After finishing as runner-up last year, Sboniso Sikhakhane is confident that Saturday, 11 April 2026, will be the day he claims his first-ever Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD victory. The Entsika Athletics Club top runner clocked 3:11:18 in 2025 to cross the finish line just 31 seconds after Joseph Khoarahlane Seutloali had breasted the tape. It’s a memory that still lingers in his mind as he polishes his preparations to tackle the demanding 56km route on 11 April. Sikhakhane reveals that he has been replaying that moment in his mind, which has left him determined to go one better in 2026.
“I still think I should have won the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon last year. I had a good strategy on how to attack the race from the start to the end. It all worked out well till the latter stages of the race. I made a huge mistake when I went to fetch a water bottle where I wasn’t supposed to. I gave Khoarahlane an opportunity to open a gap which made it hard for me to recover. But I have moved past it as everything is planned by God,” said Sikhakhane who trains under the watchful eye of 2004 New York Marathon winner Hendrick Ramaala.
For Sikhakhane, his preparations for the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon closely resemble those that yielded his impressive runner-up performance last year. The 35-year-old from Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal chose to once again participate in the FNB Kazungula Marathon, where he produced a 2:19:17 performance to finish second overall behind Isaac Mpofu of Zimbabwe. That was more than five minutes faster than the 2:24:53 he ran to claim seventh place during the 2025 edition of the prominent race staged in Botswana.
Sboniso Sikhakhane approaching the finish line during the 2025 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon . Photo credits: Action Photos
“I didn’t see a reason to change what worked for me last year, which is why I decided to participate in the Kazungula Marathon just like I did last year. I love that race; it gives me the clear indication on where to adjust my training going forward. The conditions were hot on race day, but I did well to adapt. My aim was to go there and clock 2 hours and 20 minutes, which I managed to achieve. I now have to discuss with coach where we can strengthen to be fully ready for Two Oceans, ” remarked Sikhakhane.
Sikhakhane, who also took third position at the 2022 edition of the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon in 3:11:30, now aims to improve his time saying he is ready to triumph at one of South Africa’s most iconic road races. “I think I’m in the best shape of my life. My body has been responding well to training. Plus my mind is also strong as I have battled in the past two years. My target is to clock a better time than I have done in the past. I believe it is time for me to win a big race in this country. In the past, I have made mistakes, but I have learned from them.
Winning would be a dream come true as I have been knocking on the door for too long,” he concluded. Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, said: “Sboniso Sikhakhane’s determination and consistency over the years make him a true contender for this year’s Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD. Having finished second last year, it’s inspiring to see him so focused on claiming his first victory.”
Building on Chris’s point, Wade Bromfield, General Manager of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD, highlighted the excitement Sboniso brings to this year’s race: “Every year, the Ultra Marathon brings out remarkable stories of resilience and ambition. Sboniso’s drive to turn last year’s near-miss into a win perfectly embodies the spirit of the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD.”