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INSPIRATION
TTOM TRAILBLAZERS
Dominic Wills will be aiming for lucky number 13 when he lines up for the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Long Trail Run, while Shirley Whitmore has her sights set on an important milestone in the Short Trail Run as she hopes to secure her permanent number.
Just as Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon and Half Marathon runners are awarded permanent Blue Numbers after completing the event 10 times, so too are runners in the accompanying Trail Runs rewarded for a decade of consistency and commitment. The only noticeable difference is that the permanent numbers in the Trail Runs are khaki instead of blue, but the prestige and pride of the numbers is exactly the same as the road running version.
The proud owner of Khaki Number 3 is Dominic Wills, who has run every edition of the Two Oceans Trail Run since its inception in 2010. A talented trail runner with many podium finishes
Dominic Wills is the only athlete to have participated in every edition of the Totalsports Two Oceans Trail Runs in his career, Wills placed second in his age category and finished 10th and sixth overall in the men’ s race in his last two outings at Two Oceans.“ I think the toughest moment I had in the Two Oceans Trail Run was being second one year and closing on first, but then taking a wrong turn. It was an amateur error, because navigation is part of trail running,” says Wills.
He has also run the TTOM Half Marathon six times and the Ultra three times, and some years he even ran both the Trail Run and the Ultra in the same year, which means on consecutive days! When asked about one of his most memorable moments, Wills laughs:“ The first year was interesting because the route wasn’ t formally published and most people thought we’ d be running along jeep tracks in Newlands Forest. Race organiser Trevor Ball had other ideas and sent the field up Mowbray Ridge and the Knife Edge. For those who thought trail running was running around golf courses in Houghton, this was a shock. I saw grown men crying while eating jelly babies on a rock!”
“ Thankfully, the Trail Run has changed very little over the years, and it’ s always been an‘ experience the best of Devil’ s Peak’ event. Those trails are highly underrated, and not used for any other trail runs during the year,” adds Wills.“ My message to first-time entrants would be that every great trail run requires a bit of walking and taking in the views – and the Two Oceans Trail Run is no different.”
Ready to Race Again
In terms of the 2026 race, Wills says that he will once again be out to race as hard as he can, but will still take time to enjoy the experience.“ I always have the race button pressed, but I must admit that I’ m looking forward to having a beer at the finish line.” He adds that his 2026 plans include being a supporter when the Ultra Marathon takes place the day after his trail outing.“ I love that the trail run is part of the Two Oceans weekend. There’ s a smaller vibe, and you get it done first, so that you can focus on supporting your family and friends on the road for the rest of the weekend. My sister, Caroline, is running her 20th Two Oceans Ultra this year, so I’ ll be there to support her.”
Images: Two Oceans Marathon, Action Photo SA
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