I remember my first Two Oceans back in 2002. It was special. It was fantastic. It was brilliantly organised. Sadly a first Two Oceans is no longer what is used to be. Here is Tsholo’s experience of his first Two Oceans.
Good day Stuart,
My name is Tsholo.
I started running in 2014, and since then, I’ve completed Comrades five times and do about 3 – 4 Ultras per year. This year, I took on the Two Oceans Ultra — a race I had long admired — but I left feeling bitterly disappointed by the experience, especially the handling of water stations and half marathon short medals.
I had heard stories of issues in previous years, but I chose to believe that this year would be different. The organisers’ pre-race communications gave me hope that lessons had been learned. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. Being out on the course, struggling without water when you need it most, felt like a betrayal — not just of trust, but of the basic duty of care that should be at the heart of every race.
It seems that the race organisers simply don’t care because despite the chorus of complaints, they know that when entries open, thousands of runners will rush to sign up. And when selections are made, those left out will be pleading for substitution spots. It’s a painful cycle, and the worst part is that it’s allowed to continue.
Runners are some of the kindest, most forgiving people I’ve ever met. They will keep going back regardless of how the Two Oceans race organisers treat them.
I know I am in the minority in this action, but I refuse to return to the Two Oceans Ultra unless there are genuine, visible changes from the board. We deserve better. All runners do.
Kind regards.
Tsholo Makwe
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Hi, My first bad experience at Two Oceans Ultra was in 2018 (water cups instead of sachets, lack of water, no volunteers at the table – you must help yourself red, cards for not throwing litter in the bins, etc, etc). Then is 2023, I thought things would change so I entered again. This time, in addition to the previous problems, I had to wait 5 hours to register. Standing for 5 straight hours the day before my Ultra marathon.
After the race I was left disappointed and decided not to enter again until things improve. My dilemma is that I am on 9 Ultra finishes. I am not sure if I will run my 10th and get my permanent number.
For info, I have run 23 Comrades and have never had any issues with the race (registration of race day)
My second Two Oceans was in 2019 and this was the one where they had a route change due to the unrest in Hout bay ands the route now followed Ou Kaap Se Weg. The worst route ever, but understandable for safety sakes. There, on this route, was also a severe lack of water for the mid to later batches. I cant imagine how dire it must’ve been for the tail enders. Fortunately I am a “carry your own runner” so for a time I was okay but I saw at one point (once we got to the top of Ou Kaap Se Weg, there was a bakkie driving to deliver more water sachets and runners were actually literally sprinting after this bakkie and hanging on for dear life, just to grab one or two sachets and throw them at fellow runners. I have never in my life seen such a sight. Ever!! It appears the water situation will never change and they will continue to take your money and deliver less. This years water tables were noticeably further apart in the beginning kms of the race, compared to previous years (luckily again, I carry my own) and then scattered oddly in the middle stages. Some super close to each other and then spread apart again. I dont know who organises this but they are certainly doing a shoddy job. God bless the supporters. They are the real heros in this atrocious story, that seems to be on an endless repeat button!
Hi there. I am a 52 year old male, making a desperate return to ultra running after a break of more than 10 years. I have taken in a Running Coach, costing me… My main aim is to complete my “Bucket List”and this means qualying and then actually finishing the TOM Ultra 56km race in 2026. Now…, reading the constant negative feedback and watching the news over the past month or so, truly gets me worried and makes we wonder is this all worth while… Cone on guys … Where is the pride and heritage of the Two Oceans Marathon of the past? Let’s focus on the issues at hand and get this right. Surely someone needs to take accountability and someone needs to step up to the plate and assure a return of the best of what TOM can offer. I thank you.
Tsolo, you rightly say: I know I am in the minority in this action, but I refuse to return to the Two Oceans Ultra unless there are genuine, visible changes from the board.
I don’t think that you are in the minority- others won’t speak out, but you are 100% correct.
For me personally (15 ultras, 1 half) I will not return until there are changes of BOARD MEMBERS. These clowns must go!
My previous 2 Oceans was 2005. Have complete 7 which includes 2025. Having run 30 Comrades and many Ultras and Marathons. This I can sadly say is the worst organized race I have run. Shame on you organizers absolutely disgracefull. Pack your bags and hand over to competent organizers. You have destroyed a beautifull race and do not deserve to be part of it.
Many of the comments above demonstrate a childish, self-entitled attitude. As in “it is somebody else’s problem that I don’t have enough water in a long race that I chose to enter.” What’s wrong with you? If you need water, carry your own! Why do you expect other people to give you water? Take some responsibility for yourself. There’s even one guy above moaning because runners were being fined for throwing their rubbish into the street! Such runners should be disqualified! It’s YOUR rubbish, YOU chuck it away. I’m afraid that road runners seem to have this ingrained attitude of entitlement, and I don’t know what will change it. Races should not provide any water tables at all or any support on the route – runners should figure out what they need beforehand, carry it with them and then carry out their rubbish too. And if you cannot do this, don’t run a marathon. And I am a runner too, just not one who expects other people to stand for hours in the sun to hand me a water sachet as I go past.