Organizers of South Africa's Two Oceans Marathon have restored trust with the City of Cape Town and stakeholders after the 2025 event's permit breaches and organizational issues. The race is set for April 11-12, with Gerda Steyn aiming for a seventh consecutive ultramarathon victory. New leadership partnered with Stillwater Sports to ensure smooth execution.
The 2025 Two Oceans Marathon faced severe criticism for oversold entries that exceeded the City of Cape Town's permit limits, leading to overcrowded water stations, insufficient ablutions, and a medal shortage. Former chairperson Toni Cavanagh's board dissolved, prompting an interim structure in July 2025 and elections in October that installed Chris Goldschmidt as chairperson.
Goldschmidt's board appointed Stellenbosch-based Stillwater Sports as staging partner, finalizing the deal after the annual general meeting. "The word ‘trust’ is where this whole race has developed in the past six months," Goldschmidt told Daily Maverick. "We’ve got the trust of the City back. We have the trust of sponsors back. We also have the trust of the runners back."
Gerda Steyn seeks to break her own record of six straight wins in the 56km ultra on April 12, having set the course record of 3:26:54. She faces competition from Irvette van Zyl, Shelmith Muruiki, and Neheng Khatala. In the men's race, defending champion Khoarahlane Seutloali, Siboniso Sikhakhane, and 2024 winner Onalenna Khonkhobe—who cramped out last year—are contenders.
About 14,000 runners are expected for the ultra and 17,000 for the half-marathon on April 11, up from 2025 figures. Prize money for ultra winners rises to R380,000 each. Five board members, including Wietse van der Westhuizen targeting his 36th ultra finish, will participate. The trail run starts April 10.
