Onalenna Khonkhobe won his second major race of the year on Sunday, emerging triumphant at the Soweto Marathon.
The 28-year-old distance runner, who won the Two Oceans ultra-marathon in Cape Town in April, was locked in a tight battle against Joseph Seutloali of Lesotho in the closing stages of the 42km race.
Seutloali broke away from the lead group with a few kilometres remaining, but Khonkhobe gritted his teeth and fought back, eventually shaking off his opponent to secure victory in 2:18:36.
Seutloali held on to finish second in 2:18:54 and Kenyan athlete Kipkemoi Kipsang grabbed third spot in 2:19:05.
“I’m very happy because it was my first time running the Soweto Marathon,” Khonkhobe said after the race.
“Once I passed Vilakazi Street I was feeling ok and I thought ‘I’m going to win the Soweto Marathon’. The last few kilometres were tough and I must give it to Joseph because he ran well, but I saw he was struggling and I pushed hard to the finish.”
In the women’s race, Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala was victorious in 2:43:07, with Margaret Jepchumba of Kenya taking the runner-up spot in 2:44:55.
Galaletsang Mekgoe was the first SA woman home, finishing eighth in 3:00:52.
Meanwhile, Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho (1:06:10) and Ethiopian teenager Diniya Abaraya (1:15:11) won the men’s and women’s half-marathon races, while Bennet Seloyi (30:21) and Cacisile Sosibo (34:54) took the 10km titles.
Soweto Marathon results
Men: 1 Onalenna Khonkhobe (RSA) 2:18:36,2 Joseph Seutloali (LES) 2:18:54, 3 Kipkemoi Kipsang (KEN) 2:19:05, 4 Lesetja Papo (RSA) 2:19:22, 5 Gadisa Bekele Gutama (ETH) 2:19:25, 6 Ntsindiso Mphakathi (RSA) 2:20:03, 7 Tumelo Motlagale (RSA) 2:20:18, 8 Ian Slinger (RSA) 2:20:52, 9 Tete Dijana (RSA) 2:22:32, 10 Jobo Khatoane (LES) 2:22:48
Women: 1 Neheng Khatala (LES) 2:43:07, 2 Margaret Jepchumba (KEN) 2:44:55, 3 Worke Degu Amena (ETH) 2:48:11, 4 Nyawira Muriuki (KEN) 2:51:22, 5 Malineo Mahloko (LES) 2:54:58, 6 Gladys Jepchirchir (KEN) 2:56:05, 7 Rutendo Nyahora (ZIM) 2:58:32, 8 Galaletsang Mekgoe (RSA) 3:00:52, 9 Makhosazana Mhlongo (RSA) 3:08:11, 10 Msawenkosi Sibande (RSA) 3:10:35
* Featured image of Onalenna Khonkhobe by Action Photo SA
