'This is my show' - Khonkhobe declares ambitions for Africanbank Soweto Marathon
After winning the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon in April, Onalenna Khonkhobe is targeting victory at the Africanbank Soweto Marathon. One of South Africa's most loved ultra marathon stars defeated a quality field including the likes of Givemore Mudziganyama and Stephen Mokoka to win the 56km race around the Cape peninsula, making him one of the favourites for line honours when he lines up for his maiden Soweto Marathon on the 3rd of November. And in typical Khonkhobe fashion, he has confidently declared his ambitions for the 42km race through the streets of the country's most celebrated township.
"I'm the head of the table. This is is my show. This camera man, this is my camera man. It will be my first time to run Soweto Marathon. I'm excited and I’m going to do the same thing that I did at the two Oceans Marathon. I want to do for the young boys and girls because they love me. I'm running for South Africa. I don’t have much more to say about Soweto because it’s going to my first time, but I can tell you that it’s going to be my show on the 3rd November," he said to the applause and laughter of all of those who had gathered for the launch of the 30th edition of the race.
But to win the race, the Nedbank Running Club man who is the holder of a 2:39:41 50km personal best will have to get the better of defending champion Ntsindiso Mphakathi. Running in the colours of the Entsika Athletic Club, Mphakathi became the first South African to win the race since Michael Mazibuko in 2011 when he triumphed last year. A Soweto Marathon veteran who has been taking on the challenge for almost a decade, the man who hails from the Eastern Cape but lives and trains in Soweto, has a deep love for this marathon which will make him difficult to beat.
"In 2017 I passed Vilakazi street leading with a big gap, but I faded and ended up in position three. So last year during this race, I was patient. I kept on telling myself that if I win it, it’s going to open so many opportunities for the runners, more especially those around Central Gauteng. I realised that we are not that many people from Soweto who run this race, which gave me the belief that anything is possible. So finally, I won the race," he explained.
Thanks to the sponsorship of Africanbank, a R250 000 winners cheque awaits the first man and woman to cross the finish line at the Nasrec Expo Centre on 3 November, making it the richest 42km race in the country. Africanbank Group Chief Transformation & Sustainability Officer Edna Sathekga-Montse says they are honoured to once again be part of this historical event which dates back to 1991.
"It is an honour to partner with the Soweto Marathon again – a race that reflects the spirit and tenacity of our people. It is certainly a race that connects people across various demographics and as such it connects with Africanbank's purpose of being a bank for the people, by the people, serving the people. At Africanbank, we believe anything is possible when you have the audacity to believe in your dreams. The Africanbank Soweto Marathon is not just a race; it represents Soweto's history, culture, and spirited character. We are privileged to stand alongside the runners, supporting them throughout the race."
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