By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Pictures: Action Photo
Seen Here: Denzil Abraham (Blue Number 2279) in action during a previous year’s Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon. Photo Credit: Action Photo.
Cape Town, 11 April 2026 – In a race defined by beauty, brutality and legacy, eleven endurance athletes will line up at the 2026 edition of the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon with a singular objective: to complete their 30th Ultra and secure coveted membership into the prestigious Triple Blue Number Club.
The Triple Blue Number Club (BNC) represents one of the rarest distinctions in global road running. To date, only 98 athletes — 95 men and three women — have completed 30 or more Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathons. On Saturday, 11 April 2026, that number could rise to 109.
The runners aiming to join this elite fraternity are: Robert Button (66), Lawrence Ashworth (69), David Beard (62), Denzil Abrahams (66), Ravi Govender (54), Christiaan Steyn (65), Arthur Valasis (74), Deon Pienaar (69), Mark Carlson (55), Curtis Rajoo (53), and Kim Pain (59).
Seen Here: Ravi Govender (Blue Number 2312) in action during a previous year’s Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon. Photo Credit: Action Photo.
A Milestone Forged Over Decades
For many of the eleven contenders, the pursuit of a 30th finish is the culmination of a lifelong relationship with a race often described as “the world’s most beautiful marathon.” But the Ultra’s 56-kilometre route over Chapman’s Peak and Constantia Nek demands more than admiration — it requires resilience refined over decades.
Curtis Rajoo, representing Run4Fun in KwaZulu-Natal, first toed the line in 1995 at just 22 years old. Three decades later, he remains deeply connected to the event.
“As they say, TTOM is the most beautiful race, but it’s also tough,” Rajoo reflects. “Reaching 30 is big for me. It was always a goal. After so many years, I can’t imagine not running TTOM. If I’m not on that start line, what would I even be doing that day?”
At 53, Rajoo stands alongside Ravi Govender of Team Vitality CGA in Johannesburg as one of the two youngest men chasing their 30th finish this year.
Tradition, Camaraderie and Personal Conquest
For Govender, the annual journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town transcends competition. For more than 30 years, he and two close friends have driven down together — transforming race weekend into a ritual of camaraderie and shared purpose.
“It’s the people and that feeling of crossing the line,” says Govender. “That euphoria when you’ve beaten the clock, when you’ve conquered the mountains and conquered yourself.”
Govender draws inspiration from 75-year-old George Tadden, already a 30-time finisher, who has travelled alongside him over the years. “Seeing what’s possible keeps you motivated,” he adds.
Seen Here: Curtis Rajoo (Blue Number 2801) in action during a previous year’s Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon. Photo Credit: Action Photo.
A Legacy of Faith and Family
For Celtic Harriers stalwart Denzil Abrahams, the 2026 attempt carries profound emotional significance. His journey with the Ultra is interwoven with personal reflection, faith, and family legacy.
“In 1993 my father, Edward Abrahams, died from a sudden heart attack at age 54,” Abrahams shares. “The year I finished my first Two Oceans Ultra, I started asking questions about my eternal destiny. I immediately drew a parallel between endurance running and endurance in faith. My love for TTOM just grew and grew.”
Married for 40 years, Abrahams credits his wife Debbie for being a constant pillar throughout three decades of racing. After failing to qualify for the Ultra in 2025, he completed the Half Marathon alongside his daughter, Linzi Coller — a symbolic reset before returning with renewed determination to chase Triple Blue in 2026.
A Lone Woman in Pursuit of History
Among the eleven contenders, Kim Pain stands as the sole female athlete targeting her 30th Ultra finish this year. Should she succeed, her achievement will further underscore the extraordinary consistency and dedication required to sustain three decades of participation at elite endurance levels.
With only three women currently holding 30-plus finishes, Pain’s milestone would represent both personal triumph and a significant contribution to women’s legacy within the race’s storied history.
Endorsement from Race Leadership
Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, acknowledged the magnitude of the achievement awaiting the eleven athletes.
“Reaching 30 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathons is a rare mark of durability and commitment. Best of luck to Robert, Lawrence, David, Denzil, Ravi, Christiaan, Arthur, Deon, Mark, Curtis and especially Kim Pain — an athlete whose consistency over the years embodies the spirit of this race.”
Wade Bromfield, General Manager of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the symbolic importance of the milestone within the race’s heritage.
A Weekend of Endurance Celebration
The 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon programme includes:
- Thursday, 9 April 2026 – International Friendship Run
- Friday, 10 April 2026 – Trail Run
- Saturday, 11 April 2026 – Ultra Marathon
- Sunday, 12 April 2026 – Half Marathon
Yet for eleven runners, Saturday’s Ultra will carry particular weight. Thirty finishes signify more than participation; they represent decades of discipline, injury management, family support, and unwavering commitment to a singular start line.
As Cape Town prepares to host another edition of this iconic endurance event, the pursuit of Triple Blue will stand as a powerful reminder that greatness in ultrarunning is measured not only in speed, but in longevity.
