TALKING TTOM
Eden Tobias
Light Blue Number 2228( 10 medals)
Eden ran her first Half Marathon in 2014 and earned her Light Blue Number in 2025 – it probably would have been in 2023 if not for the two missed years due to COVID. Now, aged 29, she will be the youngest female Light Blue Number( and second-youngest overall) to line up in the 2026 Half, where she will run with her Blue Number for the first time.
1.
Are you aware that you are the youngest female Light Blue on the entrant list for the 2026 TOM Half? I started when I was very young and always knew that I would be quite young when I eventually did get my Light Blue Number, but it’ s quite special that I am the youngest BNC female for 2026. I will always be proud of my number, because it was a goal that I set for myself when I was 17.
2.
What do you remember about the day you earned your Light
Blue Number? The biggest goal for me that day was just to enjoy the race. Even in the difficult parts, I said to myself just enjoy it, and I really did. I stopped for supporters along the way, I danced to some music, and I really took it all in. It was just an enjoyable experience overall, and that’ s all I really wanted it to be.
3.
Does your Light Blue Number motivate you to come back and do it all again? I always said that once I got my Light Blue Number, I would run in it once, essentially meaning I would run 11 times, but I also have goals in the race that I haven’ t achieved yet, so that number just pushes me a little bit further to get the entry for the next year and try to go for those goals again.
4.
Thoughts on the Blue Number Club?
I think the Blue Number Club, and being recognised by a race that has such great history, is a great honour, but for me, it’ s also a very special personal achievement. I do have performance goals, but this was one of those goals where it didn’ t matter how fast or slow I ran, I just needed to show up each year and get closer to the goal I had set myself.
Dylan Fourie
Light Blue Number 2217( 10 medals)
Dylan earned his Light Blue Number in the Half in 2025, with a personal best 1:33:38. He had run nine consecutively from 2011 to 2019, but had to wait till 2025 to get his Light Blue Number, and now returns for his first stab at the Ultra, where he will be the youngest owner of a Blue Number, from either race, to be in action in the Ultra.
1.
Are you aware that you are the youngest BNC Member on the entrant list for the 2026 Ultra? I was completely unaware of this. That’ s amazing. I’ m really honoured, and it’ s really special.
2.
What do you remember about the day you earned your Light
Blue Number? The biggest thing that I remember about that day was the incredible vibe on the day. I ran nine half marathons between the ages of 16 and 25, and then I had a five-year break. There was COVID, and I didn’ t run for five years, so coming back after five years and experiencing the energy of Two Oceans was something special. That got me hooked again, and I’ m definitely going to be running for the next few years to come.
3.
Does your Light Blue Number motivate you to come back and do it all again? For sure, definitely motivates me. And I think having completed 10 half marathons, my blue number definitely has motivated me to sign up for the ultra and get that done.
4.
Thoughts on the Blue Number Club?
For me, the biggest thing about the Blue Number is that I get preferential access to this race going forward. This is such a special race to be part of, so I feel incredibly blessed to have that opportunity.
Marizanne Bothma
( Nine medals in the Half)
At 28 years and 100 days on race day next April, Marizanne will be the youngest runner going for her Light Blue Number in the 2026 Half Marathon. Marizanne ran her first TTOM Half in 2014, and posted her best time of 1:58:40 in 2015. She missed the 2025 race, but returns in 2026 to go for her 10th and her permanent number.
1.
Are you aware that you will be the youngest runner in the 2026 Half going for a Light Blue permanent number? It honestly feels surreal to know I’ ll be the youngest runner going for a Light Blue Number. My mom has always been my biggest inspiration, and running this race with her since I was 16 has shaped so much of my journey. Being able to chase a Blue Number at my age feels like an incredible privilege – it really reflects what consistency and passion over the years can achieve.
2.
What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming race? Reaching the top of Southern Cross Drive! As a newly qualified medical doctor, running has always been my escape and my reset, and after nine years of studying and completing my internship and community service, this race feels like the perfect way to step into a new chapter of my life.
3.
Will earning your Light Blue Number motivate you to come back and do it all again? Absolutely. The Two Oceans is one of the most iconic and breathtaking races in the world, and it’ s the kind of race that keeps drawing you back year after year.
4.
Thoughts on the Blue Number Club?
Every finish line tells its own story – 10 races, 10 lessons. The Blue Number Club brings together runners from different backgrounds, with different motivations and journeys, yet all united by unwavering consistency. It’ s a community built on heart and dedication, and it will be such a privilege to join them!
Look out for more mini-interviews with BNC members in coming editions of this mag!
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