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INTRODUCTION
As you make your final preparations for the 2026 edition of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD, let’ s take a look-back at how this incredible event originated, and celebrate the voyage that you will be undertaking. – BY SEAN FALCONER
As word of this incredibly scenic yet challenging ultra-distance race in Cape Town spread, so the entries rapidly increased, with runners coming from all over the country to take on the Two Oceans‘ voyage,’ and even some international visitors. That 1972 race attracted 115 entries, and numbers were close to 500 by 1977, then exceeded 1000 in 1979. The race shot past 2000 entries in 1982, was close to 4000 by 1984, and in 1986 attracted over 5000 runners. By 1991 entries had passed the 9000-mark, and in subsequent years, the race has consistently sold out, first with a limit of 11,000, and in more recent years 13,000 or 14,000.
As the popularity of the Ultra Marathon increased, so the number of family and friends accompanying the runners to Cape Town climbed. That led to many calls for a shorter race to be added to the event, so that these supporters could also experience the Two Oceans magic. When the race moved to a bigger finish venue at UCT in 1998, it became possible to add a half marathon to the programme, with the trail runs and various fun runs also being added in subsequent years. Since then, the Half Marathon has grown into one of the biggest 21.1km races in the country, with many entrants being unlicenced runners, showing that the event brings many new people into the sport.
Welcome to the 2026 Race!
So here we are, about to start the 2026 edition of the iconic Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD, with sold-out fields of 14,000 in the Ultra and 17,000 in the Half. With a new organising team at the helm, new sponsors on board, and a focus on both tradition and excellence, this is set to be the best edition of the race yet. They call it the world’ s most beautiful marathon for good reason, and you can look forward to an unforgettable day’ s running!
Now, tuck into this Official Race Info Digimag, containing all the essential info and inspirational stories to inform, energise and motivate, and get yourself ready for your voyage. The main Race Info section starts on page 30, and you’ ll also find maps of the Expo, Start, parking, routes and Finish in the pages that follow. morning in Newlands, and the first winner of the race was Dirkie Steyn, who crossed the line in 3:55:50. Out of that small start was to grow one of the biggest running events on the South African calendar, the world’ s most beautiful marathon.
The Two Oceans Marathon
In 1972, The Argus newspaper agreed to sponsor the race, with the proviso that it had a definite Cape flavour. This led to a meeting of Celtic Harriers members at the Grand Hotel in Strand Street, to discuss a new name for the event. Among the suggestions tabled was Harold Berman’ s‘ Inter Oceans Marathon,’ while Venter proposed‘ Oceans to Oceans,’ but it was eventually Noel Stamper who came up with the winning name, the‘ Two Oceans Marathon.’
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