South African athletes delivered standout performances at the Totalsports Two Oceans ultra marathon, with Gerda Steyn extending her dominance in the women’s race and Arthur Jantjies producing a surprise victory in the men’s event on debut.
Gerda Steyn once again proved her dominance in ultra-distance running, securing her seventh consecutive victory in the women’s fifty six kilometre race. From the early stages, Steyn set a strong pace and steadily built a gap over the field, eventually crossing the finish line in a time of 3 hours, 27 minutes, and 43 seconds.
Her performance came within a minute of her own course record, which she set in 2024, further reinforcing her status as one of the leading figures in South African distance running. Steyn has become synonymous with the Two Oceans marathon, consistently delivering performances that set the benchmark for the competition.
International runners provided strong competition, with Kenya’s Pamela Jepchumba finishing second in her debut appearance at the event. Zimbabwe’s Nobukhosi Tshuma claimed third place after a determined effort to reach the finish line, highlighting the physical demands of the race.
In the men’s race, Arthur Jantjies delivered one of the most notable performances of the event, winning the fifty six kilometre race on his first attempt. Jantjies adopted a tactical approach, remaining within the leading group before making a decisive move in the closing stages.
He broke away from former champion Onalenna Khonkhobe in the final kilometres to secure victory in a time of 3 hours, 9 minutes, and 25 seconds. Khonkhobe held on to finish second, while Zimbabwe’s Blessing Waison completed the podium in third place.
The results marked a strong showing for South African athletes, who secured victory in both the men’s and women’s races against a competitive international field. This outcome highlights the continued strength of local distance running on the global stage.
Beyond the elite competition, the Two Oceans marathon once again drew significant participation and support, with thousands of runners and spectators gathering across Cape Town. The event remains one of the city’s most prominent sporting fixtures, contributing to tourism and reinforcing its reputation as a major destination for international road racing events.
Source: The Citizen – Wesley Botton
