Kipkemboi targets Two Oceans success after winning Masingita Mall Marathon as Khumalo underlines Comrades gold medal credentials

Kenyan top runner Silvester Kipkemboi Kipsang underlined his credentials as a contender for a Two Oceans gold medal with a superb run at the Masingita Mall 4-In-1 in Giyani on Saturday 12 September. Making his debut at the race which is run at just under 500m above sea level, (42.2km), the Nedbank Running Club athlete won the men’s 42,2km event in the impressive time of 2:16:27.

"I feel nice," he told #TheTopRunner moments after his victory. "The course was fine. This is my first marathon because I wanted to qualify for the Two Oceans Marathon. The race was nice, the weather was good."

Kipkemboi was happy with his 2:16:27 clocking saying it gives him confidence that he can do well at next year's Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Kipkemboi finished almost four minutes ahead of second-placed Remaketse Lekaka (2:22:15) and third placed Proud Chauke (2:22:41) to earn R15 000 in prize money, as Lekaka and Chauke pocketed R10 000 and R5 000 respectively.

"I found out about the Masingita Mall 4-in-1 Marathon when I saw a Kenyan (Hosea Maiyo) winning it last year in 2:21:30. I heard the weather is good and it is low altitude, so I decided to come here," he added.

Encouraged by his performance, Kipkemboi who clocked 30:45 to take twentieth position at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 23 August, has set his sights on a strong performance at next year’s Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD.

Puleng Khumalo continued her excellent 2026 form with a third victory of the season after wins at the Mpileng TNU 50km in April and the MiWay Wally Hayward 42km in May. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"Yah, there's a possibility for me to win it because the time I ran today makes me happy. I wanted 2:15, and now I see it is 2:16. It's good. I will improve it as time goes by. I'll go and work on my training."

In the women's race, Puleng Khumalo continued her excellent recent form with a dominant victory. Running in the colours of the newly established Legends Road Runners, the former SA Marathon champion clocked 2:47:35 to win by over five minutes from Omuhle Kubheka (2:52:30) and Maria Shai (2:53:06).

"My coach Harry Maredi knows the place and few of the athletes in my team have been here before. He said I always run tough courses. So, he said you know what? Let’s go to Masingita. It's a nice flat route, we can get a PB there. That's how we decided to come here."

Runners have praised organisers for the excellent route run through Giyani. Photo Credit: Masingita Mall.

"Yoh! It feels very good. I am more than happy with my time. It was a good time. The course is so nice. I was aiming for 2:45 but then I think the course could be a bit longer. Anyway, the main thing is that I wanted to run sub 2:48 to qualify for the Comrades Marathon next year as an elite, so I got it."