Two Oceans Marathon Winners Score Gold With New Kia Seltos SUVs

Two Oceans winners Onalenna Khonkobe and Gerda Steyn of the male and female classes have not only scored gold in the Cape Town event, but also a set of new wheels sponsored by Kia South Africa. 

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The Two Oceans ultra-marathon took place in April of this year and while it has been several months since savouring the silverware, both male and female winner Onalenna Khonkobe and Gerda Steyn are still reaping the rewards of the achievements courtesy of Kia South Africa. Prize presentations only commenced this month following the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) declaring the race results drug-free.

“The spectacle that the Two Oceans Marathon creates each year creates a great alignment with our brand slogan, ‘Movement that inspires’, and it’s been fitting that the world’s most beautiful marathon has been supported by a car brand renowned for design over the past two years,” comments Paul Turnbull, CEO, Kia South Africa. “We celebrate the success of Onalenna and Gerda in this year’s race and applaud their indomitable spirit that erases all mental and physical limits. With our leading unlimited kilometre warranty, we’re confident that the Kia vehicles they drive will perfectly complement their lifestyles and achievements.”

A total of 12 229 runners were at the start line of the 2024 Two Oceans ultra-marathon, but it was 28-year-old Onalenna Khonkobe, from the Sekhing village outside Taung in the North West Province, who took the ultimate glory in this year’s ultra-marathon by finishing in 3:09:30.

“I am happy and truly blessed to have the gift of running, and I’m honoured to be driving a brand-new Kia for the next year,” he said upon the receiving the keys to his sponsored Kia Seltos 1.5 CRDi EX Plus. “My thanks goes to Kia South Africa for this prize, and also to Nick Bester and the team at the Nedbank Running Club. I will be doing my best to defend my win next year!”

On the female front, it was Gerda Steyn, who has for several years been considered the undisputed queen of long-distance running who took the title. To further substantiate her crown, Steyn secured this position with her fifth consecutive Two Oceans Marathon win in 2024. Steyn finished this year’s 56km route in 3:26:54, decimating her own 2023 record of 3:29:06, in the process becoming the first athlete to achieve such massive success. As in 2023, Steyn continued to also win the 2024 Comrades Marathon – for the second consecutive year – in 5:49:46.

“I am now into my second year with Kia after crossing the line in first place again this year, and I’m extremely appreciative for their support,” comments Steyn. “I have been thoroughly impressed by the quality and amount of features on the vehicles. I have had the pleasure of driving both the Sportage and Seltos, but beyond that, I got to know the people behind the brand, who are as passionate about Kia as I am about my running! I am truly grateful to have a such a wonderful brand behind me with every step of the way. I always feel confident driving the Kia and now I have an added incentive to make sure that I perform as my very best on race day.”

The Seltos is available in South Africa in a choice of several grades, in either petrol or diesel powertrains with a displacement of 1.5-litres. Pricing spans from R467 995 for the entry-level LX MT to R626 996 for the range-topping T-GDi GT-Line DCT. As standard, all models ship with Kia’s five-year/unlimited km warranty. A five-year/90 000 km service plan is also included.

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