Seloyi aims to find best form as Khonkhobe hunts for fast time at Kimberley Big Hole Marathon
Bennett Seloyi is hoping to rediscover his best form and boost his confidence when he lines up for the Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Big Hole Marathon in the Northern Cape on Sunday, 25 October. The Boxer Athletics Club elite athlete enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, establishing himself as one of South Africa's most promising road-running talents. He won the South African Marathon title in February, produced a 28:12 10km personal best in July before ending the year on a high with victory at the Kimberley Big Hole Marathon in 2:13:22 to pocket R200 000.
Seloyi also demonstrated remarkable consistency in the 10km races, securing top-10 finishes in most of the events he contested. However, the 26-year-old admits that he has struggled to replicate last year's success, describing the current season as one of the most challenging of his career.
"Things haven't gone as I predicted this year. Since the beginning of the year, I have failed to get the results I was hoping for. Things haven't gone my way, and I don't remember a race where I have performed at my very best," said Seloyi, who is coached by Best Ngwenya.
Despite the setbacks, Seloyi believes he is gradually finding his rhythm again and there have been some encouraging signs. The 26-year-old Thembisa native clocked a personal best 2:12:17 to take fourteenth position at the Cape Town Marathon in May. However, a groin and hip injury sustained afterwards disrupted his progress. Nevertheless, Seloyi remains optimistic about the last three months of 2026.
"I think I'm starting to peak and beginning to get my form back. I have to be patient with the process. In the end, I need to remain positive and hope that I'm going to bounce back to my very best. I'm looking forward to participating in the Kimberley race this weekend. I think a strong performance would be a good comeback for me, especially because I feel that most people have forgotten about me. It would boost my confidence. My aim is to run a better time than last year. If it happens that I win the race, then it would be a bonus for me," he said.
Seloyi will face off against a host of talented athletes in the Northern Cape, including 2024 Totalsports Two Oceans champion Onalenna Khonkhobe. Fresh off an impressive 28:58 clocking at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 23 August where he grabbed fifth position against some of the country’s finest 10km exponents, Khonkhobe believes he has it within him to run well inside 2:12.
“Onalenna is a one size fits all runner,” said the charismatic Nedbank Running Club ace who is coached by Piou Mpolokeng in Klerksdorp. “I can run any distance from 10km to the ultras. Remember that it’s all mental. That’s how I do it. You can be physically fit, but if you’re mentally lacking you won’t make it. I’m going to run the Kimberley Marathon which will lead me to ultimate goal of running a sub 2:10 marathon on a flat course at sea level early next year.”
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