After a disappointing result at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon last year, Onalenna Khonkhobe is ready to make amends at the race next weekend.
Khonkhobe, who went into the 2025 race as the defending champion after his 3:09:30 finish in 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 star for nearly 12 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,” explained Khonkhobe, who is a two-time Two Oceans gold medallist who lives and trains in Klerksdorp, North West, where he is coached by Piou Mpolokeng.
Admitting 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 last April, 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, North West.
Khonkhobe did, however, line up at the Motsepe Foundation Race To Gender Equality Half Marathon at the University of Pretoria on 15 March and crossed the finish line in 1:05:07 to take second place behind Kenya’s Joseph Koech, as Bennet Seloyi completed the podium.
“I started training early in January, but I haven’t been racing much,” said Khonkhobe.
“The Motsepe race was my first real race of the year. The race was good, but around the 12th kilometre, I encountered a tough hill. I just wanted to test myself to see where my fitness for Cape Town is. Defending the Two Oceans title is not easy, so at least this year I am not the defending champion, which means there is less pressure on me. I am going to run the race freely this year.” – Sowetan Reporter
