CLUB RIVALRY
Lifting the Veil
So , just who are these clubs , and what are they likely to bring to the Two Oceans party this year ? We look at just five who promise to offer stiff competition to the dominance of Nedbank and , to a lesser extent , Murray & Roberts .
Maxed Elite AC
Maxed Elite is a Durban-based club linked to Mr Price , currently supporting a number of international athletes , notably the tall Ethiopian , Endale Belachew , who broke the tape in last year ’ s Two Oceans Ultra to win by three seconds . Lebenya Nkoka , a previous Two Oceans champion ( 2018 ), and his Lesotho compatriot , Teboho Noosi , are others likely to feature prominently in this year ’ s race . The club is “ open to anyone who loves to have fun , has the drive to achieve some running goals , and is looking for a fitness journey that ’ s enjoyable , too ,” and includes both elite and social runners .
Boxer AC
Another Durban club , Boxer is the closest colour match to Maxed Elite , but their hue and running speed are distinctive , with some of the country ’ s finest distance athletes tethered at their stable . Male athletes Stephen Mokoka , Precious Mashele , Elroy Gelant and Gladwin Mzazi , as well as female athletes Glenrose Xaba , Cornelia Joubert and the Phalula twins , Lebogang and Diana Lebo , are the cream of the crop of shorter-distance South African athletes , and a number of them will be in action in the Two Oceans Half Marathon , proud in their red gear .
Unfortunately , Cape Town-based Tanith Maxwell is a notable Boxer absentee this year . While the former Olympian is now focused on the ultra-distances , she is not yet race-ready following recent surgery , and her focus is likely to be on next year ’ s Two Oceans Marathon .
Phantane AC
When South Africa ’ s leading female marathon and ultra marathon athlete , Gerda Steyn , announced earlier this year that the path to her ideal club had led her to Phantane , eyebrows were raised . But she made it clear that for her , the grassroots development focus of the Durban-based club meant more to her than potentially bigger material rewards other clubs might have offered .
Under the management of the visionary Mdu Khumalo , and supported by Totalsports , Phantane has gone from strength to strength , having unearthed its own homegrown talent , while also attracting some of the country ’ s top distance athletes , who , like Steyn , have been stirred by the club ’ s positive energy and commitment .
Although their leading marathoner last year , Sboniso Sikhakhane , who placed third in last year ’ s Two Oceans , has switched the green and yellow of Phantane for the grey and white of Entsika , Steyn ’ s presence as the strong favourite to defend her Two Oceans title more than compensates for the loss . And Khumalo expects Two Oceans novice Nkululeko Ngubane to challenge for gold . “ He has great potential to be a future star over the distance ,” says Khumalo .
Entsika AC
Entsika has a significant advantage of having Hendrick Ramaala as its club coach . Not only was he one of South Africa ’ s best distance athletes of all time , he has also proved himself at the highest level as a coach , having mentored the South African team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 . “ We are more focused on the 56km at Oceans this time ,” says Ramaala . “ We don ’ t have Nedbank budget to bring in big numbers , so we are bringing four guys and one lady to push for the podium and top 10 .”
With runners of the calibre of Sboniso Sikhakhane , Givemore Mudzinganyama , Msawenkosi Mthalane and Thando Ngcobo in the ranks in the men ’ s competition , and Nobukhosi Tshuma in the women ’ s , Ramaala ’ s 2023 Oceans ’ ambitions could well be satisfied .
Hollywood AC
As new kids on the block , the ‘ Purple Family ’ are making up for lost time , having already made a significant splash in the country ’ s distance running pond . Hollywood started out as a small social running club in KZN in 2016 , with just 30 members , but has grown significantly , having extended its reach into four provinces and boasting some of South Africa ’ s finest distance athletes . These include last year ’ s Two Oceans men ’ s runner-up , Nkosikhona Mhlakwana , the 2018 Comrades women ’ s champion , Ann Ashworth , and recently the addition of another 2022 Two Oceans runner-up , Irvette van Zyl .
The appointments of two-time Comrades gold medallist , Prodigal Khumalo , and Ashworth as club coaches , and more recently , Manfred Seidler as club manager , has further elevated the club ’ s status , and there is little doubt that the Two Oceans Marathon lead packs in both races this year will be liberally splashed with purple .
“ Hollywood is a club that focuses on a broad spectrum of both short and long distance running . The process of building the club won ’ t happen overnight . We would like to grow on a national basis into the longer term , both elite and social . Socially , the club in KZN has over 900 licensed athletes ,” says Seidler . “ In the Ultra this year , Nkosikhona Mhlakwana is focused on improving his time and hopefully his position , and undoubtedly has the ability to make it to number one . And he will have the support of promising ultra-distance athletes Makwande Mngcwengi and Mahlomola Sekhonyane . Not far back in the field , Ann Ashworth will be racing for a top 10 position in the women ’ s competition .”
However , it is likely to be in the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon that Hollywood could feature most prominently this year , with recent signing Mathews Leeto , Collen Mulaudzi , Reghen Magwai and Lesotho athlete Tsepo Ramashamole as strong a foursome as any contesting for top ten positions .
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