Photo by Two Oceans Ultra Marathon via Facebook
Newz.Africa, News Desk | South Africa, Africa | 16 April 2026 | Two Oceans Ultra Marathon
Arthur Jantjies won the men’s Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD on Saturday, 11 April 2026, crossing the line in 3:09:25. The result gave the runner from Hopetown, in the Northern Cape, the biggest victory of his ultra marathon career and placed his name alongside the event’s most notable winners. ()
What’s Happening
The official Two Oceans Marathon report says Jantjies produced the decisive move in the closing stages of the 56km race and held on to beat Onalenna Khonkhobe by 35 seconds. SportSplits lists Jantjies first in the men’s ultra marathon in 3:09:25, with Khonkhobe second in 3:10:00 and Blessing Zvikomborero Waison third in 3:11:13.
After the finish, Jantjies described the victory as a landmark moment.
“It’s a phenomenal step – a big step. It’s history,” he said. “I’m just a small-town boy winning Two Oceans. That’s something really special.” He also explained how the race unfolded in the final kilometres, saying, “I know he (Khonkhobe) is faster than me. But in training we always pick up in the last 8km. I stayed close to him, and he gave up too quickly. Then I told myself I’m going to strike now.”
The official event report adds that Jantjies is in only his second ultra marathon, after finishing sixth at the 2025 City to City Marathon in 2:54:26. It says he credited coach John Hamlett and a high-altitude training block in Dullstroom for preparing him for the race. “My coach put me through the worst in Dullstroom where I die in the mountains,” Jantjies said. “Whatever he says, I do. No questions asked.”
The same event report also recorded reaction from Two Oceans Marathon NPC chairperson Chris Goldschmidt, who said the winners’ performances were “truly outstanding”. General manager Wade Bromfield said every finisher had achieved something remarkable and praised the race community around the event.
Newz.Africa Analysis
Jantjies’ win matters because it shows how quickly an emerging athlete can move from promising results to a major title on one of South Africa’s best-known road races. The official report presents the victory as a breakthrough built on tactical patience, altitude training and a late surge rather than an early lead. That gives the result significance beyond the finishing time alone.
The result also underlines the competitiveness of the men’s ultra marathon field. With Khonkhobe, Waison and defending champion Joseph Seutloali all in the lead pack late in the race, the outcome was shaped by a narrow margin and sustained pressure in the final kilometres. The official race account and result table together show how close the contest remained before Jantjies pulled away.
For the event itself, the win strengthens the Two Oceans Marathon’s standing as a race where new names can break through in front of a high-profile field. The official organisers framed the day as one defined by performance and participation, with the men’s and women’s ultra winners both producing results that will shape the rest of the season.
Original reporting
Newz.Africa reviewed the official Two Oceans Marathon race report and the published SportSplits results table. The article is based on those first-hand artefacts.
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