By Adnaan Mohamed
Lesotho’s Khoarahlane Seutloali powered through the final kilometres like a runner shifting into overdrive on the last hill of a brutal ultramarathon, storming to victory in the African Bank Soweto Marathon on Saturday morning in 2:20:09.
It was a win wrapped in redemption. Last year the Hollywood AC star faded in the dying stretch; this time he kicked down the door with purpose.
“I am very happy and proud to have won this race after finishing second last year,” Seutloali beamed. “And I am even prouder to have completed the double, and I want to thank my club, my sponsor and all the Basotho people.”
The Hollywood Athletics Club star completed a rare road-running double – adding Soweto gold to the Two Oceans crown already on his 2025 mantelpiece. His feat mirrors defending champion Onalenna Khonkhobe’s double last year. This time, Khonkhobe’s late charge fizzled as he settled for third in 2:20:39, 30 seconds behind the Lesotho ace.
South Africa’s Ntsindiso Mphakathi ran a gritty, measured race to finish second in 2:20:24, with former track star George Kusche fourth in 2:20:47.
Jepchumba Breaks the Tape as Steyn Takes “Small Win” in Brutal Women’s Battle
In the women’s race, the golden girl of South African road running Gerda Steyn made her long-awaited debut at the People’s Race.
The six-time Two Oceans and four-time Comrades champion was the first South African across the finish line taking the bronze medal in 2:37:00.
She just managed to edge out her Hollywood AC teammate Irvette van Zyl, who placed fourth in 2:37:35.
Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba (Nedbank) clinched the title in 2:34:33, just outside Van Zyl’s long-standing record. But it was more than enough to tame a stacked field. Zambian Elizabeth Mokoloma (2:35:59) took second.
“It was a wonderful first experience here in Soweto,” said Steyn, affectionately known as The Smiling Assassin.
“I have been wanting to run the People’s Race for such a long time. I am always proud to run on home soil, and not having the Soweto Marathon under my belt was a missing item.”
Steyn didn’t sugarcoat the challenge.
“It was a tough race, from the gun-go the pace was really fast from the beginning, but I expected it to be like that. I think it was the most competitive field we have had at the Soweto Marathon in a long time.
“I was the first South African to cross the line, and for me it is like a small win, although I am a little disappointed not to finish first. But it was a fair race.”
Results:
Men
- Khoarahlane Seutloali (LES) – 2:20:09
- Ntsindiso Mphakathi (RSA) – 2:20:24
- Onalenna Khonkhobe (RSA) – 2:20:39
- George Kusche (RSA) – 2:20:47
Women
- Margaret Jepchumba (KEN) – 2:34:33
- Elizabeth Mokoloma (ZAM) – 2:35:59
- Gerda Steyn (RSA) – 2:37:00
- Irvette van Zyl (RSA) – 2:37:35