ELITES
Leading Elites
Elroy Gelant in theH
Claiming the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon title is one of the most coveted race wins on the South African road running circuit , and the race attracts the cream of the country ’ s halfmarathoning talent each year , as well as a number of international challengers . Here ’ s who looks set to be in the mix for line honours in 2022 . – BY MANFRED SEIDLER
There ’ ll be no ‘ swimming in the safety of the shallows ’ in this year ’ s Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon . The king and queen on race day will have to negotiate the proverbial deep end , and will have well and truly conquered the current of a formidable field of challengers come 16 April .
Gelant Leading the Charge
Spearheading the men ’ s field will be the defending champion , Elroy Gelant , who won the title on his third attempt in 2019 , after twice finishing as runner-up in 2015 and 2016 . Gelant , whose big focus for 2022 will be the World Marathon Championships in Eugene , Oregon later this year , is an athlete who races sparingly . In fact , this will be his first race since finishing 34th at the Olympic Marathon last year , clocking 2:16:43 as the only South African to finish that race .
“ I ’ m looking forward to the Two Oceans Half . It is good to be able to get back to running ways and to just enjoy the whole South African running spirit again ,” says Gelant . “ I ’ m back at Two Oceans this year to defend my title … It is going to be tough , especially with the form some of the others are in , but I love the course . I am feeling positive about the race , especially because of the win last time round .”
However , Gelant has an army of contenders who will be looking to chase him down . The proverbial poisoned arrows range from Desmond Mokgobo from Entsika to Collen Mulaudzi from Hollywood Bets , and the ever-improving Mbuleli Mathanga from Phantane . Then come the men in green from the always formidable Nedbank team – Philemon Mathipa , Namakoe Nkhasi and Anthony Timothy Timoteus – and adding yet more drama to the day will be the strong , sensible contingent from Murray and Roberts of David Manja , Kabelo Melamu and Sibusiso Nzima .
Mathanga to Malaudzi to Mokgobo
New kid on the block , Mbuleli Mathanga was pushed to a number of personal bests in 2021 during Precious Mashele ’ s onslaught on the Olympic qualifying standard in the 5000m . Even though he had to settle for runner-up in all their races , Mathanga made an emphatic statement about his capabilities when he finished third at the SA Half Marathon Championships . He then went on to lower his half marathon best time from 1:01:26 to 1:00:17 in Rome last year . Despite being a late bloomer , his improvement across all distances in 2021 is indicative of just how dangerous he will be at
Two Oceans .
Collen Mulaudzi may as well have the word ‘ Danger ’ written on the back of his race bib . He took close to two minutes off his half marathon best in 2020 at the World Half Marathon Championships in Gydnia , Poland , improving from 1:02:03 to 1:00:51 . And he is
Images : Action Photo SA , Image SA , Reg Caldecott & Rogan Ward & courtesy Central Gauteng Athletics , Collen Mulaudzi & Mbuleli Mthanga
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Tadu Nare