ELITES
CONTENDERS FOR 2023
Let ’ s take a look at some of the leading contenders for line honours in this year ’ s Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon . – BY MANFRED SEIDLER
The Men ’ s Ultra : 2022 Reloaded , or Remixed ?
If all goes well , it could be the Pitbull vs Belachew round two , but there are a number of other contenders waiting to pounce if the top two of 2022 do not live up to expectations .
Few will forget the sight of South Africa ’ s Nkosikhona ‘ Pitbull ’ Mahlakwana and Ethiopia ’ s Endale Belachew going toe-to-toe over the final 10 or so kilometres of the 2022 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon . The pair took the lead at the 45km mark , then surged and counter-surged , leaving the television audience breathless , and it wasn ’ t until the final 400m , when the pair entered the finish straight at UCT , that Belachew was able to edge ahead and win by the narrowest of margins , 3:09.05 to 3:09.07 . The good news is that both are back for the 2023 race – Belachew to defend his title , and Mahlakwana to dethrone the King .
After his incredible Two Oceans debut last year , Mahlakwana continued his good form , going on to finish sixth in the Comrades Marathon . Now he is focused on turning the tables on the Ethiopian , and has been quietly preparing for race day with high altitude training camps in Lesotho and the Underberg . After his qualifying race at the Bhekizizwe Joseph Shabalala Marathon in February , he has largely kept to himself in preparation for the April showdown in Cape Town .
In contrast , Belachew did not have the best of times leading up to this year ’ s race . After his Two Oceans win , a DNF followed in the 2022 Comrades Marathon , and another failure to finish in the Nedbank Runified 50km in February will not have been the best of tonics for his confidence . On the other hand , it may just spur him on , come race day .
MORE SA CONTENDERS
Of course , last year ’ s top two will not be able to merely keep an eye on each other , or else they may suffer a big surprise , because there are several other strong contenders in the field . Also lining up on Saturday 15 April will be Dan Matshailwe Moselekwa , who surprised all and sundry with a third-place finish in the 2022 Comrades Marathon . A 2:14:06 marathoner , Moselekwa boasts a fair bit of speed to go with his obvious strength , and he could well be the surprise in the pack on race day . While he has ran both the Comrades Marathon and Nedbank Runified 50km
( where he finished eighth in 2022 ), this will be his debut in the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon .
Another who will be keenly watching the race proceedings is Jonas Makhele . He boasts a strong racing pedigree , having finished to last year at Two Oceans , and a second place at the inaugural Nedbank Runified 50km in 2021 . Meanwhile , Sboniso Sikhakane will be looking to step it up a notch or two on the podium after finishing third in the 2022 race Two Oceans . With his 2:11:49 marathon personal best , he has the speed to challenge for the top spot .
POSSIBLE ACE IN THE PACK
In 2019 , defending champion Justin Cheshire Kemboi of Kenya went haring out in pursuit of the long-standing men ’ s course record of 3:03.44 , set by Thompson Magawana in 1988 . When he faltered , that chase was taken up by Ethiopia ’ s Sintayehu Legese Yinesu . He was finally caught and passed around 40km , first by eventual winner Bongmusa Mthembu , then by David Gatebe , and finally a resurgent Kemboi . Nevertheless , he held on for fourth .
Yinesu will have learned much from that experience , and may be a contender again this year . He thrives on tough courses , and the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon is just that , with its climbs up Chapmans Peak and Constantia Nek , as well as the sting in the tail towards the end , aptly named Chet ’ s Hill . With the wisdom he attained in 2019 , Yinesu will definitely not be a passenger along for the ride , but should mount a serious challenge come race day .
Also lurking in the shadows , ready to pick up the pieces should the favourites destroy each other during the race , will be debutant Stephan Katam from Kenya . The 28-year-old arrives with a 2:14:08 marathon best , but it ’ s his 2:16:11 , run in 2019 in the rarefied air of Eldoret , Kenya at the high altitude of 2200m , that makes one think he will be a dangerous contender on Saturday 15 April .
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