'I'm ready for anything' - Mgubhela declares Two Oceans credentials after almost breaking course record at Legends Township Marathon

After missing the Legends Township Marathon course record by a mere 21 seconds, Nkululeko Mgubhela has emerged as one of the runners to look out for this season and a dark horse for a gold medal at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon. Founded by Joe Morris and run through the Johannesburg township of Eldorado Park, the 29th edition of one of South Africa’s longest running township marathons took runners on a two-lap journey of Eldos where the man coached by Hendrick Ramaala at Zoo Lake triumphed. 

The Entsika Athletic Club runner crossed the finish line in 2:20:29 ahead of Gladwin Mzazi who took second in 2:21:02, while Phantane Athletics Club's Samuel Cijimpi Moloi completed the top three after crossing the line in 2:21:57. But Mgubhela's win came with some controversy when a race official questioned how he won the race even though Mzazi and Moloi led the marathon for almost 39km.

Mgubhela looks over his shoulder after passing Mzazi just before entering the home straight at the Eldorado Park Stadium. Photo Credit: SMacPix.

"The race was good and the course was not that hard. I started from behind the. Lead pack and then I chased," he told #TheTopRunner after Central Gauteng Athletics Technical Officials concluded that he had not cheated. "At the start of the second lap I was third. I thought I was leading until someone told me that there were two other people in front of me. Then in the last seven kilometres I caught up to position two (Moloi) and in the last kilometre I caught up with the leader (Mzazi)," he explained.

"I am very happy because I was worried and confused when people said they didn't see me even when I ran in the presence of officials. Other runners saw me but when we were finishing the 42km, others were also finishing the 21km. The race was well organised, the officials directed us all the way and the support was great. Everything went well apart from the confusion at the end. Remember that you don't win a race until you cross the finish line. I am happy about the race and with my win as well."

Mgubhela runs hard to catch up to Mzazi next to the cyclist who accompanied the second male 42km athlete. Photo Credit: SMacPix.

Perhaps some of the skeptiscm surrounding Mgubhela's win arose from the fact that he is still remains relatively unknown to most in the road running fraternity. But he is not new to marathons. Mghubela took the 12^th position at last year's Africanbank Soweto Marathon in 2:23:35 and 21st position during the 2025 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon. After leading his Entsika teammates to the Township Marathon team prize Mgubhela is ready to improve on his best Two Oceans clocking of 3:22:10 and earn a maiden gold medal at the World's Most Beautiful Marathon.

"I want to make the podium at Two Oceans. The Township Marathon was my test of how far I am in my training. It will be my second time running the race and I really want to better my time from last year's race. My training for the ultra is based on what my coach tells me, I don’t have a specific training for it. It depends on what the coach thinks we have to work on. But my legs feel good, I am ready for anything," he says.