Gongqa raises his hand as next to buck ultra trend

Champ eager to do it back-to-back

Ultra marathons are by nature hard to predict and, as such, it is rare for the champions to go back and defend their titles.

Sometimes they don’t bother to tackle the distance again.

One such event is the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, which has seen 11 different winners exchange the title of the 56km Easter weekend flagship race since Zimbabwean Marco Mambo’s back-to-back triumph in 2004 and 2005.

On Saturday, a new champion will in all likelihood unseat Lungile Gongqa, whose victory last year arrested a three-year SA drought over the popular Cape Town race.

“Yes, it is difficult to defend ultra titles but I am in such a good shape that I can’t rule out the unthinkable to defend, otherwise I’m sure of a top-10 finish,” pointed out Gongqa.

He will carry the hopes of the nation with the likes of Ludwick Mamabolo on Saturday, among the stars running in the colours of the accomplished Nedbank Running Club.

“If Marco Mambo and Stephen Muzhingi were able to defend, it means it’s doable. I am 39 and this is the right age to compete fiercely in ultra distances,” added Gongqa, the 2016 Olympian.

Muzhingi, of Zimbabwe, won the 2012 Two Oceans at the back of a Comrades hattrick from 2009 to 2011.

Gongqa, who will attempt to improve his time of 3:08:43 from last year, cited the Lesotho duo of Motlokoa Nkhabutlane and Warinyane Lebopo as the real threats to his crown.

Meanwhile, 2015 Comrades winner Gift Kelehe is of the