Zimbabwean Runner Nobuhle Tshuma Claims Bronze After Dramatic Finish at Two Oceans Marathon 2026

Kudakwashe Takundwa

Zimbabwean long-distance runner Nobuhle Tshuma produced a heroic performance to clinch bronze at the Two Oceans Marathon 2026, collapsing shortly after crossing the finish line following a punishing race.

Tshuma battled extreme fatigue in the closing stages and crawled across the line to secure third place in the women’s race with a time of 3:38:34. Her effort earned her R100,000 in prize money and drew widespread admiration for her determination and resilience on one of the sport’s toughest stages.

The race was once again dominated by South Africa’s Gerda Steyn, who secured her seventh consecutive title, further cementing her dominance in the event.

Reflecting on her journey, Tshuma said her running career began in 2012 as a personal fitness goal before evolving into a passion and profession. Born in Silobela in 1994, she later moved to South Africa in search of opportunities, where she built a life as a hairdresser and nail technician while developing her athletics career.

“I started running back in 2012 just to lose weight. I was almost 90 kilograms at the time. I would wake up in the morning and go for a jog just to stay fit. As I kept losing weight, I realised I loved running. That’s when I saw that running can actually change your life.”

In preparation for the 2026 race, Tshuma said she trained in Kenya and credited the high-intensity build-up for her strong performance, noting that she arrived injury-free and fully prepared.

“I prepared very well for this race in Kenya. Everything went smoothly, with no injuries, no problems. I was ready.”

This year marked her third appearance at the Two Oceans Marathon, where she continued her steady rise from previous finishes of sixth and fourth place.