Records unlikely to fall but the Two Oceans half-marathon deserves more recognition

The half-marathon of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon often gets ‘the stepbrother’ treatment compared to the flagship 56km ultra-marathon. But there’s nothing ‘adopted’ about the 21.1km race that was introduced as part of the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon 26 years ago.

That much is evidenced by the headline sponsor’s decision to give a R15 000 bonus prize to any athlete who breaks either the men or women’s records set back in 2006 and 2019 by Cuthbert Nyasango and Helalia Johannes respectively. The Zimbabwean ran a 62:54 19 years ago and no runner has managed to beat it yet. Namibian Johannes’ 70:29 is also fast proving too fast a time for the rest of the competitors to break.

The incentive put up by Totalsports notwithstanding, it is unlikely either of the records will fall on this race day that is expected to be pretty warm. Added to that is the start list is not too strong, with the women’s field particularly diluted with last year’s top six finishers not returning.

There are two Kenyan race rookies looking to introduce themselves to South African running in style, Reuben Kibet and Mercy Kibou brought to the event by Two Oceans technical sponsors Joma.

The 24-year-old Kibet boasts a 63 minutes PB in the distance and will be running his second half marathon having set that time in his home country.

“My training has gone well and our coach and manager worked with us, I don’t think it will be too tough for me, but sometimes the body can respond and sometimes not,” he told media during the pre-race conference, while thanking his sponsors ‘for giving me the opportunity to come to South Africa.”

The athlete from Iten is confident he will be victorious, even though he has no clue about the competition.

“I expect to win it. I am ready. I don’t know who the other runners are, but that’s not what I worry about. I am just going to do my thing. The least I will get is a podium but maybe I can win.”

Kibou is a rookie in the half marathon even though she has already run the standard marathon and has a 2:44 PB.

“I am here to test the new Joma shoes for my next marathon and I want to thank my sponsors for giving me this chance to come and run in South Africa. I am looking forward to doing well in the race,” she said.

She could well have a victorious run given that Blandina Makatisi and Cian Oldknow - last year’s winner and runner up – are sitting this one out.

Can the Kenyans complete a double? Kibet has to beat defending champion Thabang Mosiako who is not in the best shape of his life having endured some personal challenges. But such is his confidence that the Kenyan should live up to his promise of winning the race.

Do that and he will add his name to a list of former winners that include South African road running luminaries such as Hendrick Ramaala – a former champion of the New York Marathon.

The record is, however, sure to still be standing even though there is a R15 000 record dangled up by the sponsors Totalsports.

IOL Sport