STATISTICS

In our regular Stats Section, we dig down into some of the interesting Blue Number Club( BNC) statistics from the entrant list for the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon and Half Marathon.( Just note that these stats may change in coming months as charity entries, substitutions and trail entries are processed and added.)

BLUE NUMBERS

1110 Ultra Blues 1441 Half Blues

These are the total number of 2026 entrants who have already earned a Blue Number, but note that some Ultra Marathon entrants hold a Light Blue Number in the Half Marathon, while some Half Marathon entrants hold a Blue Number in the Ultra, so these figures do not represent the exact number of BNC runners in each race.

GOING FOR DOUBLE BLUE

These are the runners who will be aiming for going for their 20th finish and Double Laurel Blue Number. These runners will wear distinctive yellow-striped numbers on race day, so will also be easy to spot. A notable runner here is Albert Thembile Ngcanga, the oldest entrant going for his 20th Ultra medal, who is aiming to run his first Two Oceans since 2019, at the age of 75.

34 GOING FOR 20 IN THE ULTRA

Gender: 25 men, 9 women Oldest: Albert Thembile Ngcanga( 75) Youngest: Frank Kellerman( 43)

CHASING TRIPLE BLUE

After 54 editions of the Ultra Marathon, just 97 runners have achieved a Triple Laurel Blue Number for completing the race 30 times, and this number includes just three women. In 2026, a total of 11 runners will be looking to join this select club, including one woman, Kim Pain( Blue Number 2213). These runners deserve a special cheer if you spot on race day!

Oldest: Lawrence Ashworth( 79) Youngest: Curtiss Rajoo( 53)

Sean Kirsten

YELLOW NUMBERS

These are the runners who will be aiming for their 10th finish in order to earn a Blue Number in the Ultra Marathon or a Light Blue Number in the Half Marathon. These runners will wear Yellow numbers on race day, and will be easy to spot, so wish them well on their voyage if you see them!

230 GOING FOR 10 IN THE ULTRA

Gender: 186 men, 44 women Oldest: Dorothy Graham( 70) Youngest: Leon Janse van Rensburg( 33)

299 GOING FOR 10 IN THE HALF

Gender: 140 men, 159 women Oldest: Willemien Smuts( 85) Youngest: Jemma Meuldijk( 28)

Jemma Meuldijk

22 GOING FOR 20 IN THE HALF

Gender: 15 men, 7 women Oldest: Les Hanna( 78) Youngest: Sean Kirsten( 44)

BLUES

Albert Thembile Ngcanga

FOR TRUE BLUE

TOM

Tom Johnson already has two Blue Numbers, having earned Blue Number 2691 for 10 Ultra finishes, as well as Light Blue Number 513 in the Half Marathon, but if he completes the 2026 Half Marathon, he will add the distinction of a Double Light Blue for his 20th Half Marathon medal.

Tom Johnson

Kim Pain

AIMING FOR A SECOND BLUE

( including 27 women) have achieved the distinction of earning a Blue Number in the Ultra Marathon as well as a Light Blue Number in the Half Marathon – and it is more common for‘ retired’ ultra runners to focus on shorter distances later in their running careers, thus first earning a Blue Number followed by a Light Blue Number. In 2026, there will be 14 Blues( including 4 women) aiming to add a Light Blue to their collection, but also 2 Light Blues tackling their 10th Ultra!

2 RUNNING THEIR 10TH ULTRA

Jaco Swart 12 Halves, Light Blue Nr 220 Johan van Wyk 10 Halves, Light Blue Nr 1014

20 Totalsports If this Two page Oceans of BNC Marathon Stats rocks 2026 your boat – pun intended – you should also check out The Ship’ s Log page at the back of this magazine.