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INSPIRATION
Glenn Muller on his way to an 18 th Ultra medal in 2025
Wietse van der Westhuizen ran with daughter Louise as she earned her Blue Number in 2025
receiving my Blue Number in 2009 from the late Celtic Harriers legend, Alex Jones. I look forward to completing my 19th Ultra and having a couple of cold ones alongside fellow Board member Stuart Mann after the race. Interestingly, we ran together for a few kilometres through Hout Bay during the 2025 event, where we agreed on the need to become more actively involved in helping restore the race to its former glory.”
Cherished Memories
Similarly looking forward to celebrating with a few cold ones at the finish, Stuart Mann will be aiming for his 21st Ultra Marathon finish in 2026. Known affectionately in the South African running community as The Running Mann blogger, he also says that running the event plays a leading role in his work as a Board member.“ Making runner-centric decisions and ensuring the best experience for the average runner is absolutely central to my approach on the Board,” says Mann.
“ What makes this race such a special event for runners – both locally and from abroad – could fill a blog in itself, but in short, the Two Oceans is the perfect and relatively easy step up for a first Ultra. The route has everything a great race needs, including two massive hills – Chapmans Peak with all her beauty, and Constantia Nek with all her brawn. City
marathons tend to be flat and, quite frankly, boring, but Two Oceans has curves in all the right places. I’ d highly recommend that international runners plan a holiday to the Cape timed around the Two Oceans Marathon.”
Mann’ s fondest Two Oceans memory involves his father:“ I fondly remember running my first Two Oceans with my dad in 2002, and then him handing over his permanent Blue Number 704 to me after my tenth run in 2011. These are memories that I will treasure forever. Another fond memory is when I met Glenn Muller in person for the first time, at Hout Bay during last year’ s event. We’ d only interacted electronically before that. We had a great chat before the‘ desert’ up Constantia Nek split us up. My goal this year? To finish ahead of Glenn,” he says with a chuckle.
A Father’ s Pride
As one of the most decorated runners on the Board, Wietse van der Westhuizen will line up for his 36th Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in 2026.“ Two Oceans will always be one of my favourite races, as it was my first ever ultra marathon,” he says.“ In 1978, as a young student athlete, I was invited and entered by a friend, Dr Hennie Nortje, to come and run a race in Cape Town. That race happened to be the Two Oceans.”
“ This year I can’ t wait to get to the start. Lining up with old buddies and my daughter Louise in the Blue Number batch is something that gives you goosebumps. I have many precious memories, but my most treasured is running with my two daughters. This must be every dad’ s dream – to conquer the Two Oceans Marathon with his loved ones.”
Credit Where it’ s Due
Having completed the Ultra 12 times himself, as well as the Half Marathon 20 times, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, Chris Goldschmidt, says that he is proud to be serving alongside such stalwarts of the event, both on and off the road:“ It’ s incredibly inspiring to see our Board members not just guiding the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon behind the scenes, but also challenging themselves at the Ultra Marathon. Their commitment shows true leadership and a deep connection to the runners and the event itself.”
Stuart Mann has crested Chappies 20 times in his running career
Echoing Goldschmidt’ s thoughts on their inspiring commitment, Race General Manager Wade Bromfield adds perspective from the race management side, highlighting how the Board members’ participation brings the event to life for runners and the wider community.“ Having Sandiswa, Caroline, Glenn, Stuart and Wietse out on the course alongside thousands of participants really highlights their dedication to the race and the running community. It’ s a wonderful example of leading by doing, and it’ s sure to motivate both elite and recreational runners alike.”
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