Old guard vs new wave as Mokoka throws down the gauntlet at Two Oceans Half Marathon

A compelling clash between experience and ambition is set to define Sunday’s Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon, where proven champions and hungry contenders converge over 21km in one of the country’s most highly anticipated road races.

At the centre of the men’s contest is a fascinating generational duel. Stephen Mokoka, now 41, returns with little to prove but plenty to give, embracing his role as both competitor and benchmark. 

A four-time winner of the race, Mokoka insists he is there to “put pressure on the young guys”, framing his presence as both a challenge and a measuring stick for the next wave. South Africa’s second-fastest half marathoner of all time returns to the half marathon for the first time since 2019, when he finished third.

“I have an advantage because if I run with them in the bunch then people will say I inspire them because I’m ageing like a fine wine. If they beat me people tell me not to worry because I’ve had a long career. So, I’m just enjoying it and I’ll try to push as hard as I can. It would be great if I can get a medal,” he said at the pre-race media conference earlier in the week.

Defending champion Bennett Seloyi will lead the charge for the young brigade, and is determined not to relinquish his title this year. Thabang Mosiako, the 2024 champion, also arrives with renewed purpose after an injury-hit 2025 campaign.

“Everything that needs to be in is in. I’m ready,” he warned his rivals. “Running the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon seven times shows deep commitment. Last year wasn’t the best year for me because I started the year with an injury after running my first marathon at the end of 2024.

"I went back to the drawing board to correct the mistakes I made. So, if the weather is good and my body is good, I can take it.”

Also firmly in the mix is Cape Town favourite Anthony Timotheus, whose steady rise continues. His runner-up finish at the Gun Run last year hinted at his potential, and Sunday’s race doubles as a crucial checkpoint ahead of his marathon debut next month.

While the men’s field promises tactical intrigue, the women’s race carries a strong narrative of comeback and legacy in the absence of last year's winner, Mercy Jebet Kibor from Kenya.

Fortunate Chidzivo returns to the race for the first time since her 2022 victory, chasing a second career title and aiming to reaffirm her status among the elite. At 39, she remains a formidable presence, embracing both the competition and the occasion.

“I just want to enjoy being back on the start line. The stronger the competition the better the times we will run. I'll see how my body responds on the day. Let's see if I can rewrite history,” she said.

Her chief rival, Emma Pallant-Browne, adds another layer of intrigue. The 2023 champion is back on the start line just seven months after giving birth, turning her participation into one of the weekend’s most compelling storylines. While race sharpness remains a question, her pedigree ensures she should not be written off.