'I'm very happy' - Khonkhobe and Khatala triumph at africanbank Soweto Marathon
Onalenna Khonkhobe danced over the finish line after claiming a maiden victory at the africanbnak Soweto Marathon. Running in his very first People’s Race, the man who also won his first Totalsports Two Oceans 56km title in April, produced a memorable performance as he overtook Lesotho's Joseph Seutloali inside the final kilometre to stop the clock in 2:18:36 - the fastest men’s wining time since 2019. Khonkhobe who hails form the Taung in the North West province admitted that the notoriously tough course had given him sleepless nights.
"I'm very happy," he told SuperSport's Thato Moeng after crossing the finish line. "I was dancing because I’m so happy that I won the race after I also won Two Oceans this year and it was my first time running the Soweto Marathon. I didn’t know the route and I was stressed about this Vilakazi Street that everyone was telling me about before the race. So when I asked my fellow top runners during the race where Vilakazi Street is and they told me that we have already passed it, I was happy and felt good about the rest of the race."
The Nedbank Running Club top runner finished 18 seconds ahead of the Hollywood Athletic Club’s Seutloali as Kenyan Kipkemoi Kpisang rounded out the top three in 2:19:05 and defending champion Ntsindiso Mphakathi took sixth position (2:20:03) in a fast race where the top five men finished inside 2:20.
In the women's race Neheng Khatala became the first Mosotho woman to win the race since Mamorallo Tjoka in 2012. Now living in Potchefstroom where she is a Sports Science student at the North west University, the Mountain Kingdom's 10km National Record holder (32:01) ran a controlled race as she maintained her pace while her competitors struggled during the hilly second half of the 42km event. Also clad in the purple of the Hollywood Athletic Club, the top runner who is coached by ANdrew Booyens ensured that the 3rd of November was a day dominated by debutants as she claimed victory in 2:43:07, while Kenya's Margaret Jepchumba was second (2:44:55) and Worke Degu Amena of Ethiopia took third place (2:48:11).
"I haven’t been consistent in training because of the studies and I’ve been sick so it’s been tough for m, but I just kept faith as I tried to balance my running with studies. This is big for me because I wanted at least three wins a year and I’ve got so many top three finishes but only two wins. So I’m very happy and would like to thank everyone who supported me here in South Africa. I feel very welcome. This is my second home," she said.
With 25 000 runners and walkers taking part in the sold out event over 10km, 21km and 42km, Sbusiso Kumalo, Chief Marketing Officer of African Bank says the 29th edition of the South Africa’s premiere township race was a resounding success. "This year’s African Bank Soweto Marathon is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we back our communities and uplift each other. The commitment and spirit of the runners, our partners, and the local volunteers have truly made this a race for the people, by the people. Together, we're celebrating perseverance, unity, and the vibrant legacy of Soweto."
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