The weekend of 10 to 12 April 2026 will see thousands of runners converge on Cape Town to take on the iconic Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon (TTOM), often referred to as the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon. Among the sea of participants will be three extraordinary runners whose journeys embody the very soul of ultra-distance running: Blue Number Club members Louis Massyn, Lucille Damon and Sharon Bosch.

…three extraordinary runners whose journeys embody the very soul of ultra-distance running…

At 75, Outeniqua Harriers’ Louis Massyn (BNC 35) is preparing to line up for a staggering 48th Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon, extending his record as the man with the most ultra finishes in the race’s storied history. Each year adds another chapter to a career defined by grit, consistency and an unbreakable love for the road.

“TTOM has shaped my life,” says Massyn. “Every year the body asks tougher questions, but the heart always knows the answer. As long as I can keep moving forward, I’ll keep coming back.”

With 50 Comrades Marathon medals already to his name, Massyn continues to chase milestones that few could ever imagine, proving that endurance is built over decades, not seasons.

Matching his legacy stride for stride are two incredible women in the ultra-running world. Sharon Bosch (BNC 1953) and Lucille Damon (BNC 1525) jointly hold the record for the most female Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon finishes, with 32 each, and both are set to chase their 33rd finish in 2026.

Their parallel journeys have forged a powerful shared story, cementing their status as two of the Blue Number Club’s most respected and enduring ambassadors.

“For me, TTOM is a moving meditation,” says Damon (66), who will represent Totalsports VOB Running Club in 2026. “Some years you fly, some years you grind, but every finish line feels like a victory earned honestly.”

Bosch (63), chairperson of Old Selbornian Road Runners in East London, echoes the sentiment, describing the race as a true test of character. “TTOM strips you down to who you really are,” she says. “It’s never been about numbers, but standing on that start line still feels like a privilege.”

Together, Massyn, Bosch and Damon embody the pure spirit of ultra-distance running – not the chase for minutes, but the courage to return, year after year.

As the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon approaches, their records stand like permanent course markers, reminding runners everywhere that greatness isn’t measured in speed, but in steadfast miles gathered over a lifetime.

“Louis, Sharon and Lucille represent the heart of TTOM,” says Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC. “They inspire everyone around them, reminding us that this race is about resilience, passion and the joy of returning.”

Wade Bromfield, General Manager of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, agrees: “Watching these athletes line up year after year shows that greatness isn’t just about times or records – it’s about commitment, community and the enduring spirit of Two Oceans.”

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