'I'm feeling very good' - Khonkhobe skips Soweto to focus on City2City

Hate him or love him, Onalenna Khonkhobe is one of South Africa's most charismatic road running stars. For those that love the winner of the 2024 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon and Africanbank Soweto Marathon, his broad smile while and energetic persona are endearing. Those that love him less, describe as the source of their displeasure his 'early' transition to ultra marathons which has robbed him of the chance of becoming a genuine global star over the standard marathon. But the 29-year-old sees things differently.

Khonkhobe entertains the crowds after crossing the finish line first to win the 2024 Africanbank Soweto Marathon. He has decided to skip The People's Race this year to focus on the City2City 50km. Photo Credit: Africanbank Soweto Marathon/Tobias Ginsberg.

"I have a lot of natural speed. That's why people are amazed that I can run 10km, 21km, 42km and even the ultras. That's the way I am. Right now I can also run 28 minutes for 10km, it’s in the mind," he told #TheTopRunner as he reflected on an incredible range that has seen him deliver a 10km personal best of 29:33 at altitude while producing a career best 2:39:41 for 50km when he took second place in a record breaking run at the Nedbank Runified 50km. All of this just a few short years after bursting onto the scene with a sixth place finish at the 2022 Two Oceans 56km race.

Recognising this ability to run very fast for very long, his Nedbank Running Club used him as a pacemaker during the comrades Marathon in June where he ran and entertained the multitudes lining the road from Pietermaritzburg to Durban - while in visible pain - until the 70km mark allowing his Green Machine teammates of Tete Dijana, Piet Wiersma and Edward Mothibi to come from behind and secure gold medals as Dijana secured a third Comrades victory.

Khonkhobe in action alongside Tete Dijana during the 2023 Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km race where Dijana broke the World Record and Khonkhobe finished as the runner-up. Photo Credit: Nedbank Runified.

"I started taking strain from about 30km, especially because I was running alone and the road was quiet in the middle of the countryside. But when I got to halfway at Drummond I was met with a crowd of people who encouraged me and supported me all the way to 70km. I don't know why people love me so much when I’m running. Maybe it’s because I’m always smiling and I am a bit dramatic," he laughed.

Yet despite the exertions of running more than two thirds of The Ultimate Human Race where he passed halfway (45km) in 2:25:16, the talented Khonkhobe bounced back with a fourth place finish (1:04:17) against 21km specialists at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Marathon Championships in Phalaborwa just seven weeks later.

"I realised that my body had recovered from Comrades after the good run I had at the SA Champs. I'm feeling very good so I've decided to come and run City2City. To be honest it wasn't part of my plan because I had planned to run Soweto, but everything is up and down so I've decided to focus on City2City."

Khonkhobe alongside coach Zacharia 'Piou' Mpolokeng and teammate Lucky Mohale at the launch of the 2025 City2City 50km. Photo Credit: Lifutso Mabua.

Armed with distance, speed and a racing brain that saw him win the Prince Mangosuthu 52km on debut on Freedom Day, the man who is coached by Piou Mpolokeng in Klerksdorp has now set his sights on adding the City2City 50km title to his bulging trophy cabinet. But he admits that winning the race from Johannesburg to Pretoria won’t be easy because of the quality of the field of athletes targeting the R200 000 winner’s purse - everyone of whom will be watching his every move.

"It is true. That's what happened at the Mangosuthu 50km. The prize money was R150 000 so all the top runners were there. With 8km to go the lead bunch still had about 50 runners, and that's when I saw that things are tough. When I tried to move, they would move with me. They were all watching me. But at least I was fortunate to sprint away during the last 2km because I have good leg speed," he explained.

But, not one to stress about a race that is three weeks away (28 September), the top runner who originally hails from Taung in the North West Province, is content simply to enjoy running - a philosophy he believes is ultimately responsible for his success and will lead him to even great heights over both the shorter and longer distances.

"To enjoy running, you shouldn't take it too seriously. Yes, it is our job and we must respect it, but don’t take it so seriously that it begins to affect your mindset negatively. Whether you run 21km, 10km or 42km, it’s all about the mind."