Kanyimo and Marais sparkle on the slopes of Devil’s Peak as trail running opens the Two Oceans weekend.

Zimbabwe-born Nedbank athlete, Colllin Kanyimo, regained his title in the Totalsports Two Oceans Long Trail Race over 24km this morning (Friday 10 April) while running doctor Ebeth Marais remains unbeaten in her re-launched trail-running career, taking the honours over a quality women’s field.

Almost 700 trail runners took part in perfect conditions in two races over 16km and 24km, returning a top-quality trail event to the Two Oceans Marathon bouquet of races over the weekend.

The challenging trail races started and finished on the UCT Green Mile and took place on the slopes of Devil’s Peak and Table Mountain. The Long Trail included much of the traditional route from the time it was first run in 2010, albeit in reverse direction.

The race started out with a circuit through Newlands Forest before reaching Kings Blockhouse along the contour path, racing past the Saddle via the Middle Traverse before returning to the UCT campus via the Lower Traverse.

Part of the trails, including the start and finish venue at UCT, will be used for next year’s World Mountain and Trail Championships and a high-level delegation of technical experts from World Athletics and its trail and mountain running partners were in attendance to assess aspects of the routes and the event logistics.

“So far we’re really pleased with what we have seen,” said World Athletics Running Project Manager, Brazilian Natacha Manchado.

“Cape Town’s a great place to host the championships and the mountain backdrop is stunning. Our technical experts are working closely with local trail organisers to ensure compliance with the championship guidelines and standards.”

For Kanyimo it was a case of many happy returns, having won the Two Oceans Long Trail Race in 2022 and the competitive 43km Cape Town Trail Marathon in 2024. And from the time he drew away from the lead group in Newlands Forest, 4km into the race, there was only going to be one winner, and he raced home in an impressive 2 hr 02 min 07 sec.

“My plan was to run away on the climbs, I am stronger there, down runs are difficult for me. These days I am specialising in road races. So, I know that I have speed. I pushed on the climb up to the contour path to open a big gap so I could relax when I reached the descents.”

Kanyimo drew steadily away from his rivals and was four minutes clear of 2026 Pass to Pass Marathon winner, Iain Peterkin, on the descent from the Saddle, two thirds into the race.

Siviwe Nkombi, who won the Pass to Pass 25km in February, finished strongly to overhaul Peterkin and claim second in 2:06:25 with Peterkin rounding out the podium a minute further back.

Leading Western Cape trail athlete, Mila Geldenhuys, took an early lead in the women’s race, climbing strongly to the contour path, before former Marais hauled her in at the King’s Blockhouse.

“I felt good,” Geldenhuys reflected. “But Ebeth was running so strongly it was impossible to stay with her.  But I’m happy with second.”

Marais moved further away in the second half to cross the finish line at the UCT Green Mile in 2:18:03, 2 min 25 sec clear of Geldenhuys with Cape Town-based American Emily Djock third.  

“I only started running trail more seriously last year,” Marais said. “I just love the Cape Town trails and knew that the route would be great, while the support along the way was amazing. It was unbelievable to cross the finish line first.”

Marais spends her working hours just a few hundred metres away from part of today’s route – she is working towards a neurological science specialisation at Groote Schuur Hospital. “But we never get any off time at lunch to train on those trails, it is far to busy for that,” Marais laughed.

Knysna-based former Whale of Trail double winner, Melikhaya Mzisi, won an exciting race in the 16km Short Trail, finishing in 1:18:12, just 44 seconds clear of Jonathan Black, while Louise Muller triumphed by 15 minutes over Elzanne Kuun in the women’s contest.

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