No stiff or sore legs for Two Oceans champ

TWO DAYS after the Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Town’s latest running superstar, Lungile Gongqa, was relaxing with his family at his Khayelitsha home and looking ahead to his next challenges.

Totally depleted at the Two Oceans finish, having given his all to secure the biggest victory of his career, Gongqa’s recovery has been remarkable.

Although he had not laced a pair of running shoes since his victory, the 37-year-old, pictured, was feeling fresh and ready for more.

“I feel good – I’ve recovered and feeling strong again,” Gongqa remarked yesterday. “I was pretty exhausted at the end of the race, but luckily I recover quickly!

“My legs are not stiff or sore today.”

Many were applauding Gongqa’s win as his ultra-marathon debut, but the star previously completed the Oceans, placing a modest 29th in 3:25:04 in 2012. That experience came in handy in the latter stages of the race on Saturday.

“I was not confident of winning and at 42km in Hout Bay, I was just trying to keep up with the leaders,” admitted Gongqa.

“But I remembered the climb up Constantia Nek and started to feel more confident. Just after the top of the climb, I passed around some water sachets to the others in the group. I like to help, but it was also to test them, to see how strong they were and to show I was feeling good.”

The tactic proved a master-stroke, as Gongqa accelerated away shortly after, with only Lesotho’s Warinyane Lebopo able to stay in contention, until another Gongqa surge 4km from the finish decided the race.

That Gongqa became the first Cape athlete to win the Two Oceans since Don Hartley broke the tape in 1973, seemed of little consequence to the diminutive Nedbank WP athlete. He was more excited about the prospect of relatively rare time with his wife and eight month old son.

“I spend much of my time at training with my coach, Hendrick Ramaala, and his squad in Johannesburg. So, it’s good to be able to take a break for a week or two and spend time with my family.”

Gongqa’s wife, Ivy, an investigating officer with the SAPS in Khayelitsha, is herself an impressive athlete, having recently posted a top 10 in the Cape Peninsula Half Marathon, just five months after the birth of their first son.

“We met through athletics in the Eastern Cape,” explained Ivy. “I left for Cape Town in 2007 and Lungile followed a year or two later.

“It’s not been easy, with me working full time and Lungile away, but God has been good and my mother looks after the baby during the day,” continued Ivy.

“Lungile’s second place at the Cape Town Marathon in 2015 and now his Two Oceans win has been life changing. We are so grateful.”

Gongqa’s earnings for first overall, first South African and first WP athlete totalled R267 000 and with additional bonuses typically paid by his club, the Gongqa family can plan for a more comfortable and secure future.

“My next race will be the Cape Town 12km in May,” Gongqa remarked. “I already feel recovered and it is still over a month away.”

While Gongqa’s primary running base is in Joburg, Gongqa enjoys racing in the Cape and won the WP Half Marathon title in Tokai in February and the Milkwood Half Marathon title last month.