and entry confirmation before 4 May 2026, and runners should request their club administrator or secretary to assist if they are unable to do so themselves.”

Elite Race Shaping to Be a Classic
Meanwhile, news from the elite race in terms of runners confirming their place on the start line sees the 2026 race shaping up to be another hotly contested competition. For starters, many of the top 10 men and women from the 2025 race will be lining up once again in 2026, hoping to add another gold to their medal collection, including both defending champions – three-time men’s winner Tete Dijana and four-time women’s winner Gerda Steyn (both of South Africa).

Dijana will be looking to win the Up Run for the first time, having won the Down Run in 2022, 2023 and 2025. (The 2022 and 2023 races were both run ‘down’ following the disruptions of the COVID pandemic.) However, he will likely face tough competition from his perennial rival, Dutchman Piet Wiersma, who won the last Up Run in 2024, and finished second behind Dijana in both 2023 and 2025. Another two former South African winners are amongst the returning 2025 gold medallists – Edward Mothibi (2019) and David Gatebe (2016) – and they will be joined by SA’s Gordon Lesetedi, Alex Milne of the UK, and Nikolai Volkov to make it seven returning top 10 men thus far.

In the women’s race, Steyn will be looking to claim her fifth win, and fourth in a row since 2023, and she will be running full of confidence, having recently won the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD for the seventh consecutive time, dominating the Cape Town race and once again making it look easy. Also confirmed to be lining up in Durban will be the familiar faces of 2025 gold medallists Irvette van Zyl (South Africa), Dominika Stelmach (Poland), Carla Molinaro (UK), Courtney Olsen (USA) and Melissah Gibson (UK).

“We still have a number of top runners who must confirm their participation, so the final elite field will be announced after the qualifying window closes on 4 May, but we can already see that this should be another thrilling race, not just in terms of returning gold medallists, but also with the addition of a number of very fast marathoners from both South Africa and abroad, as well as world-class 100km competitors,” says Forge. “With a combined prize purse of R5,791,840, in addition to a further R1,242,000 up for grabs in various incentives for record times or pace, the top runners really have something to race for this year, and we’re looking forward to seeing who claims the podium spots and prize purse.”

WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT: ANTHONY GRENDON - So close… yet history was still made!

NEW SAMA + AFRICAN RECORD:
M65 1500m - 4:39.94

Perfect conditions greeted 10 Masters athletes at the prestigious Cape Milers event in Stellenbosch on Friday evening, 10 April 2026. The field came together in full support of Nedbank Running Club’s Anthony Grendon, all aligned in the mission to bring the M65 1500m World Record to South Africa.

Guided by his pacemakers and right on world record pace, Anthony rounded the final bend — “like poetry in motion,” as described by the commentator — charging down the home straight in pursuit of history.

He stopped the clock at an incredible 4:39.94, narrowly missing the World Record of 4:39.15 by just 0.79 seconds.
In the process, Anthony further lowered both the SAMA and African records, a remarkable achievement and a testament to his dedication and consistency.

While the World Record just slipped through his grasp, Anthony remains resilient, focused, and determined. The mission is far from over… the chase continues.

Nedbank Running Club Green Mile - 16 May 2026

Balwin Properties False Bay 50km

Botshabelo Road Race - 30 May 2026