While his form over the past twelve months suggests he should line up as one of the pre-race favourites, George Kusche remains measured and focused ahead of the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon on Sunday, 12 April 2026.
The Nedbank Running Club star has firmly positioned himself as one of the athletes to watch in 2026 after claiming fourth position (2:20:48) at the African Bank Soweto Marathon in November last year, setting a new course record and winning the hilly Biogen 21k in Johannesburg in January in 1:05:32, and smashing his personal best by more than five minutes for a dominant 2:15:02 victory at the Balwin Run Series Peninsula Marathon on 15 February.
“I’ve been slowly getting better. I haven’t changed anything in my training, I’ve just been doing what I’ve been doing and it’s compounding. So I’ve been feeling stronger,” said Kusche.
The upward trend can be traced back more than a decade, when the now 27-year-old first emerged as a prolific middle-distance athlete at Die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria. His dominance made Kusche the target of American college scouts who recruited him to Northern Arizona University where he competed on the highly competitive US College NCAA Circuit returning as a sub-4-minute miler and the holder of a 13:28.95 5000m personal best.
“I’m very grateful for my experience in the US. I enjoyed it a lot and had some good experiences with some great coaches and athletes. I’m coaching myself now, so it certainly helps me to look back at the training I did and try and recreate those circumstances.”
Upon returning to the land of his birth, Kusche initially took a break from running in 2023 and then started racing again in 2024 – this time on the road where he enjoyed almost immediate success. Making his debut at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon in April 2024, just seven days after running a career-best 28:56 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K, Kusche led until the halfway mark before being overtaken by eventual winner Thabang Mosiako. He secured the runner-up position in 1:05:31 after narrowly edging Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo on the line, describing his maiden Two Oceans experience as unlike any other.
“I actually wasn’t a big road running fan just because I’d never done it before, but as I’m getting into it I’m starting to enjoy it now. Two Oceans is one of those races that everybody wants to run. It’s a big race and everybody has a family member or a friend that competes in either the 21km or the 56km. So when I ran it for the first time I was excited for it because I knew there would be a lot of people competing and it’s always fun when a lot of people compete. Two Oceans is one of the races you have to run.”
His passion for the World’s Most Beautiful Half Marathon and love for racing, means that even though the Comrades Marathon is his main race of the season, Kusche will be watched closely by all of his competitors when he lines up in The Mother City on 12 April.
“I want to do my best at Comrades. There’s no point in talking about the outcome. All I need to do is focus on the process. If I start talking about the outcome that’s when things start going wrong. So I keep my back against the wall and keep on working hard.”
“George Kusche’s entry adds real depth and excitement to this year’s field,” says Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC. “His performances over the past 12 months have been exceptional, and we are thrilled to welcome an athlete of his calibre to the start line of the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon. The competition is stronger than ever, and we look forward to seeing him showcase his talent on one of the world’s most iconic road running stages.”
Wade Bromfield, General Manager of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, added: “George has firmly established himself
as one of South Africa’s standout road runners. His recent results – including a record-breaking victory at the Biogen 21k and a dominant performance at the Balwin Run Series Peninsula Marathon – underline his potential. We are excited to have him back at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon, where his passion for the event and competitive spirit will undoubtedly make for an exciting race.”
EVENT INFORMATION: Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon 2026
| Thursday 09 April 2026 | Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon International Friendship Run |
| Friday 10 April 2026 | Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Trail Run |
| Saturday 11 April 2026 | Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon |
| Sunday 12 April 2026 | Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon |
2026 PRIZE PURSE: The iconic Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon boasts an impressive, combined prize purse of R2.6 million in 2026. Both the Ultra Marathon and the Half Marathon will enjoy a boost in prize money, with the Ultra Marathon offering R2 177 400 and the Half Marathon a substantial R422 600. Read more about the Prize Purse here: https://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/2026-totalsports-two-oceans-marathon-offers-lucrative-r2-6-million-prize-purse/
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Websites: www.twooceansmarathon.org.za
For entry and/or event related queries please email Patiswa@twooceansmarathon.org.za
About the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon:
The Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon is one of South Africa’s most iconic running events, widely celebrated as “the world’s most beautiful marathon.” It features two flagship events – the renowned 56km Ultra Marathon and the hugely popular 21.1km Half Marathon – both offering runners unforgettable coastal and mountain scenery around the Cape Peninsula.
About the Two Oceans Marathon NPC:
The Two Oceans Marathon NPC is the owner and custodian of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, responsible for the event’s heritage, brand identity, public-benefit mandate, overseeing the delivery of world-class experiences for its entrants, and long-term strategic direction. The TOM NPC ensures the event will continue to positively impact local communities and promote Cape Town and South Africa, on the global stage.
About Stillwater Sports:
Stillwater Sports is the appointed Staging and Commercial Partner of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon under a long-term licensing and staging agreement, concluded with the TOM NPC. In terms of the agreement, Stillwater Sports is responsible for delivering world-class event operations, enhancing the runner experience, driving commercial growth, all while expanding the event’s reach and runner value. Stillwater Sports is a leading Sports Marketing and Event Management Agency, based in South Africa, and active across Southern Africa.
