Two Oceans Marathon
Road
DateApril
LocationCape Town, South Africa
DistanceUltramarathon (56 km)
Record
  •  Men: 3:03:44 (1988)
      Thompson Magawana
  •  Women: 3:26:54 (2024)
      Gerda Steyn
Homepagewww.twooceansmarathon.org.za

The Two Oceans Marathon is a 56 kilometres (35 mi) ultramarathon and 21 kilometres (13 mi) half-marathon held annually in Cape Town, South Africa with the ultramarathon held on a Saturday in April and the half marathon held the next day on the Sunday. It was previously held on Easter weekend.[1]

Described as "the world's most beautiful marathon",[2] the race is run against a backdrop of spectacular scenery through the Cape Peninsula.

Both races start in Newlands. The Ultra Marathon follows a more or less circular route through Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, over Chapman's Peak, through Hout Bay and Constantia Nek, and eventually finishes at the University of Cape Town campus. On occasions when Chapman's Peak Drive has been closed due to construction or rock falls, the Ultra Marathon has followed an alternative route over Ou Kaapse Weg.

The Half Marathon takes runners along Edinburgh Drive (the M3 highway), before turning into forest roads past Kirstenbosch and finishing at the University of Cape Town campus.

Since its inaugural edition in 1970, the event has grown. Selling out every year, the Half Marathon sees some 16,000 participants (making it the biggest half marathon in South Africa), while 11,000 athletes tackle the 56 km Ultra Marathon.

In addition to the main events, other events take place:

  • Approximately 6 000 runners - including toddlers and young children with their families - take part in various fun runs
  • Approximately 1 000 trail runners traverse the trails of the Table Mountain National Park
  • International participants get to run a scenic 5 km route along the Sea Point promenade as part of the International Friendship Run

The 2020 and 2021 editions of the race were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4]

Winners

Men

Key:

YearWinnerTimeCountry
2026Arthur Jantjies3:09:25[5]
2025Khoarahlane Seutloali3:10:46[6]
2024Onalenna Khonkhobe3:09:30[7]
2023Givemore Mudzinganyama3:09:42[8]
2022Edndale Belachew3:09:05
cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic[3][4]
2019Bongmusa Mthembu3:08:40
2018Justin Kemboi3:09:21
2017Lungile Gongqa[9]3:09:43
2016Mike Fokoroni3:13:33
2015Motlokoa Nkhabutlane3:10:27
2014Lebenya Nkoko3:09:52
2013David Gatebe3:08:54
2012Stephen Muzhingi3:08:08
2011George Ntshiliza3:08:31
2010Mabuthile Lebopo3:06:18
2009John Wachira3:10:06
2008Marco Mambo3:11:35
2007Bethuel Netshifhefhe3:08:03
2006Moses Njodzi3:06:50
2005Marco Mambo3:05:39
2004Marco Mambo3:07:41
2003Mluleki Nobanda3:09:21
2002Hlonepha Simon Mphulanyane3:09:42
2001Honest Mutsakani3:11:18
2000Joshua Peterson3:13:13
1999Isaac Tshabalala3:11:20
1998Fusi Nhlapo3:11:30
1997Zithulele Sinqe3:07:17
1996Zithulele Sinqe3:09:45
1995Simon Malindi3:10:53
1994Phineas Makaba3:15:06
1993Isaac Tshabalala3:14:29South Africa
1992Israel Morake3:15:56South Africa
1991Miltas Tshabalala3:16:00South Africa
1990Willie Mtolo3:10:51South Africa
1989Johannes Thobejane3:12:20South Africa
1988Thompson Magawana3:03:44South Africa
1987Thompson Magawana3:05:31South Africa
1986Ephraim Sibisi3:09:30South Africa
1985Siphiwe Gqele3:11:57South Africa
1984Siphiwe Gqele3:10:57South Africa
1983Siphiwe Gqele3:11:54South Africa
1982Ben Cheou3:11:15South Africa
1981Johnny Halberstadt3:05:37South Africa
1980Hoseah Tjale3:14:30South Africa
1979Vincent Rakabaele3:08:56
1978Brian Chamberlain3:15:23South Africa
1977Brian Chamberlain3:15:22South Africa
1976Vincent Rakabaele3:18:05
1975Derek Preiss3:22:01South Africa
1974Derek Preiss3:21:40South Africa
1973Don Hartley3:24:05South Africa
1972Don Hartley3:25:12South Africa
1971Rob Knutzen3:42:31South Africa
1970Dirkie Steyn3:55:50South Africa

