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Chasing
The Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon traditionally delivers, close, exciting races and sprint finishes. Here are a few of the contenders who will be aiming to be in the mix for line honours on race day.
HALF MARATHON
Glory
Thabang Mosiako
Mosiako eyes eighth Gold and Second Win
In a powerful statement of his intent to reclaim the title he lost to Bennet Seloyi last year, Thabang Mosiako delivered a pair of eyecatching performances in March that put his rivals on notice ahead of the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon. The 31-year-old clocked 1:00:44 – the third-fastest half marathon time of his career – to take third place at the HOKA Paris Half Marathon on 8 March. Then, just two weeks later, he took the win in the Northern Cape’ s premier half marathon, the Phakamile Mabija Human Rights Half Marathon in Kimberley, with a 1:04:37 new course record.
These fast times over 21.1km come barely three months after the 2023 SA Half Marathon Champion and 2024 Two Oceans Half Marathon winner claimed fifth place at the Abu Dhabi Marathon last December in 2:10:49, having run 2:09:14 on his marathon debut at the same race a year earlier. The Nedbank Running Club star describes the win in Kimberly as particularly satisfying.“ What a great race.
The road was smooth and safe, it was well organised and everything was perfect. Overall, I was happy with my performance,” exclaims Mosiako.
He attributes his superlative current form to being a year wiser on his marathon journey.“ I think this time around, I was smarter after my second marathon. I took enough rest, that’ s why I didn’ t struggle with the build-up phase, and that led me to the shape I have now.”
The fitness he presently enjoys leaves Mosiako confident that he can add to his impressive tally of seven gold medals in the Two Oceans Half, improve on the fifth place he attained last year, and replicate the success of winning the 2024 edition of the race.“ I’ m going for the Two Oceans Half Marathon again, to correct the mistake I made last year,” he says.
Chidzivo Targets Gold in Return after 2022 Win
Fortunate Chidzivo
Zimbabwean half marathon women’ s recordholder Fortunate Chidzivo is eager to add to her impressive track record when she makes her fourth appearance at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon. With that national record of 1:10:50 and several recent wins behind her name, she will line up confident that her preparations have positioned her well to challenge for another gold medal in what she considers a challenging race.“ I always find the Two Oceans route tough, especially in the first half, but my preparations have gone well,” she says.
Chidzivo, who celebrated her 39th birthday on 16 March, boasts two gold medals in the Two Oceans Half, including a remarkable 1:14:48 victory in the 2022 edition. IN that race, she demonstrated tremendous bravery to lead the field from start to finish, despite feeling ill the day before, and that win remains one of her most cherished memories.“ That win came unexpectedly,” she reveals.“ It was one of the biggest wins of my career, and I was over the moon. The joy I experienced felt like I flew up to the sky and back to earth again. It was also a special moment to win and see my husband waiting at the finish line to welcome me,” shares Chidzivo, who recently joined the Nedbank Running Club.
It’ s a memory that still carries Chidzivo as she prepares to tackle the race for the first time since that memorable victory in 2022. Yet even after a strong start to the year, with three wins from three starts, including the Old Mutual Harare Half Marathon, Chidzivo insists that recent results will count for little if she does not approach the iconic South African race with the right mindset.
“ A positive mindset is crucial, as winning starts with positivity. Also, having won the race before will be a driving force for me. But I’ m going to the race without any expectations. I just want to enjoy being back on the start line. The stronger the competition, the better the times we will run, but I’ ll see how my body responds on the day. Let’ s see if I can rewrite history,” she concludes.
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