2Oceans Archives - The Running Mann

8th January 20268th January 2026

The Two Oceans Marathon: A Family Buck-et List Event

A Legacy of Running, Support and Cherished Memories Across Three Generations

For many, the Two Oceans Marathon is more than just a race – it’s a celebration of endurance, community and shared stories. For the Buck family, it symbolises decades of dedication, togetherness, and heartfelt milestones that have shaped their lives. Their deep-rooted association with the event exemplifies the profound family bonds forged through sport and the enduring impact of tradition.

12th November 202512th November 2025

Two Oceans Marathon Ballot 2 (No need for a recount)

Here’s all the stats and facts about the second ballot draw for the 2026 Two Oceans Marathon.

The total number of available entries in ballot 2 were:

Ultra 2,900 with 8,096 applicants in the selection pool
Half 2,350 with 18,006 applicants in the selection pool

This was made up from a small allocation of entries held back from ballot 1 (primarily as a risk mitigation approach to ensure permit levels were not breached as in 2025) and 1,617 ultra and 1,553 successful ballot 1 entries that were not paid by the deadline of 31 October. A very small number of applicants who were found guilty of cheating at the 2025 event were also removed from the pool.

28th September 20254th October 2025

A Deep Dive into the Two Oceans Ballot Entry Process

Having more people wanting to run your race than you can accommodate is a good problem to have. We are very fortunate to have this problem at Two Oceans for the 2026 event, especially considering the problems experienced in recent years.

The interim board committed to be open, honest and transparent in communications and decision-making – and this promise holds true with the election and appointment of the permanent board. In previous years, the number of ballot entries submitted has not been made public but the total number of ultra marathon (17,094) and half marathon ballots (28,506) has already been shared on social media.

Both are the highest numbers of entries ever received. Whilst the half marathon has always reached its allotment, there have been years when the ultra still had room left at the inn or only just managed to surpass the threshold. This has resulted in a lot more rejection and disappointment than in previous years.

In the spirit of transparency, this article provides a detailed breakdown of the ballot selection process and where every entry goes.

22nd September 202523rd September 2025

Liars, Cheats & A Tale of Two Chairs: What to Expect at the Two Oceans Marathon NPC AGM

After what was undoubtedly the worst organised Two Oceans in the event’s 55-year history, and the shambles that followed, it’s great to see (and be part of) a much needed turnaround. However, we are still not quite out of the woods and this year’s AGM will be an important checkpoint to hopefully cement in a return to runner centricity and good governance.

Investigations Still Needed

There is likely to be a lot of discussion over the various issues experienced at the trail, ultra and half marathon as well as allegations of incompetence, corruption and extreme opportunism against specific board members and staff. The primary focus of the interim board, of which I was a member, has been on ensuring that the 2026 race goes ahead.

Personally, I have pushed for accountability and that formal, transparent investigations are conducted into those implicated. Some headway has been made but, because of the timing, this will be a problem for the post-AGM board to deal with.

Some of the accountability issues that still need formal investigation are:

21st July 202530th July 2025

WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVE: Cavanagh’s Missing Marathons found (in ‘community-based’ runs that ‘does not use timing chips or publish official records’)

An eight-month mystery surrounding Toni Cavanagh’s missing marathons has finally been solved. This comes after the revelation from none other than Toni Cavanagh herself, under oath in a signed affidavit, that her 6 missing marathons, 30+ missing half marathons and the ultra distance road and trail events claimed on her CV are “based on the compilation of my own races run and accomplishments, which include events, personal training, endurance runs and self-led challenges.”

If you believe this, you’ll believe anything.

16th May 202516th May 2025

Chartering an Accountant: An Interview with Two Oceans Legend Lucille Damon

Lucille Damon was the first woman to earn a triple Blue Number at the Two Oceans ultra marathon and she did so in style with 30 consecutive finishes from 1990 to 2019. Lucille thought she was done with the ultra after Covid but, after running the half marathon post-Covid in 2022, she realised that she preferred the longer Two Oceans route (which includes some actual views of the ocean) and has added another two voyages to her count.

A full audit of Lucille’s Two Oceans general ledger shows that she’s accrued 32 ultra marathon medals (with a best time of 4:27:56 on her 10^th run in 1999) and the solitary 2022 half marathon. After the 2025 event, Lucille and Sharon Bosch jointly hold the ladies record Two Oceans ultra finishes – and just like her record, Lucille proved difficult to track down.

14th May 202514th May 2025

TOM 2025 Reader Letters: Once Bitten, Twice Shy

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.

12th May 202512th May 2025

TOM 2025 Reader Letters: The Kindness of Strangers

We’ve heard a lot from the runners about the diabolical water situation in the Two Oceans ultra marathon but here’s a different perspective from one of the supporters on the day, Lungi Khambule.

Good day,

I was privileged to support runners at 26km and just before 47km during the Two Oceans Ultra — and what I witnessed left me deeply moved.

At 26km, runners were asking for food, salt, and spray etc. All was relatively good.

But at 47km, the sight was heartbreaking. Runners were desperate for water – pleading at every supporter they saw. Even the supporters adjacent to us were asking us for water, as runners were desperately also asking them for water.

11th May 202511th May 2025

TOM 2025 Reader Letters: Water Woes Ignored in 2024, Worse in 2025

Despite issuing ‘Heatwave’ warnings, Two Oceans failed to provide sufficient water to participants. Both the ultra and half marathons had long stretches of 6km or more with no support tables where runners had to rely on the goodwill of strangers to keep hydrated. In addition, some tables ran out of water and they could not handle the volume of runners. What is very alarming is that these issues have been raised by various participants like Kerryne Krause but have seem to have been completely ignored by the organisers.

The Two Oceans organisers failed to address problems with the 2024 Two Oceans water tables, which were arguably far worse in 2025 . Fortunately the impending ‘heatwave’ warning never materialised. Kerryne tried to contact the organisers on several occasions but was ignored.

10th May 202510th May 2025

TOM 2025 Stories: A Medal of Honour

“Good morning Stuart, I want to give you a lead to consider for a story, but I am not really part of the story.” was the intriguing message I received from Ronnie van der Westhuizen. He did have a story that is both lovely to tell and interesting to read so here it is.

Ronnie is a member of Hangklip Athletic Club in Bettys Bay and the story revolves around clubmate Johan le Roux who had recently moved to the small holiday village after going into early retirement. Health related issues had meant Johan had to leave his post of 21 years as the principal of the Black Rock Primary School in the Northern Cape.