Women

Key:

YearWinnerTimeCountry
2026Gerda Steyn3:27:43[5]
2025Gerda Steyn3:29:09[6]
2024Gerda Steyn3:26:54[7]
2023Gerda Steyn3:29:06[10]
2022Gerda Steyn3:29:42[11]
cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic[3][4]
2019Gerda Steyn3:31:29
2018Gerda Steyn3:39:31
2017Maryna Damantsevich[9]3:37:13
2016Caroline Wöstmann3:44:44
2015Caroline Wöstmann3:41:23
2014Nina Podnebesnova3:40:07
2013Tabitha Tsatsa[12]3:39:54
2012Elena Nurgalieva3:41:55
2011Olesya Nurgalieva3:33:58
2010Olesya Nurgalieva3:41:52
2009Elena Nurgalieva3:40:43
2008Olesya Nurgalieva3:34:53
2007Madina Biktagirova3:35:11
2006Tatyana Zhirkova3:36:19
2005Elena Nurgalieva3:38:12
2004Elena Nurgalieva3:37:51
2003Simona Staicu3:37:32
2002Natalia Volgina3:38:02
2001Natalia Volgina3:44:53
2000Sarah Mahlangu3:48:58
1999Angelina Sephooa3:38:09
1998Angelina Sephooa3:49:59
1997Angelina Sephooa3:45:45
1996Maria Bak3:45:16
1995Fehér Enikő3:49:31
1994Carolyn Hunter-Rowe3:51:37
1993Pat Lithgow3:57:11South Africa
1992Monica Drogemoller3:49:16South Africa
1991Monica Drogemoller3:50:23South Africa
1990Monica Drogemoller3:42:39South Africa
1989Frith van der Merwe3:30:36South Africa
1988Monica Drogemoller3:44:29South Africa
1987Liz Eglinton3:53:52South Africa
1986Adelene Joubert3:52:59South Africa
1985Beverly Malan3:55:51South Africa
1984Helen Lucre3:52:20South Africa
1983Beverly Malan3:57:32South Africa
1982Beverly Malan3:59:08South Africa
1981Gail Hurry4:11:31South Africa
1980Gail Hurry4.14:05South Africa
1979Diane Alperstein4:22:58South Africa
1978Janet Bailey4:34:28South Africa
1977Marie-Jeanne Duyvejonk5:03:52
1976Marie-Jeanne Duyvejonk5:01:07
1975Ulla Paul5:14:51South Africa

Half Marathon

Key:

