finish in 3:10:19 . Mhlakwana took third in 3:10:40 , with Mthalane fourth ( he is also coached by Ramaala ), while Mopenyane held on for fifth .
Unexpected Champion
Mudzinganyama ’ s win came as a surprise to many – perhaps with the exception of his coach and training group – as he came into the race without any ultra-marathon pedigree to speak of . After all , the Zimbabwean born and Johannesburg-based runner ’ s only previous appearances at the Two Oceans event had seen him finish 12th in the Half Marathon in 2015 , and then finish an impressive runner-up behind Kane Reilly in the 2018 Long Trail race . This was not only his Two Oceans Marathon debut , but also his first ultra on road .
Elation as Givemore claims the big prize
Men ’ s top three , from left : Dan Matshailwe , Givemore Mudzinganyama and Nkosikhona Mhlakwana
However , after enjoying considerable success as a trail athlete , including a hattrick of wins at the Cape Town Peace Trail 21km and partnering Edwin Sesipi to victory in the AFRICANX team race , Givemore had reached a point in his running career where he questioned his future in the sport . “ I loved trail running , but you can ’ t easily make a living in that discipline ,” he admitted . “ So after working at the ASICS shoe store in Johannesburg , I opted to become a full-time professional road athlete and joined up with Hendrick Ramaala and his club , Entsika .”
In between the tough training at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg , Hendrick also shared his wealth of racing experience with his charges , and Givemore says it was a lesson in fishing that spurred him on to Two Oceans glory . “ I was struck by what our manager said at our club ’ s end of year meeting last November . He said that while you could earn some smaller income by running regular shorter-distance road races , if you ‘ can catch one big-fish a year ,’ you can make a real living ,” said Givemore . “ He was talking about the big races in South Africa , including Two Oceans , Comrades , Cape Town Marathon and Soweto Marathon . I liked what he said , and decided to try to catch my fish in the Two Oceans . Training with Coach Ramaala ’ s running group has made a big difference , and prepared me well for today .”
Images : Action Photo SA , Luigi Bennet & Tobias Ginsberg & Courtesy Two Oceans Marathon
The Men ’ s Half Marathon : Mbuleli ’ s Moment
In the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon , which took place the day after the Ultra Marathon , it was Mbuleli Mathanga who seized the moment , played to his strengths and raced to a memorable victory . Former winner Elroy Gelant once again had to be satisfied with second place – for the fourth time in his five-year Two Oceans career – while Lesotho ’ s Jobo Khatoane rounded out the podium positions in a highquality event .
Flushed with his recent sub-28 minute for 10km in Gqeberha , Thabang Mosiako set a fast pace from the outset . Twelve athletes were still together through 10km , but when Mosiako and Zimbabwean Abera Haile pushed the pace up the long Southern Cross Drive climb , the pack split , with just Mathanga , Gelant , Khatoane and Zimbabwean defending champ Moses Tarakinyu staying with the lead pair . Mosiako and Mathanga upped the ante and broke from the pack on the descent past Kirstenbosch , before Mathanga used his hill strength to make the decisive break to take the win in 1:03:58 .
“ My plan was to make a move at 18km and use the hills to my favour , and I ’ m pleased it worked out that way ,” said Mathanga . “ Last time I was fourth in this race in my debut , now I ’ m first , and very happy with my win . I enjoyed working together with Elroy and Jobo as a team along the route .”
Gelant and Mosiako did their best to try catch the flying Mathanga , but found the winner had more in reserve on the day . “ With just over 3km to go , Thabang said to me , ‘ let ’ s work together to catch him ,’ and we tried our best , but that guy is fast !” reflected Gelant . “ He made his move on ‘ Chet ’ s Hill ’ with 3km to go , and then as we were closing on him , he surged again on the small rise in the final kilometre and it was game over .”
Mbuleli Mathanga
Emma Pallant
The Women ’ s Half Marathon : British Breakthrough
The aggressive running of British World Duathlon Champion , Emma Pallant and Ethiopian Bekelech Wariyo split the pack before half-way , with only Lesotho ’ s Mokulubete Makatasi able to stay the pace with the leaders through 10km . When the Lesotho athlete fell back on the climb up Southern Cross , it left the two leaders to fight out the final 7km to the finish .
Pallant , who moved to Johannesburg from England with her triathlete husband five years ago , and who has achieved podium positions on many occasions in global Half Ironman triathlons , was determined to atone for her disappointing race here last year . “ Last year I went off way too hard , not expecting hills , and got caught out , finishing sixth . I wasn ’ t happy , so had to return ,” she said , after crossing the line first in a new PB 1:14:17 , five seconds ahead of Wariyo .
“ Today was awesome , a great contest , but I didn ’ t think I was going to hold on – I was spent , and then had that slight uphill near the finish . That was terrible , but somehow , I made it to the tape ,” continued Pallant . “ I just drew energy from the many supporters along the way – in South Africa , everyone gets out on the road to cheer on the athletes , and I love that .”
Having finished second on her Two Oceans debut , Wariyo admitted that she found the course somewhat challenging “ My race went well today , but the hills made it hard , so I ’ m happy to get a podium position .” Makatasi trailed by almost two minutes as she took third in 1:16:14 , and like Pallant , she was pleased at her improved performance . “ Last year I finished fifth . Now I ’ m up to third , so I ’ m really happy about my race today . I found it easier than last year on my debut when I struggled after halfway . This year I knew what to expect and paced myself accordingly .”
Thabang Mosiako setting the pace
TWO OCEANS 15 2023 SPECIAL SECTION