By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Action Photo
Seen Here: Sibongile Cele
Cape Town – The Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon (TTOM) continues to defy conventional limits of age and endurance, with the 2026 edition set to showcase one of its most inspiring spectacles yet: the unwavering spirit of the Blue Number Club (BNC).
More than 3,100 Blue Number Club members are expected to line up across the Ultra and Half Marathon races in April 2026, reinforcing the event’s reputation as a celebration not only of elite athleticism, but of lifelong commitment to running. Remarkably, this group includes runners well into their 70s and 80s, redefining what longevity in sport truly looks like.
Seen Here: Nancy Will
Among them are 16 Half Marathon Blue Number Club members aged over 80, 49 Ultra Marathon runners in their 70s, and 147 Half Marathon BNC athletes in the same age bracket. A further 743 runners aged between 60 and 69 will also take to the iconic routes around the Cape Peninsula, proving that endurance and passion do not diminish with time.
“The Blue Number Club continues to show that the spirit of running knows no age,” says Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC. “Seeing members in their 60s, 70s and even 80s taking on the Ultra and Half Marathon is nothing short of extraordinary. Their dedication and perseverance inspire runners of every generation.”
Seen Here: Willemien Smuts
Echoing this sentiment, Wade Bromfield, General Manager of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, highlights the scale of this achievement. “More than a third of our Blue Number Club runners in 2026 are aged 60 and above. That includes athletes in their 70s and 80s whose commitment is a powerful testament to resilience, endurance and the pure joy of running.”
Seen Here: Makgoale Magwentshu
This year’s field features a number of standout inspirational athletes. Among the Half Marathon runners are Kaare and Marlene James, both aged 82, Sibongile Cele (81) and Willemien Smuts (85). In the Ultra Marathon, runners to watch include Makgoale Magwentshu (71), Nancy Will (73) and Larence Ashworth (79).
Few stories capture the essence of the Blue Number Club quite like that of Kaare James. At 82, James boasts an astonishing 41 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon medals and has participated in every edition since 1980, barring the two years the race was cancelled due to COVID-19. Having earned his Light Blue Number in 2025, he will run the 2026 Half Marathon proudly wearing permanent number 2338.
Seen Here: Lawrence Ashworth
“It’s a privilege to be one of the oldest Blue Number Club members in 2026,” James says. “I’ve collected so many incredible memories over the years. I don’t have a secret to staying strong – I just get an early night, don’t eat too much before a race, and my wife looks after me very well. On race day, the goal is simple: reach the finish in one piece and enjoy every moment.”
Equally inspiring is Ultra Marathon runner Makgoale Magwentshu, who will line up in 2026 with her sights firmly set on a milestone 20th medal after missing the 2025 race. Achieving this would earn her coveted Double Blue Number status.
Seen Here: Kaare James
“I can’t wait to become a Double Blue Number member,” Magwentshu says. “It means everything to me. I wear my Blue Number with pride. The recognition we receive shows that we are valued, and it motivates other runners to keep chasing that milestone.”
The Blue Number Club represents one of the most respected honours in South African road running. Membership is awarded to runners who complete 10 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon events across Ultra, Half or Trail races, or who achieve specific elite performance benchmarks. Beyond the prestige, members enjoy benefits such as priority entry, preferential seeding and dedicated hospitality – recognition befitting what organisers describe as the “titans of the race”.
Seen Here: Marlene James
Set across three days from 10 to 12 April 2026, the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon once again promises to blend world-class competition with deeply human stories of perseverance. As thousands of runners chase personal goals along one of the world’s most scenic routes, the Blue Number Club will stand as a powerful reminder that at Two Oceans, age is not a barrier – it is a badge of honour.
