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INSPIRATION
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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 achieving 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 a double Blue Number after this year’ s race!
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Makgoale Magwentshu
Age: 71 19 Ultra Marathon medals – Blue Number 4440
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 logistical challenges, so this year is going to be my 20th, and the excitement is just the out of this world.
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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 become that completing 56 kilometres in seven hours requires more than just running in training. Now I also appreciate the value of getting enough sleep, and I also include strength training to make sure that my whole body is ready. I also mind my nutrition, hydration and supplements, and also go for a massage at least three or four times a month.
4.
What is your standout memory of your Two Oceans career?
One year while descending Chappies, I tripped and fell on my knees, and immediately thought my race was over, but within seconds, I was lifted like a piece of paper by two strong guys who looked like rugby players. They checked that I am not injured and can still finish the race, and then we all continued. I finished that race, and once again appreciated the camaraderie that prevails during Two Oceans.
5.
What are your thoughts on Blue Number Club?
It means the world to me to be part of the Blue Number Club, and I wear my number with pride. The special treatment we receive is the real bonus, because when I still had to stand in long queues to fetch my running number and bag, I was dying to be a member of the Blue Number Club. Now I can walk straight in, and I also appreciate that we can enter early. It shows that we are appreciated and valued, and it also motivates more runners to become Blue Number members.
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Nancy ran her first Ultra in 1992 and earned Blue Number 1995 in 2001, making it a Double Blue in 2022. Her claim to fame is that she set a new 60-69 age-category IAU World Best of 4:12:54 for 50km in the 2015 Ultra, and in both 2023 and 2024, she set new 70-79 age group race records of 5:41:41 and 5:29:53.
How does it feel to be one of the oldest BNCs in the 2026 event? I think you can say I have a love-hate relationship with Two Oceans, because I either have a good one or it humbles me. The plan is to run the Ultra again this year, because I really love the distance, and I’ m hoping to get to 25, to get that free entry!
2.
Nancy Will
Age: 73 23 Ultra Marathon medals – Blue Number 1995 6 Half Marathon medals
What’ s your main goal for race day, and what are you looking forward to most in the 2026 race? To have a strong run. I tend to go out too fast, and then it’ s a case of‘ vasbyt’ from the marathon mark and just trying to get up Constantia Nek in good shape. Last year I managed to run the whole way up, but this year, I don’ t know, so the goal is just to be strong and comfortable, and not have to battle. You just have to hope your body can survive the distance and those climbs.
The support along the route is amazing, and last year I had a great support crew to keep me refuelled along the way. I think that made a big difference from the previous year, because the cups and I just don’ t agree. I’ m also looking forward to the finish. My son, Damian, always meets me along the way near to UCT, and last year, when I wasn’ t sure if I could break five hours, he was there to tell me of course you’ re going to do it, so go, mum, go, and I managed to do it.
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What is your standout memory of your Two Oceans career? My very first one in 1992 was the really wet one, and I was so enthralled by the support that we still had on the side of the road. That support dropped off a bit when the Half Marathon started in 1998, so I’ m actually excited that the Ultra and Half are now split over two days, as you get the support on the route again.
Of course, that 50km record in 2015 is a highlight as well. I’ d stopped running in 2010 and then come back in 2014, so I wasn’ t expecting anything. In 2015, we ran the alternate route over Ou Kaapseweg and Southern Cross Drive, and I actually walked up Southern Cross. It was still a wonderful run on the day, but I wasn’ t aware of any records until after I’ d finished, when I found out about the 50km record, and that I had just missed the grandmaster age category race record by a few seconds.
4.
What’ s your secret to staying strong and injury-free as you get older? I think it’ s just luck and the good genes I inherited. I don’ t get injured too often, just little niggles, and I’ ve only had one stress fracture in my whole running career, so that’ s not too bad.
“ Most importantly, I still love running today, and the Two Oceans really is the most beautiful race in the world.”
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