INSPIRATION
If not for COVID and the cancellation of the 2020 event, Lawrence would likely have reached the milestone of 30 TTOM finishes that year. He tried again in 2024 and narrowly missed the final cut-off, but is back in 2026 feeling fitter, stronger and more determined, thanks to being able to put in more training, so this could be a very special race day for the oldest BNC entrant in the 2026 Ultra.
1.
How does it feel to be one of the oldest BNCs in the 2026 event? In the 1980s and‘ 90s, it was wonderful, but I’ m getting old, so it’ s becoming harder. Since the lockdown, it’ s been a battle to reach my 30th and my triple laurel, but this year, I feel I will achieve it.
2.
What’ s your main goal for race day, and what are you looking forward to most in the 2026 race? Getting my 30th medal and my triple laurel Blue Number is the goal this year, and I would just like to get over Constantia Nek feeling good, then I will know I’ m on my way to my 30th. I missed it by just over three minutes in 2024, but I’ m running far better now than I am retired and can do more training.
3.
Do you approach the TTOM any differently now than when you started running the event? Well, I recently retired at the end of December, after working an extra 14 years, which obviously put a damper on my training goals through the years. Now I’ ve got time to myself, where I can train more properly.
4.
Larence Ashworth
Age: 79 29 Ultra Marathon medals – Blue Number 1375 2026 TTOM: Ultra Marathon
What does a typical training week look like for you? I can now put in more mileage, and I can run when I want during the day, I don’ t have the stress of having to get my run in early with the pressure of having to go to work. That is behind me now, which is great, and I’ ve been able to increase my training to approximately 90 to 100 kilometres a week.
5.
Do you have any race-day rituals that you always stick to? No, I just treat every day as a normal day. I get up early to have a fruit breakfast, so that it digests easily, and then I can start the race on a wonderful note.
6.
What is your standout memory of your Two Oceans career? Oh, I’ ve got lots. In the early‘ 80s, I remember starting the run at Villagers Sports Ground, back when we only had approximately 1200 runners doing the ultra. I miss not having the Piper at Lakeside, and at the blockhouse going down Chapman’ s Peak, and the smell of the freshly baked bread at the old bakery as you enter Muizenburg. I’ ve also experienced all the different Ultra Marathon routes, and all the weather extremes. In one of the cold runs we had with torrential rain, we got soaking wet, and I remember the chill factor as we hit the cold wind in Muizenburg. I lost quite a lot of body heat that day, and simply could not get warm throughout the whole of that race.
7.
What are your thoughts on the Blue Number Club?
I used to enjoy the dinners that the Blue Number Club had annually before the race. Those seemed to have gone by the way, so I’ m really glad to hear the dinner is back this year. I know there are so many more runners now having joined the Blue number Club, and it must be astronomical to prepare for so many members in the Blue Number Club tent at the finish now, but fortunately, our club brings the club tent and prepares a few snacks and drinks, so that makes up for what we may lose on the Blue Number Club.
8.
What’ s your secret to staying strong and injury-free as you get older? I can’ t put a finger on it, and think I’ ve just been fortunate. I did suffer from inflammation on my Achilles and then snapped the Achilles completely in 2003, but it seems the surgeon put a bionic implant into my Achilles, because since then, I’ ve been blessed to suffer no serious injuries.
1.
Having earned her 19th medal in the 2024 Ultra but then missing the 2025 race, Mokgoale goes into the 2026 race with her sites set firmly on her 20th medal, and Double Blue Number status. A firm believer that the TTOM is indeed the most beautiful race in the world, she cannot wait to line up once again in the Ultra.
How does it feel to be one of the oldest BNCs in the 2026 event? Exciting, highly blessed, highly favoured, just over the moon with joy. And I can’ t wait to be double Blue Number after this year’ s race!
2.
Makgoale Magwentshu
Age: 71 19 Ultra Marathon medals – Blue Number 4440 2026 TTOM: Ultra Marathon
What’ s your main goal for race day, and what are you looking forward to most in the 2026 race? I’ m looking forward to once again enjoying every second of the most beautiful race in South Africa. I did not run last year because of some logistical challenges, so this year is going to be my 20th, and the excitement is just the out of this world. And because of my age, I guess I motivate some of the people that I meet on the road, who clearly agree with me that age is just a number.
3.
Do you approach the TTOM any differently now than when you started running the event? Yes, because the older I get, the more aware I am of the need for balanced preparation for this race, and that completing 56 kilometres in seven hours requires more than just running in training. Now I also appreciate the value of rest, and getting enough sleep, so as to recover from the training. I have also included strength training to make sure that my whole body is ready, and that I am physically, mentally and spiritually up to scratch. I also mind my nutrition, hydration and supplements, and also go for a massage at least three or four times a month, depending on my finances.
4.
What does a typical training week look like for you? A typical week could be between 70 and 100 kilometres, depending on where I am, but as I said earlier, I am not just focused on the running these days.
5.
Do you have any race-day rituals that you always stick to?
Before COVID, I used to do regular 10-minute ice baths, but after the
Images: Action Photo SA, Two Oceans Marathon
24 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon 2026