The Two Oceans Board can just not stop lying. They’ve been caught out again…
Nine days after the last half marathon runner crossed the finish line, an email has finally gone out to impacted athletes. It is estimated that about 2500 runners did not get a medal after finishing. However, the email said that the shortage was due to “a significantly higher number of runners than anticipated finished in the bronze medal category due to the hot weather on Sunday 6 April, leading to a shortage of bronze medals and a surplus of silver medals.”
This is a bald-faced lie.
I have just run the numbers and the percentage of silver medallists at the Two Oceans half marathon has been the same for the last three years: 1.3%.
In fact because they took more entries than their permit allowed, there were 50 more silver medallists this year than in 2024 and 66 more than in 2023.
Heat played no role in the number of silver medallists. That is another big lie. The silver medal cutoff was at 7:45am and I’ve confirmed that the weather was 18°C in Rondebosch (where the finish line at the University of Cape Town is located) at that time – ideal running conditions.
The temperature at the final cutoff at 10:30am was 23°C and the day’s high was 29°C. Despite the mild morning conditions, there were reports of runners being treated for heatstroke after the race. The humidity and the largest ever half marathon field would have played a role – as would insufficient water tables in the first 10km, tables running out of cups and an inability for tables to service the volume of runners.
The City of Cape Town has confirmed that they exceeded their permit limits and are in big trouble for contravening health and safety. This fact is in the public domain. It is irrefutable that they sold almost 4000 more half marathon entries than they were allowed to. And yet the lies continue…
They added the cutoff times to the digimag after the race in 2024. They published an illogical and fib-filled 3am social media post about wave time and route changes before the half marathon this year. The Chairperson lied about her running and professional achievements. And now this.
These are such obvious and blatant lies. Why do they keep on lying? Do they think we’re stupid? Are they pathological? This is what happens when you are led by a liar.
Heads must roll.
READ MORE: How Cavanagh ‘Karened’ her way to the top of Two Oceans
Follow Running Mann:
Who cares really, shouldn’t even call it Two Oceans, it’s only one, half marathon isn’t even one ocean, so, there, starts with a lie, get over it and move on!
Good evening. Is it possible that only a fraction of the board is lying? Or atleast the chair person only with a few others?
I’m sure there are good people on the board, but could be outnumbered when it comes to voting or other agendas.
Hopefully the writer can get a thorough conclusion?
Regards.
Hi Malcolm, I would hope that there are some ethical members on the Board (and I know of a couple). I am continuing to investigate and put pressure for accountability and a return to integrity at Two Oceans.
My first Two Oceans Half marathon,I enjoyed it I had my own water tank at the back so I experienced no issues.I finished at 2:35 and got my medal, I enjoyed the race.I also did 56km in 2018 and had no issues.Unfortunatelt I won’t do it in 2026, I want to try Sanlam marathon in May.
Dietrich, you have totally missed the point. Read the article carefully and also read the article on News24.
It is a very strange reason to put forward, as if thousands of more people would have gotten silver had they been running just a tad faster.
Blatant lies just to cover and create an excuse.
I am sure nothing will come from it.
I can only hope the rest of the board can make a plan to get the rot out.
I had a great experience with my 10th ultra two oceons👌. The road were smooth, not a single potholes. Street lights were on, we didn’t run in the dark like other years. Waterpoints were great, it’s just that it’s difficult deal with those paper cups. The finishing area was great, not crowded at all.
My only disappointment was a goody bag. It was a disgrace 😔
If you are on the committee in any role why even start if you have no intention or capacity to add to an event of worldwide repute except for your own selfish ends? Now the Sport, the City & the Country are at risk of losing this great one off Event. Name them / Blame them / Fire them / Charge them -5 then wait 5 years for the Honourable Members of this team to regroup & check the appetite for restaging the event. (& while your about it use the same methodology to check over So Many of SA’s erstwhile services & events, etc).
A disgrace for the organisers to have taken in all those entries, all that money and then runners don’t receive medals and goodie bags! Those board members should be ashamed and resign from their positions. For years things have been going wrong with this race. Why don’t they admit their faults and allow better more capable people to run it! Stop bringing disgrace to this race!
The TOM should go back to the old days. Allow only the maximum to enter the rest can try to get a substitution. The 60 year old should me on front, after the elites. The regular runners next, those who have good PB ‘s. The first time runners right at the back. They must earn and run for their spots. They can run at their own pace, support each other not hamper other runners or block their paths. The TOM was filled with hype and excitement but there were too many runners and the supporters were blocked at nearly every corner or road. Very disappointing as supporters are important. I am a runner and a supporter.