Seen here (from left) at the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon media conference at the Southern Sun Cape Sun are contenders Onalenna Khonkobe, Deane Laubsher, Joseph Seutloali, Gerda Steyn, Joseph Manyedi and Neheng Khatala.
Image: Tobias Ginsberg
Six-time champion Gerda Steyn will chase a record-extending seventh victory this Saturday at the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon, hoping to reach “seventh heaven” along the iconic 56km route in Cape Town.
Smiling confidently at Wednesday’s pre-race media conference at the Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel earlier this week, Steyn reflected on the winning mentality that has driven her unprecedented success.
“I know I have done it before and so I believe that I can do it again,” said the Hollywood Athletics Club star, who first won the race in 2018. “But I don’t ever allow myself to be too comfortable just because I have six victories. Every athlete is focused on winning this race, so I have to give 110%.”
Steyn’s path to a seventh title will not be easy. Among her challengers are three-time runner-up Irvette van Zyl and Lesotho 42km record holder Neheng Khatala, who finished third last year. Kenya’s Shelmith Muriuki, the 2025 runner-up, is back, alongside debutants Margaret Jepchumba and Elizabeth Mukoloma, who impressed with a one-two finish at last year’s Soweto Marathon.
“I must respect the quality of the field,” Steyn said. “It won’t be a one-woman show. I can only control how I run and make sure I deliver my very best. If everyone around me is suffering and I’m suffering too, that’s when I perform best. It’s going to be a big challenge, but it means so much to me.”
While Steyn’s victory bid is clear, the men’s race is wide open. Joseph Khoarahlane Seutloali returns to defend his crown, but faces fierce competition from 2024 winner Onalenna Khonkhobe and last year’s runner-up Siboniso Sikhakhane.
Seutloali kept his pre-race strategy close to his chest, while Khonkhobe, who failed to finish in 2025, boldly declared: “This is my show.”
The men’s race could also produce a record-breaking performance, with hopes of dipping below 3:09 for the first time since Bongumusa Mthembu ran 3:08:39 in 2019.
“Last year we were a bit fast for the first10km, that’s why we ran 3:10. In 2024 we were slow for the first 10km, that’s why we ended up running 3:09. If anyone wants to run fast and chase the record, I’m going with them,” Khonkhobe added.
With ideal Cape Town conditions forecast and elite fields assembled, both races promise high drama. For Steyn, the mission is simple: control her race, respect her rivals, and chase a place in history. If everything goes to plan, come Saturday evening, she could be celebrating a seventh title – and a spot in ultra marathon “seventh heaven”.