Where does the 2026 False Bay 50 rank in terms of bad weather runs? Having 309 previous marathons as a point of comparison, I’ve run a few where it’s rained more and rained harder but that is definitely the strongest wind I’ve ever encountered.
Video courtesy of Eleanor Talbot.
The only marathon I’ve done that rivals False Bay 2026 was back in 2008 when I was in the USA for work and ran a double-lapper around an air force base in Warner Robins, Georgia. As such it was exposed to the elements. The first-lap was great – perfect running conditions. I ran an 87 minute split and thought I would cruise around for a comfortable sub-3.
Then the weather came. The temperature plummeted to below zero and stinging sheets of sleet and rain meant that not only did we get a lot of “Georgia on our Mind” but we got even more Georgia in our faces. I hit the wall badly and ended with a 3h18. When I crossed the line, the organiser handed me a medal and asked, “How did that go?” I answered “Uh durr durr durr durr durr.” because I couldn’t reply as my face was completely numb from the cold (my mouth felt like I’d just been given local anaesthetic by an overzealous dentist).
But my running career is insignificant compared to some legends on the road. Fortunately Louis Massyn, fresh from his 48th Two Oceans medal and with his 51st Comrades finish loading, was also running False Bay this year. We were running at a similar pace and had a few good chats on the road to Gordon’s Bay (when the wind died down enough to make conversation even possible).
Where did Saturday’s weather rate on Oom Louis’ meteorological rankings?
I asked the expert, “Have you ever run in worse or more challenging conditions than we had yesterday?”
Approaching 700 marathon and ultra finishes and with almost six decades of running experience, Louis could only think of the two other runs that could compare. “Once in Bloemfontein we had bitterly cold weather where we had cold wind and even light snow and sleet.”
The other was Two Oceans 1993, “That year we ran in gusty winds and rain which was worse than yesterday. It rained from start to finish – around Chappies was the worst. When we finished at the Villagers grounds in Brookside, the rainwater was ankle deep all over.”
I was in matric that year and was handing out cans of Coke to all the runners at the finish line (I might even have unknowingly given one to Louis) and can remember the deluge well. Our family home was about a kilometre from Brookside and when my father crossed the line, he said a very brief “Hello” and then ran straight home for a warm shower. Fortunately the cutoff was still 6 hours in those days so I just had to ensure another 2 hours of “community service” before I could get warm and undercover.
Louis qualified his 3rd place “Weather Conditions” finish for the 2026 edition of the False Bay 50 with, “The conditions really improved towards the finish – which was great!”
I think Louis speaks for all of us who conquered Clarence Drive when he concludes, “The organisers did a great job under the conditions. The refreshment stations were extremely excellent and route control traffic was great – overall this was a job well done!”
So there you have it. Saturday 2 May 2026 may not have been the worst weather conditions Louis Massyn has ever experienced but you’re likely going to have to run several hundred marathons more and for a couple of decades longer before you experience anything similar.
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Comrades 2013 would like a word.
I didn’t run 2013 Comrades but obviously Louis did. I suspect he was thinking of cold and wet races as his frame of reference. Although he does hail from Odendaalsrus so 2013 was probably just slightly warm but those standards.
I ran 2013 Comrades. It was not wet, just the last 30kms, with a warm Berg head wind into PMB, was tough.
You ran sub3 marathons?!
Way, way back. BC (before children).
I don’t think I’ll do False Bay ever again. This year was no fun at all. Heavy wind driven rain and cold weather followed by finish line disqualification for wearing one permanent number not two is no fun at all. Theoretically the views could have been beautiful in good weather.
The sad thing is that it’s not the organisers but the WPA appointed technical officials doing the DQing. I know for a fact that the organisers and sponsors would prefer that technical DQs are not given.