Organisers of the iconic Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD have issued an important update for all athletes who successfully secured entries through the 2027 ballot. Runners planning to tackle either the Ultra Marathon or the Half Marathon are being urged to take note of critical submission deadlines to guarantee their place on the start line and secure their correct race day seeding.
With thousands of local and international athletes set to converge on Cape Town for one of the world’s most scenic road races, understanding the key submission requirements is essential for smooth preparation ahead of race weekend.
Ultra Marathon Qualifying Criteria
For competitors targeting the gruelling 56km Ultra Marathon distance, the official qualifying window runs from 1 May 2026 until midnight on 7 March 2027.
To validate an entry and secure a spot on the 2027 start line, runners must complete and submit an official qualifying race within this designated timeframe. A standard marathon (42.2km) must be finished in under five hours, while events exceeding the marathon distance must meet applicable cutoff standards relative to the distance run.
Race organizers emphasize that all qualifying events must be officially measured and timed in accordance with standards recognized by Athletics South Africa (ASA) and World Athletics (WA). Standard marathons and ultra-distance events taking place within the qualifying window are eligible provided they comply with these criteria. Detailed qualifying times for events longer than 42.2km are available on the official event website.
Half Marathon Seeding Submission Deadline
Athletes competing in the Half Marathon have until midnight on 28 February 2027 to submit their seeding times. Entrants must provide an official race result from a 10km, 15km, or 21.1km event completed within the valid period to ensure they are assigned to the appropriate start batch on race day.
Entrants across both the Ultra and Half Marathon distances can log into their personal profiles to submit their verified qualification and seeding times directly via the official race portal at www.twooceansmarathon.org.za.
Leadership Urges Early Preparation
Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, stressed the importance of timely submissions, noting that months of hard physical preparation should not be compromised by missed administrative deadlines. He encouraged all athletes to review the requirements early to ensure all necessary processes are completed well before the cutoffs.
Echoing these thoughts, Event Director Wade Bromfield highlighted that early submissions significantly aid the event’s operational planning and help ensure a seamless experience for both participants and staff. He urged runners not to wait until the last minute to update their profile details, adding that the organizing team looks forward to welcoming the global running community back to Cape Town in 2027.
