'There's no point being too proud' - Kusche smashes PB to win Balwin Run Series Peninsula Marathon by over 6 mins

Just like he did when he dominated the Biogen 21k in Bedfordview a month ago, George Kusche once again laid waste to all opposition on the way to winning the Balwin Run Series Peninsula Marathon in Cape Town this morning (15 February). Taking advantage of the comparatively windless conditions in the early morning, Kusche led a Nedbank Running Club sweep of the men’s podium when he clocked 2:15:02 which amounted to a 5 minute and 10 second improvement on his previous his previous personal best and a victory by more than six minutes. 2022 champion and multiple Two Oceans gold medalist Sithembiso Mqhele was second in 2:21:30 as Selwyn Matthews of Nedbank South Western Districts claimed third (2:22:29).

"It was very nice. The route was nice and obviously beautiful along the coast so I enjoyed myself," he told #TheTopRunner minutes after crossing the finish line at the Simon's Town Naval Base Sports Grounds, 42km south of the start in Green Point near the heart of Cape Town CBD.

Another resounding victory for Kusche to underline his status as a Comrades Marathon gold medal contender. Photo Credit: Balwin Run Series.

"It's a PB by about five minutes and it’s only my third marathon," said Kusche who claimed an eye catching fourth place at the Africanbank Soweto Marathon in November and 12th position on his Comrades Marathon debut last June. "I've been slowly getting better. I haven't changed anything in my training, I've just been doing what I’ve been doing and it's compounding. I'm happy that I ran well but I’m not going to think too much of it. There's no point in being too proud of yourself. You've gotta keep your head down and work hard if you want to achieve things."

That workman like attitude is sure to serve the sub 4 minute miler well in the crucial moths ahead as he finalises his preparations ahead of his first attempt at a Comrades Marathon Up Run on 14 June where his Green Machine teammate Jenna Challenor will also be looking to win a gold medal. The Durban-based veteran defended the title she twelve months ago to win the women’s race in 2:47:35. Totalsports Two Oceans gold medalist Steph McCall of Great Britain, who has based herself in The Mother City in the lead up to the 56km race on 11 April, finished second (2:51:11) while Nedbank Central Gauteng's Illse Marais took third in 2:58:12 to cap a productive day for Nedbank where they ran away with five of the six podium positions on offer in the 42km race.

Challenor in action at the Bay to Bay 30km in January where she took second place behind Gerda Steyn and followed that up by winning defending her title at the 2026 Balwin Run Series Peninsula Marathon. Photo Credit: Nedbank Running Club.

"It's no surprise that Nedbank is the longest standing elite club. The support we get is phenomenal. Nick organised seconds for us, there were people cheering us on the road which lifts you up. It was awesome. I loved it. It was literally a breeze compared to last year because the wind was there today but bearable," she laughed. 

"It was a comfortable training run to see where I was after Bay to Bay. The main race is definitely Comrades. I’ve got three gold medals at Two Oceans and two gold medals at Comrades. I’ve got three daughters so I need one more gold medal."