YearMen's winnerTime (h:m:s)Women's winnerTime (h:m:s)
2026Felix Kibet Masai (Kenya)01:03:17Lavinia Haitope (NAM)01:14:36
2025William Kaptein (South Africa)01:04:41Mercy Jebet Kibor (Kenya)01:17:06
2024Thabang Mosiako (South Africa)01:04:40Mokulubete Makatisi (LES)01:13:52
2023Mbuleli Mthanga (South Africa)01:03:58Emma Pallant (United Kingdom)01:14:17
2022Moses Tarakinyu (Zimbabwe)01:03:31Fortunate Chidzivo (Zimbabwe)01:14:49
cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic[3][4]
2019[13]Elroy Gelant (South Africa)1:03:17Helalia Johannes (NAM)1:10:26
2018[14]David Manja (South Africa)1:04:08Nolene Conrad (South Africa)1:16:18
2017Namakoe Nkhasi[9] (LES)1:03:15Irvette van Zyl[9] (South Africa)1:13:53
2016Namakoe Nkhasi (LES)1:03:38Irvette van Zyl (South Africa)1:13:14
2015Stephen Mokoka (South Africa)1:04:00Lebogang Phalula (South Africa)1:14:48
2014Stephen Mokoka (South Africa)1:04:16Dina Lebo Phalula (South Africa)1:14:00
2013Stephen Mokoka (South Africa)1:03:36Meseret Mengistu (Ethiopia)1:12:43
2012Xolisa Tyali (South Africa)1:04:52René Kalmer (South Africa)1:15:02
2011Lusapho April (South Africa)1:03:59Helalia Johannes (NAM)1:11:57
2010Lusapho April (South Africa)1:03:54René Kalmer (South Africa)1:12:39
2009Stephen Mokoka (South Africa)1:03:42Helalia Johannes (NAM)1:13:34
2008George Majaji (Zimbabwe)1:03:31Mamorallo Tjoka (LES)1:15:04
2007Willy Kariuku Mwangi (Kenya)1:03:05Helalia Johannes (NAM)1:13:16
2006Cuthbert Nyasango (Zimbabwe)1:02:54Helalia Johannes (NAM)1:13:35
2005Hendrick Ramaala (South Africa)1:03:26Mamorallo Tjoka (LES)1:15:58
2004Elijah Mutandiro (South Africa)1:04:02Ronel Thomas (South Africa)1:16:46
2003Luwis Masunda (Zimbabwe)1:03:46Charné Rademeyer (South Africa)1:15:48
2002Josia Thugwane (South Africa)1:04:15Charné Rademeyer (South Africa)1:15:27
2001Zacharia Mpolokeng (South Africa)1:05:53Charné Rademeyer (South Africa)1:17:37
2000Elijah Mutandiro (Zimbabwe)1:05:31Kirsty Weir (South Africa)1:18:24
1999Elijah Mutandiro (Zimbabwe)1:04:35Theresa du Toit (South Africa)1:19:53
1998Makhosonke Fika (South Africa)1:05:35Gwen Griffiths-van Lingen (South Africa)1:17:01

References

  1. ^ Falconer, Sean (7 October 2022). "New Era for Two Oceans Following Move Off Easter Weekend". Modern Athlete.
  2. ^ Hamlett, Alison (20 August 2008). "20 Races to do before you die". Runner's World. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  3. ^ "2020 Two Oceans Marathon cancelled amid COVID-19 Pandemic"
  4. ^ "Two Oceans Marathon 2021 − Event Update - Two Oceans Marathon". www.twooceansmarathon.org.za. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  5. ^ Sibembe, Yanga (2026-04-11). "Seventh heaven for SA road running queen Gerda Steyn at Two Oceans Marathon". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  6. ^ Daries, Aiden (5 April 2025). "Khoarahlane Seutloali and Gerda Steyn wins 2025 Two Oceans". CapeTownETC.
  7. ^ Botton, Wesley (2024-04-13). "Gerda Steyn shatters record to win fifth Two Oceans title". The Citizen. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  8. ^ "Givemore Mudzinganyama storms to victory in the men's section of the Two Oceans marathon" (in en-ZA). SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  9. ^ "Gongqa, Damantsevich win Two Oceans Marathon titles"
  10. ^ "Gerda Steyn smashes her own Two Oceans record" (in en-ZA). TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  11. ^ Schenk, Heinz. "Sensational Gerda Steyn obliterates course record to claim third Two Oceans title". Sport. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  12. ^ "Two Oceans winner loses title". 2013-12-05.
  13. ^ "2019 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (2019) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  14. ^ "2018 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (2018) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 2022-04-22.