"Top ten!" - Comrades specialist Manyedi targets maiden Two Oceans gold

Known for his five gold medals at the Comrades Marathon, Joseph Manyedi is excited to make an impact on theTotalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD on Saturday 11 April 2026, with his sights firmly set on securing a maiden gold medal at the iconic race.

"I want to test something," smiled Manyedi. "That's why I want to run Two Oceans, which will also be part of my preparations for the Comrades Marathon."

Manyedi celebrates his top 30 finish during the 2025 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

Acknowledging his modest Two Oceans Marathon record, where his personal best stands at 3:24:46, Manyedi - who has broken the 2:20 barrier in the standard marathon - has spent the first quarter of the 2026 season preparing to race the event competitively. In previous years, he has often used the race as a long training run ahead of the Comrades Marathon.

On 22 February, Manyedi finished fourth (2:34:50) at the notoriously hilly and very competitive Balwin Run Series Pretoria Marathon which signalled his intentions for 11 April.

Manyedi acknowledges the crowd after claiming a fifth gold medal at the 2025 Comrades Marathon. The 43-year-old says even though he is aiming to earn a maiden Two Oceans gold medal, the 56km race is ultimately part of his preparation for Comrades. Photo Credit: North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation.

"I just came here (referring to the Balwin Run Series Pretoria Marathon) to test my fitness because I haven't done too many hills or long runs. Two Oceans is a tough race just like Balwin," he explained.

The 43-year-old ultra marathon specialist will run The World’s Most Beautiful Ultra Marathon as part of a strong Maxed Elite Running Club team that grabbed four of the ten men's gold medals on offer in the 56km race last year. The top runner from the North-West Province believes his Two Oceans time has come.

"My target is to get a top ten finish," Manyedi proudly admits.