William Kaptein ‘Span die Seile” with historic Two Oceans Half Marathon victory

08 Apr William Kaptein ‘Span die Seile” with historic Two Oceans Half Marathon victory

The crowds at the finish of the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon erupted in song as they celebrated a stunning victory by local hero William Kaptein on Sunday, 6 April.

The 32-year-old athlete from Robertson, now residing in Lansdowne, Cape Town, representing the Tymebank Langa Athletic Club, humbly acknowledged the cheers as fans sang, “Kaptein span die Seile, Kaptein hy is myne!” (Captain, he is mine).

Kaptein’s victory came as no surprise to those who had heard his bold prediction at Friday’s elite athletes’ media conference, where he confidently stated he would win.

Over 16,000 runners participated in 26th edition of the race, which was held under sunny conditions with temperatures climbing above 27°C by the time the backmarkers finished.

The race organizers had to implement emergency measures due to a heat warning, including adding extra water stations, deploying more medical staff, and shortening the course slightly. While this adjustment affected the race’s official times, it did not dampen the excitement of Kaptein’s performance.

Kaptein’s victory marked a historic moment for the Western Cape, as he became the first athlete from the region to win the half marathon since Makhosonke Fika’s triumph when the 21.1 km was first introduced alongside the 56km ultra in 1998. It is also fitting that Fika coincidentally also hails from Langa, the oldest township in South Africa.

“I always dreamt of winning the Two Oceans Half Marathon and to be only the second person [based in Cape Town and a club member of Western Province Athletics (WPA)] to win the race is a massive honour,” an elated Kaptein said in a exclusive interview immediately after the race.

“The feeling is amazing because I  would never have thought that I would win the Two Oceans (21km). It’s confirmation that Cape Town  had talented athletes. It’s only the discipline, the commitment, the consistency and and focus that has to be correct. A few years ago it seemed like an impossible dream for me, but today I can say nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself.

“I joined the Tymebank Langa Athletic club three years ago. It’s clear that the support I got from them helped a lot. I would just like to thank coach Chris Bruwer, Coach Ernie Gruhn as well as Chairperson Aubrey Isaacs for believing in me.”

Farouk Meyer, President of WPA,  said it was heartwarming to see a local athlete from one of  WPA’s clubs achieving success in such a spectacular manner.

“Yes, it’s been a while since we had a local win the race. So, congratulations to William. It’s always great when one of our own athletes wins a major race like the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon.  It’s a testament to the all hard work and effort put in by our athletes, coaches and administrators. It shows that we are moving in the right direction,” Meyer said proudly.

CHAMPIONS: Kenyan Mercy Kibet Kibor winner of the women’s race and men’s winner William Kaptein Photo: Adnaan Mohamed

At the 4km mark, Kaptein made his move, climbing Edinburgh Drive with a surge that left the chasing pack behind. “We all thought he’d gone too early,” said Bennet Seloyi, a national champion in 10 km and marathon, “but he never came back.”

Seloyi, along with other top athletes like former winner Namakoe Nkhasi, national 10 km champion Collen Mulaudzi, and Kenyan Reuben Mosip, tried to chase down Kaptein, but he maintained his lead throughout.

By the time Kaptein reached the 10km mark, he was 22 seconds ahead of the pack. At the 15km mark, he extended his lead to 25 seconds over Nkhasi, Seloyi, and Mosip. Despite efforts from the chasing trio, Kaptein increased his pace on the downhill stretch and held his lead.

As he crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 41 seconds, he secured the biggest win of his career, finishing just two seconds ahead of Seloyi. Nkhasi took third, eight seconds behind Seloyi.

The race field included a strong lineup, with athletes like Nkhasi, Thabang Mosiako, and Simon Sibeko, but Kaptein’s performance stood out. He credited his success to his previous training with the Endurocad program and coach Ernie Gruhn, who had instilled confidence in him. “I believed I could win,” he said.

CREAMOF THE CROP: Totalsports Two Oceans half Marathon Top 10 finishers. Photo: Adnaan Mohamed

Kaptein’s journey to victory was not without struggles. After leaving the Endurocad program in 2015, he faced personal issues that took him away from athletics for several years. But with the support of his fiancée and coach, he made a successful comeback, gradually improving his performance over the past three years.

Looking ahead, Kaptein has big aspirations. “I’m targeting the ABSA 10km in Cape Town, hoping to go under 29 minutes. My ultimate dream is to race in the 2028 Olympics, and I believe my best shot will be in the marathon,” he shared.

With a strong support system in Robertson, Stellenbosch, and Cape Town, Kaptein is poised to continue his remarkable journey in athletics.

This victory is not just a personal triumph but a symbol of the possibilities that lie ahead for Kaptein as he sets his sights on even greater achievements.

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