Good news, Cape Town runners, the Two Oceans Marathon (TOM) will indeed take place in 2026 following a period of uncertainty.
Controversy arose after too many runners took part in the 2025 race. The City of Cape Town issued two permits - one for the Half (17,000) and one for the Ultra (14,000) Marathons. However, 20,600 entered the Half Marathon and 17,677 officially crossed the finish line, according to News24.
This led to the City reconsidering their issuing of future permits, as the greater numbers 'compromised participant safety and undermined the extensive planning required for large-scale events'.
Thankfully, it appears all of those issues have been ironed out and the 'World's Most Beautiful Race' will be run on 11 and 12 April 2026, with race officials making the exciting announcement on Monday afternoon. There will be a new partner, to boot... or is that 'to running shoe'?
Anyway...
On the new partnership, Chris Goldschmidt, Chairman of the Board of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, says: “The Two Oceans Marathon has a proud history, and this partnership marks a significant step forward in ensuring its future as a world-class event. We are confident that with Stillwater Sports’ proven expertise, alongside the continued support of Totalsports, the 2026 edition will set new benchmarks for excellence and inclusivity.”
It has not been confirmed which day of the weekend will host the Half Marathon and which day will host the Ultra Marathon, so it's a good idea to keep your eyes on the official TOM site for further announcements.
History of the Two Oceans Marathon
The first iteration of the TOM was held in May 1970, with just 26 runners taking part. It was seen as a way to help the athletes prepare for the Comrades.
In 1972, the name 'Two Oceans Marathon' was officially adopted and a R2.00 entry fee was charged. In 1973, the marathon moved to the Easter weekend and has been a fixture of the running calendar ever since.
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