HAVE YOUR SAY
New Digi!
THANKS FOR THE
In December we published the first edition of Blue Tide, our new BNC digimag, sparking both messages of congrats and BNCrelated questions from our Blue Number Club members. These are some of the messages we received via mail or on social media.
STILL MY FAVOURITE RACE Thank you so much for this digimag, Blue Tide. I am very honoured to have been able to be part of the Blue Number Club. Two Oceans was one of my most special and favourite races. So many memories, so many exhilarating views, so many friendly faces, so much pain, but so much joy at the same time. I had to bail my 12th due to injuries, but eventually came back to run the 21K. The Two Oceans Marathon is the best marathon in South Africa. Well done all Two Ocean achievers. Great respect! – Jean Dearman, Blue Number 2113
Ed’ s Note: Thanks for the note,
Jean. Awesome to see that you’ re still keeping up with TOM news in spite of last running the event in 2008.
CAN I ALSO RUN FOR FREE? I’ ve been reading in your digimag about privileges for Blue Number runners, one of which is free entry if you have completed 25 or more. I have done 15 Ultras and 14 Halves, does that qualify for a complimentary entry? – Brian Alcock, Blue Number 2241, Light Blue Number 1453
Ed’ s Note: The free entry for 25 medals rule stipulates that a runner must have 25 medals for the specific event being entered, be it the Ultra or Half.
RECOMMENDED FEATURE Congratulations on the launch of the Blue Tide digimag – what a wonderful initiative to celebrate those who have made the race what it is today. FYI, I don’ t recall any mention of Norrie Williamson, who achieved his Two Oceans Trail Blue Number in 2025, and in the process became the first athlete to be awarded a Treble Blue at Two Oceans( Ultra, Half and Trail). Perhaps this could be a topic for your next issue of the digimag? I have Blue Numbers in the Two Oceans Ultra and the Half Marathon, and I’ ve completed eight Trail runs, so I hope to reach 10 and my own Treble in the next two years. – Afzal Dhansay, Blue Number 3729, Light Blue Number 838
Ed’ s Note: We are very much aware of Norrie’ s unique achievement, and that’ s why we included him in the latest edition of the main TOM digimag, Oceans Current – you can read his response by clicking the article image alongside. And if you continue paging through this edition of Blue Tide, you’ ll find a Q & A with him!
LOOKING FOR A NEW NUMBER I wondered if it is possible to get a replacement copy of the small Ultra blue number. I still have the A4 sized one, but have lost the smaller badge, which is suitable for attachment to a running vest. Many thanks. – David Merand, Blue Number 3639
Ed’ s Note: There would be extra( unbudgeted) costs involved in reproducing specific numbers on request, so we’ ve passed your request on to the relevant people to investigate further.
LONG-AWAITED BLUE! It will be very special for me to receive my BNC status on my birthday, the 11th of April 2026. I’ m really looking forward to a great race, and who would think 40 years ago( 1987) that I would do my 10th race on my birthday? – Jan Carel Coetzee
Ed’ s Note: Jan has quite a remarkable Two Oceans Journey! He ran his first Ultra in 1987, added more medals in 1992 and 2003( plus a Half Marathon in 2006), then returned in 2016 for number four, followed by more medals in 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025. That brings his Ultra tally to nine, and sees him going for his Blue Number in 2026, a full 39 years after his first Ultra!
QUERY ABOUT THE DINNER DATE Thanks for the mag. Very informative. Just a pity the Blue Number Club Dinner is scheduled for the Wednesday, as we are only arriving in Cape Town on the Thursday. Have you considered the foot traffic for the expo in determining when you have the most visitors, as I feel that on Wednesday, only those living in Cape Town, or international runners, are at the Expo, thus only those Blue Number runners will be able to attend the dinner. – Brenton Schnetler, Blue Number 3205
Ed’ s Note: You have raised a good point that the organising team will take into account going forward, but it may not be possible to change the plans for 2026.
PROFESSIONAL EFFORT Thanks for all of your efforts in producing the Two Oceans Marathon digimag – I was sent a copy, and it looks really professional. Best wishes as you prepare for the 2026 event! – Harold Berman, former Two Oceans NPC Board Member and retired Two Oceans commentator
Ed’ s Note: Honoured to have featured you in the first mag, Harold, and once again, thank you for more than 50 years of service to the event!
Images: Action Photo SA
10 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon 2026 The Two Oceans team truly appreciates all feedback you send in, as we continue working to bring back that special Two Oceans spirit. All BNCrelated feedback can be sent to BNC @ twooceansmarathon. org. za.