Everything you need to know about Two Oceans 2026 batch seedings

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The big change is smaller batches

The one big change this year is that the seeding batches are much smaller, downsizing from about 1200 to 770 runners per batch in the half and just below 700 per batch in the full. This has resulted in an increase in the number of batches to 19 in the ultra and 23 in the half.

All batches will leave at two minute intervals* and, in the event that there is a start time delay, the in-race cutoffs will automatically be adjusted based on the time that the last batch actually starts. I will do a separate article on the cutoffs but I can confirm that they are both sensible and fair in 2026.

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

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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.

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Blue Number Bummer (Two Oceans downgrades their loyalty program)

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A Two Oceans Blue Number is quite literally a badge of honour. In terms of street credibility for the recreational South Africa distance runner, it is second only to Comrades’ Green Number. Many a Two Oceans ultra marathon novice lines up at the start in Newlands for a maiden voyage, hoping to one day be standing there in a Blue Number. I certainly did when I stood at the start of my first Oceans in 2002.

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