The defending champion of the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon, Bennett Seloyi, is determined not to relinquish his title this year, while Stephen Mokoka – who boasts an impressive CV that includes five gold medals, four of them victories, and is one of the most decorated runners to ever compete in the event – will be looking to add to his golden collection when he lines up once again on Sunday, April 12.
While the 56km Ultra Marathon will take place on Saturday, the 21km race will take place the following day on Sunday.
Tough line-up
“To be honest it’s going to be tough. Very, very tough,” said Seloyi.
The Boxer Athletics Club top runner ran an incredible 2:13:22 at altitude to win the Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Big Hole Marathon last November.
“I know the lineup is very tough, but I’m going to defend my title. If I don’t win, I must at least finish in the top three. If you know, you know.”
Mokoka’s extraordinary legacy
Mokoka, South Africa’s second fastest half marathoner of all time (59:36), who also happens to be Two Oceans Half Marathon Blue Number Club (BNC) ‘royalty’, has fond memories of the race he won on debut in 2009 in 1:03:42 after defeating the likes of Lusapho April and Tshamano Setone to lead a new generation of local distance runners onto the national stage.
Fast forward to 2026, and Mokoka has become one of Two Oceans’ most celebrated and respected BNC members – an honour reserved for those who have completed the race at least ten times, or, in Mokoka’s case, for having won the Half Marathon three times or more (an extraordinary four victories to be precise).
Renowned for his consistency, competitive spirit, and dedication to the race, Mokoka has built an extraordinary legacy on the Two Oceans stage. He has firmly established himself as one of the event’s modern greats. His presence on the start line continues to inspire fellow runners and underscores the prestige and tradition of the Blue Number Club at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon.
Blue Number pride
Mokoka says the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon remains close to his heart: “When I first did it, I saw how people go for their Easter Holidays and support their families on the road. The support we get from the crowd is amazing. I’ve won it four times and finished third once. The short cut to getting a Blue Number is to win it three times. So, I was very happy to realise that I have a Blue Number. It’s historic as well. It means a lot.”
Now 41 years old, Mokoka returns to the half marathon for the first time since 2019 when he claimed third position. The former 50km World Record holder’s decision to take part in the 21km after running the 56km race in 2024 and 2025, is based on a need to test his fitness before racing the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on 24 May.
‘I need my A-Game’
“It’s part of preparation but every time you go to a race you must give your A-Game. The Two Oceans Half Marathon is not pancake flat. In fact, the elevation gain of the entire 21km is more or less the same as that of the Cape Town Marathon. So for me it’s a test to see if my body is strong yet. If it’s not strong then I can come back to training and push a bit of work.”
“All I’m going to try and do is get a better position. I finished third last time I ran, so I’m hopeful that this time around I’ll finish in a better position.”
Lining up against the likes of defending champion Seloyi, 59:52 half marathoner Thabang Mosiako, the in-form George Kusche, and local hero Anthony Timotheus, Mokoka is correct in his assertion that he will need his full A-game to extend his streak to five podium finishes from as many starts.
Seloyi in particular, who clocked 1:04:42 on his Two Oceans Marathon debut last year, will be difficult to break given his determination to defend his title.
- Defending champion Bennett Seloyi aims to retain his Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon title on April 12, despite acknowledging a tough competition.
- Stephen Mokoka, a highly decorated runner with four past half marathon victories and a member of the Blue Number Club, seeks to secure a better position than his third-place finish in 2019.
- Mokoka, 41, uses the half marathon as a fitness test ahead of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on May 24, emphasizing the race’s challenging elevation comparable to that marathon.
- The event will feature strong contenders including Seloyi, Thabang Mosiako, George Kusche, and local favorite Anthony Timotheus.
- Mokoka values the race for its community support, personal legacy, and the prestige of the Blue Number Club, awarded to those with multiple wins or ten completions.
While the 56km Ultra
“To be honest it’s going to be tough. Very, very tough,” said Seloyi.
“I know the lineup is very tough, but I’m going to defend my title. If I don’t win, I must at least finish in the top three. If you know, you know.”
Mokoka,
Fast forward to 2026, and Mokoka has become one of Two Oceans’ most celebrated and respected BNC members – an honour reserved for those who have completed the race at least ten times, or, in Mokoka’s case, for having won the Half
Renowned for his consistency, competitive spirit, and dedication to the race, Mokoka has built an extraordinary legacy on the Two Oceans stage. He has firmly established himself as one of the event’s modern greats. His presence on the start line continues to inspire fellow runners and underscores the prestige and tradition of the Blue
Mokoka says the Totalsports Two Oceans
Now 41 years old, Mokoka returns to the half marathon for the first time since 2019 when he claimed third position.
“It’s part of preparation but every time you go to a race you must give your A-Game.
“All I’m going to try and do is get a better position. I finished third last time I ran, so I’m hopeful that this time around I’ll finish in a better position.”
Seloyi in particular, who clocked 1:04:42 on his Two Oceans
