NORTH West Province born Onnalena Khonkhobe is the 2024 African Bank Soweto Marathon winner and pockets a whooping R250 000.
He recorded a 2:16:36, beating top performers such as Lesotho’s Joseph Seutloali and Kenya’s Kipsang Kipkemoi, on Sunday morning at the Nasrec Expo Center.
The (28) from Klerksdorp confidently alluded he wants to better his record in 2025,” he said post the media conference, also pointing out did not expect to win on his debut in the Soweto Marathon.
“The last two kilometres, it was very tough. My coach told me to use the programme I was using to prepare for the Two Oceans to do the same thing, and it worked.”
In the women’s race, Neheng Khatala of Lesotho clogged in 2:43:07 to win.
Khonkhobe’s win follows in the footsteps of Ntsindiso Mphakathi, another North West Province’s compatriot, who won the race in two consecutive years.
The 2024 edition of the race was oversubscribed as runners and fans registered to partake.
Image provided (Punching the air with aplomb towards the finishing line. Onnalena Khonkhobe is the 2024 African Bank Soweto Marathon winner).