UPDATES
YOU HEARD IT HERE
As Blue Number Club Members, we know that you take a keen interest in all the breaking news and unfolding developments behind the scenes at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, and it’ s a privilege to share the latest updates with you.
ENHANCING RACE DAY HYDRATION By Renée Jordaan, Operations Director
Getting back to the essence of the world’ s most beautiful marathon
As our cherished Blue Number Club runners, you have truly witnessed it all on race day. From blazing hot days to downpours, from the roar of the crowds to the quiet stretches of road. Some of you may even remember crossing the finish at Villagers, back when just a few thousand runners lined up to take on the journey. You know better than anyone that the magic of race day lies not only in the challenge, but in the shared experience.
While you have been focused on your training, we have been working behind the scenes to ensure that your 2026 race day is smoother, safer, and more enjoyable than ever before. One of the most significant logistical upgrades we are proud to announce is the expansion and repositioning of our Hydration Stations. Over the past few months, in partnership with Peninsula Beverages, we have carefully reviewed their placement, added new stations, and adjusted existing ones to be more evenly spaced – now closer to every 3km apart. We understand how essential race day nutrition and hydration are, and how much relief these stations provide, especially on a hot Cape Town day.
Of course, positioning stations is far more complex than simply plotting them every 3km. Our 56km and 21km routes vary in road width, moving from dense business hubs to suburbs, ocean views, and environmentally sensitive areas. Not every stretch of road can safely accommodate a full logistical setup with trucks and infrastructure. The outcome is a carefully designed plan, with additional stations that balance them more effectively.
Overall, we have increased the number of stations from 16 to 19 on the Ultra, and from 6 to 7 on the Half Marathon. Where space allows, particularly in the first part of the Ultra, runners will now be served from both sides of the road. Runners will also be glad to know that there are now two stations on the climb toward Constantia Nek, providing welcome relief on one of the toughest parts of the race. The iconic spots, such as the top of Chapman’ s Peak and the Kirstenbosch gate, remain in place, preserving the traditions you love.
These changes are designed to keep you refreshed, supported, and immersed in the vibe that carries us all through. We are also reviewing the placement of physio and medical points, with more updates to follow next month. The Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon has always been about more than just the run, it’ s about the journey, the camaraderie, and the shared spirit of endurance. We are committed to making sure that every step you take in 2026 feels like the best yet.
The organising team has done a thorough relook of the hydration stations
REFRESHED IDENTITY FOR A NEW ERA By Agné du Plessis, Commercial Specialist
One of the most exciting developments has been the evolution of our brand and campaign identity. With the combined insight of the event team and industry experts, we’ ve been crafting a refreshed look and feel that reflects the stature of a world-leading marathon, and our new campaign pillars— The Voyage, The Sacrifice, and The Beauty— honour everything that makes this race so special: Its heritage, its resilience, its breath-taking terrain, and the remarkable community that surrounds it.
The goal is to stand confidently among the great marathons of the world, while staying true to our unique spirit, and as part of this, we are returning to a clear, confident message: The Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon is, and remains, The World’ s Most Beautiful Marathon.
This positioning is more than a slogan, it’ s a celebration of what our runners already know to be true. From the winding coastline and majestic mountain passes to the deeply human moments shared along the way,“ beauty” is the heart of our narrative. In the months ahead, you will see stronger, more unified storytelling that reflects the natural splendour, emotional resonance, and legacy that make this race unlike any other.
Growing Appeal & Commercial Momentum
We’ ve also been hard at work behind the scenes strengthening the commercial foundation of the event. The focus has been on partnering with brands that not only elevate the race, but genuinely add value to our runners’ experience. A wonderful example of this is the signing of Versus Socks as the Official Performance Sock Sponsor of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon.
For the first time, every runner will receive a premium pair of Versus performance socks( valued at R199) in their goody bag – a small but meaningful upgrade that sets the tone for what lies ahead. And this is just the beginning... Several exciting announcements are on the horizon, and we can’ t wait to share them with you as they unfold.
Your support, positivity, and pride in this event continue to inspire the work we’ re doing. Together, we are shaping the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon into one of the world’ s“ must-do” races – not just for its beauty, but for the experience and community that runners remember long after crossing the finish line. So, thank you for walking this journey with us, and here’ s to the next chapter of the world’ s most beautiful marathon.
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