demeanour.“ I treat every race as a new challenge. I’ m ready to give everything I have.”
Her biggest threat will likely come from her Hollywood Athletics Club teammate, Irvette van Zyl, 37. A resilient fighter with an unyielding spirit, Van Zyl finished second in 2022 and 2024 and is poised to capitalise on any opportunity given to her.“ I know what I’ m up against,” she says.“ But I’ ve trained hard, and I’ m ready to go all the way.”
The race also features Loveness Madziva, 34, who placed third last year, as well as a host of other talented women who are likely to make strong pushes for top 10 finishes.
From this list is Jenna Challenor, 43, who looks primed for a strong performance after finishing as the first woman at the Balwin Sport Peninsula Marathon in 2:51:24 in February.“ I feel stronger than ever,” Challenor says,” and I’ m ready to take on the challenge of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Ultra.”
Challenor was followed closely by Nedbank clubmates Deanne Laubscher, 36, and Landie Greyling, 41, a trail-running icon who has recently transitioned to road running. Greyling won the ASA Marathon Championship title representing Western Province with a strong 2:55:01 and looks prepared for a solid ultra.
Comrades gold medallists Jenet Mbhele, 30, and Carla Molinaro, 40, will both be eyeing the top spots, each bringing a unique set of skills to the table. Molinaro, fresh off a personal best at the West Coast Marathon, will be looking to turn that momentum into a podium finish. Also in the mix are Ethiopia’ s Meseret Mengistu, 35, and Kenyan Margaret Jepchumba, 44, who finished second at the Soweto Marathon last year.
The 2025 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Ultra is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions in recent memory. With the men’ s and women’ s fields both stacked with talent, it promises to be a thrilling spectacle of speed, strategy and heart.
As Khonkhobe and Steyn defend their crowns, a new generation of ultra stars are ready to make their mark. The battle for supremacy will be fierce. Who will emerge victorious? One thing is certain, this year’ s race will be a clash for the ages.
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