Foreign athletes delivered a commanding performance at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD in the Mother City this morning (Sunday, 12 April 2026) as Felix Kibet Masai of Kenya won the men’s race in the fastest time since 2017 (the current course has been in use since 2012), while Nambia’s Lavina Haitope dominated an open women’s race to produce the biggest victory of her road running career.
Lining up as an unknown quantity against many of his South African opponents, Kibet Masai, who set a 10km personal best of 27:24 in France on 4 April, shocked the field with a flying start. Accompanied by his compatriots Shadrack Ngumbau Musyoka and Joshua Mengich, the trio clocked 15:35 for the first five kilometres before crossing halfway in 31:27. With the damage done, all the East Africans had to do was maintain the pace. Although George Kusche who finished as the first South African in fourth position tried valiantly to give chase, Masai, Musyoka and Mengich stayed ahead cresting Southern Cross Drive together roughly 20 seconds clear.
The Kenyans swept the podium as Masai recorded a commanding 1:03:17 victory, which was just one second outside Namakoe Nkhasi’s 1:03:16 course record set nine years ago.
As his South African representative Chris Bruwer explains, Masai is part of a group of Kenyans that have based themselves in The Mother City to prepare for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on 10 May. He hopes that Masai’s approach to training and racing will inspire local athletes.
“Felix is an athlete that is represented by Golazo Sports Marketing. I met the owner of Golazo in December when he was here in Stellenbosch and we agreed for some of his athletes to come for a training camp and run for our club (Go Tyme Bank Running Club). The thinking is that with Yanga (Malusi) and William (Kaptein) living with them for a month and Bruce-Lynn Damons also training with them, our local elites can get some exposure to the type of training and intensity that the guys who are running under 28 minutes for 10km do. The idea is for them to improve and learn,” says Bruwer.
In the women’s race, Haitope was unchallenged as she breasted the tape in 1:14:36. The Nedbank Running Club athlete who won the 2025 Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon in Gqeberha, finished almost two minutes clear of 2022 champion Fortunate Chidzivo of Zimbabwe (1:16:29) and more than three minutes before Emma Pallant-Browne crossed the finish line in third position (1:18:09). A podium finisher in 2013 and the owner of three Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD top 10 finishes, Haitope used her knowledge of the course to her advantage.
“It was tough. It was very hilly. I’m happy with my time. I decided to go early because the pace was too slow. I just ran my pace. I had to pick up the pace because they were running 3:30 min/km, which was too slow so I had to pick up. I’m happy,” confirms Haitope.
Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC: “Congratulations to all the runners who crossed the finish line today, and a special well done to our winners – Felix Masai and Lavinia Haitope for their outstanding performances. The Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD is all about embracing the joy of running, pushing personal limits, and enjoying the unique energy of race day. Seeing so many participants achieve their goals and share in the excitement on the course was truly inspiring, and it’s moments like these that make this event such a highlight on the running calendar.”
Sharing in the celebration of today’s finishers, Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Race General Manager Wade Bromfield said: “A huge congratulations to today’s winners and every runner who took part in the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD. Whether chasing a personal best, celebrating a milestone, or simply enjoying the race experience, all participants showed great determination and spirit. The atmosphere on the course and at the finish line was electric, and it was a joy to celebrate the achievements of every runner in this iconic event.”
EVENT INFORMATION: Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD
1. Friday 10 April 2026 / Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Trail Run
24km Winners
Men: Collin Kanyimo / 02:02:07
Women: Ebeth Marais / 02:18:03
16km Winners
Men: Melikhaya Msizi / 01:18:12
Women: Louise Muller / 01:30:34
2. Saturday 11 April 2026 / Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon
Men: Arthur Jantjies / 03:09:25
Women: Gerda Steyn / 03:27:43
3. Sunday 12 April 2026 / Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon
Men: Felix Masai / 01:03:17
Women: Lavinia Haitope / 01:14:36
2026 PRIZE PURSE: The iconic Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon boasted an impressive, combined prize purse of R2.6 million in 2026. Both the Ultra Marathon and the Half Marathon enjoyed a boost in prize money, with the Ultra Marathon offering R2 177 400 and the Half Marathon a substantial R422 600. Read more about the Prize Purse here: https://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/2026-totalsports-two-oceans-marathon-offers-lucrative-r2-6-million-prize-purse/
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Websites: www.twooceansmarathon.org.za
For entry and/or event related queries please email Patiswa@twooceansmarathon.org.za
CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.
Author: Jacky McClean from NEWSPORT MEDIA on behalf of Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD.
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