If there ever was a year to remember in the 28 years that Onalenna Khonkhobe has graced earth, 2024 will go down as one!
The Nedbank running club green dream team athlete raced to victory at the Soweto Marathon in the Super NIKE SHOES over the weekend to follow up on his massive Two Oceans Marathon victory in April.
Run in warm conditions and back to its old course starting and finishing at NASREC, the Soweto Marathon assembled one of its most competitive elite fields in history which included the likes of Khonkhobe’ s teammates Isaac Mpofu, a world class marathoner from Zimbabwe and Ethiopian Daba Debele who had finished 1st and 2nd at the last two editions of the Soweto Marathon.
Up front, a huge lead bunch formed with Nedbank running clubs Sinethemba Tshangase and Lucky Mohale setting the pace which saw the leaders hit halfway in 1:08:56. It was shortly after this that double Comrades Marathon winner Tete Dijana hit the front with a powerful surge that broke up the bunch.
At this stage, Khonkhobe was biding his time and running at the back of the pack. At 36km an immensely powerful surge by Lesotho’s Joseph Seutloali broke up the bunch and Khonkhobe moved into 2nd place together with teammate Gadisa Bekele Gutama as the two began to hunt the leader down.
It was at exactly the 41km that Khonkhobe caught Seutloali, and one last surge saw the youngster move ahead to seal a victory in 2:18:36 in what was his first attempt at the Soweto Marathon.
“I am so happy with winning today because although it was my plan, I didn’t expect it that much because it’s my first time in Soweto,” said an elated Khonkhobe. “My biggest stress was Vilikazi street because I was told that it is the tough part of the route, and I thought to myself I will use that section to break away. But then when we were running, I asked the other top guys where this Vilakazi street is and then they told me that we had already passed it, so my plans had to change.”
Behind him, teammate Gutama held on for 5th after struggling over the final 2km. After dropping off the leaders at 34km, Dijana managed to claw his way back and finish 9th.
In the women’s race there were two podium spots for the Nedbank running club with Margaret Jepchumba and Worke Degu Amena finishing 2nd and 3rd. Gladys Jepchirchir, Galaletsang Mekgoe and Msawenkosi Sibande finished 6th, 8th, and 10th respectively to give the Nedbank girls 5 out of the top 10.
Nedbank running club National team manager Nick Bester was delighted with the green dream team. “This year’s Soweto Marathon was an important one for our team and we planned, prepared, and executed our plans in style with Onalenna taking the victory” , said Bester.
“We really want to thank everyone who plays a part in these victories from our sponsors to the managers, coaches, committee members, support teams and all the families that contribute. This victory was a victory for all of us!”
We put the Cherry on the top today ending a brilliant running year by winning the 3 major road running events in South Africa in one year and just once again proof we are the strongest and most professional Running Club in South Africa.
Our hospitality was also an enormous success with the hospitality and catering for the bulk of the tired social runners who completed this murderous challenging and hilly marathon in the extreme hot conditions on the day. Here they could enjoy the products of our loyal sponsors-Biogen to drink the recovery drinks, Future Life to fill the empty stomachs, THIRSTI WATER to replenish the THIRST and Bavaria to have a refreshing drink after all.
See you again for exciting running by the Nedbank Green Dream Team!
