'This win shows me that I can still make it' - Lebogang Khonkhobe targets Comrades after winning Om Die Dam
Lebogang Khonkhobe spoke with a deep sense of contentment after claiming his first big ultra marathon victory today. At 36 years old, the Nedbank Running Club top runner has been a nearly man for much of his career with a handful of encouraging performances but lacking the big victory to be counted amongst the nation's ultra marathon best. But after winning today's Trojan Om Die Dam 50km race run around the Hartebeespoort Dam, a race which has been won by the likes of Bongumusa Mthembu, Gerda Steyn and Adele Broodryk, Khonkhobe finally underlined his credentials a gold medal contender for the Comrades Marathon.
"Winning today's race makes me feel proud of all the hard work that I have been putting in. I'm so grateful and happy with the way that my training has been progressing. I've been through so many ups and downs in life. I've faced so many challenges since last October until now. I've been trying to handle these challenges. That's what makes this win so special to me," he said moments after prevailing in a tight finish (2:55:10) ahead of Mthembeni Mahlobo (2:55:10) and Sifiso Nqumakhwe (2:58:00).
What makes the victory even more special is that it comes exactly a month after Khonkhobe's disappointing run at the Balwin Sport Peninsula Marathon, which doubled as the national marathon championships. Running in the colours of Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), the athlete who hails from the North West province claimed thirteenth position on a blustery day in The Mother City when he had been targeting a podium finish. Yet his confidence remained in tact despite that result and he threw himself back into training as he set his sights on Om Die Dam.
"Remember that I am a professional athlete. I ran well today because I don't judge myself by previous races. I went to SA's at a good fitness level to compete for a top position and run a good time. But sometimes, as you know, a race doesn't always go according to your plans or how well your training was. It was very tough for me - I don't want to lie. But I persevered to make sure I finish the race and ran 2:29:29. So this served as a strength to help me prepare for Om Die Dam," explained the man who also grabbed third place at the Johnson Crane Hire 21km at the end of January.
Having secured the first major ultra marathon title of his career, the uncle of reigning Two Oceans and Soweto Marathon champion Onnalenna Khonkhobe feels he is ready to improve on his 5:48:32 Comrades Marathon best. That time which was run during the 2023 Down Run earned him 38th position, a finish which he now believes he can improve up as he looks to compete for a maiden Comrades gold medal.
"Next up is the Comrades Marathon. That's our focus. We will look at what we need to do in order to be ready for Comrades. This win shows me that I can still make it. It means a lot to me. It's not just a win." In the women's race, Rone Steenkamp took the tile in 3:40:32, with Arouchelle Nieuwenhuis second (3:47:11) and Melinda Jansen van Vuuren third (3:50:24).
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