Nedbank Running Club Archives

30th July 202630th July 2026

Khonkhobe gets his prize money after illegal DQ (still waiting for promised apology from AGW)

Onnalenna Khonkhobe was illegally disqualified at the KHS Founders Half Marathon in Kimberly on 16 May and lost out on the first prize of R15,500. Khonkhobe had forgotten his ASA license number at home and therefore bought and ran in a temporary license. This is perfectly legal – in fact this is why temporary licenses were originally created and is explicitly allowed in the ASA rulebook.

24th May 202624th May 2026

Khonkhobe Incorrectly Disqualified by AGW Referee: AGW refuse to reinstate him as race winner despite admitting mistake

These days it seems that provincial athletics unions are trying to outdo each other in idiocy. Athletics Griqualand West (AGW) take the early lead for Mampara of the Month Award by incorrectly disqualifying KHS Founders Half Marathon winner Onnalenna Khonkhobe, admitting that their senior race referee does not know the rules but refusing to rectify the situation and reinstate him as the race winner.

Onnalenna Khonkhobe is hot property in running circles. He is a rare and unique talent and has a personality that writes its own headlines. Most races would fight to have his winning smile on their start line and would relish the PR possibilities when Khonkhobe crosses their finish line in first position.

Onnalenna Khonkhobe wins the 2024 edition of the Two Oceans ultra marathon (photo Two Oceans Marathon).

PR possibilities are few and far between in Kimberley, one of the smallest running communities in South Africa. Just 1% of the Comrades field (fewer than 200 entrants) hail from the Northern Cape. But on 16 May 2026, there was Onnalenna Khonkhobe at the start line of the little-known KHS Founders Half Marathon. Just over an hour later, Khonkhobe arrived at the school fields for a comfortable 1:04:13 victory. And yet if you look at the official results you’ll see that the ‘winner’ came in well over a minute later – Ambitious Masihleho in 1:05:37.

29th September 202429th September 2024

Coastal Marathon (When you start to go postal…)

[MARATHON #270 / UNIQUE MARATHON #164 / 4 August 2024]

Most people have their Comrades dreams (or more commonly nightmares) in the build up to the event but for the last two years mine have occurred after the race. In late July and early August I was neck deep in the post-Comrades quagmire. I wasn’t sure whether I was mentally in the right space to run a marathon but I figured that if you start to go postal, then it’s time to go coastal…

29th May 202429th May 2024

Giving Comrades plenty of Greeff

Comrades is an event that involves the whole family. For most it is just one member of the family that is actually running but the entire family will have their routines and social activities rescheduled around their Comrades runner’s requirements. In households with kids where both partners run, careful coordination, negotiation and planning is required to ensure that everyone gets in enough distance to secure a medal in June.

However, for some families it’s not just weddings and funerals that brings them together. For these families, Comrades becomes a big day out and a fantastic family outing. Mark, Kathleen, Matthew, Daniel and Joshua Greeff are one such family.

The Greeff family after the Trac N4 Elands Marathon (note Mark’s 1990 Comrades shirt which he only brings out for special occasions).

12th May 201915th May 2019

The Real Gijimas (The original township club)

There is a unique vibe running in South Africa’s townships, it’s a special experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Nowhere is this truer than in the Eastern Cape where the original township running club, The Real Gijimas, make their distinctive maroon mark seen – and their characteristic choruses heard – all across the province.

The Real Gijimas relax after an East London 10km race (photo Goodwill Stoffels).

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23rd June 201820th September 2018

Gaborone Marathon (The Most Expensive Run I’ve Ever Done)

[MARATHON #189 / UNIQUE MARATHON #103 / 13 May 2018]

With the South African marathon running scene on Comrades hiatus from 1 May until the end of July, I had to look further afield to find a marathon to keep my “marathon-a-week” training program going. Luckily one of our sub-Saharan neighbours obliged with the Diacore Gaborone Marathon on 13 May.

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