"I'm just a small-town boy" - Jantjies puts Hopetown on the map as Steyn secured 7th Totalsports Two Oceans title powered by BYD

In a year in which the event introduced it’s first presenting sponsor, history was made at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD when Gerda Steyn delivered a record seventh victory and little known Arthur Jantjies surprised the pundits with the biggest win of his fledgling ultra marathon career.

"It has been a phenomenal step. A big step. It's history," said the 25-year-old from Hopetown 120km outside Kimberley who stopped the clock in 3:09:25. "I'm just a small town boy winning Two Oceans. It's a big one."

Jantjies celebrates his first major win! Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

After shaking off the attentions of Hollywood AC's Tsepo Ramashamole just after the marathon mark, Zimbabwe's Blessing Waison was the first man to crest Constantia Nek. His bravery forced the leading bunch including Onalenna Khonkhobe, defending champion Joseph Seutloali and Jantjies to give chase. Waison was caught at 49km as the trio hurtled towards the finish with Khonkhobe making what he thought was the decisive move at the 51km mark. Seutloali would yield but Jantjies showed tremendous strength to stay in touch with the 2024 champion and then surged away just before Chet’s Hill to claim a famous 35 second victory over his friend and rival Khonkhobe.

"I know he (Khonkhobe) is faster than me. But we always pick up in the last 8km. I stayed close him and he gave up too quickly. Then I told myself I'm gonna strike now."

Jantjies training alongside Bayanda Gaga in the hills of Dullstroom. Photo Credit: John Hamlett.

Running in only his second ultra marathon after claiming sixth position at the 2025 City to City Marathon (2:54:26), Jantjies gave credit to his coach John Hamlett for putting him through a tough high altitude training camp just after he joined the Pan African Resources Club at the beginning of the year.

"My coach put me through the worst in Dullstroom where I die in the mountains. We often do 800m elevation on huge long runs and this was only about 600m of elevation. So this was nothing. I was there for 8 weeks away from my family. Whatever he says, I do. No questions asked. My coach says we stay small and fly under the radar. It was better for me to come through like a canon ball. It's a first major title for my town in the Northern Cape. Winning this race opens doors because it puts my name somewhere."

Seventh Heaven for Steyn. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

Jantjies' name will be emblazoned alongside that of Gerda Steyn. Ten years after she ran her first 56km race in The Mother City, the Hollywood AC star produced a polished tactical performance. She pulled away from reigning Africanbank Soweto Marathon champion Margaret Jepchumba moments after going through the marathon mark in 2:34:34. The fastest women in the history of the World's Most Beautiful Marathon (3:26:54) never looked back. Steyn went on to cross the finish line in (3:27:43) - the second fastest time of her Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD career.

"I didn't break the record but I’m still happy with my race and am really happy with my time. So it's a completely successful day for me," she told media during the post-race press conference. "When I won my first Two Oceans I never envisaged winning seven. I take it year for year. If ’m here next year and ready and fit, then I’ll push for sure. But I also need to accept the fact that I’m getting older. But for now I’m feeling strong and I feel that I still have a few more years left in my career. So if seven becomes eight and eight becomes ten, then I'll take it."