With less than 150 days to go until the 2020 Two Oceans Marathon, there has been much confusion over when entries will open. Just two days ago, details about the entry process for the ultra marathon were published on the official website, stating the entry fee (R600 for South Africans) and the date entries were due to open (10am local time on 14 November 2019 for blue and yellow numbers and 18 November for everyone else). The website also stated that all non-blue and yellow numbers (ie those runners who have run less than nine Two Oceans Marathons) will have to enter via a ballot system. These details were however not communicated to the public via any of the official channels.

This information has since been removed from the website and the organisers have released the following statement:

“TOM NPC hereby confirms that no information relating to TOM2020 entry dates and fees has been publicly communicated by the TOM Race Office.

TOM NPC Chairperson, Rodney Maharage, said “The Two Oceans Marathon appreciates the concerns of the running community and the intense interest in information around the race and securing an entry. However, from a governance perspective, we are obliged to follow due process to ensure that the correct information is released and we request your support.”

As a constituent of Western Province Athletics (WPA), the Two Oceans Marathon is subject to the WPA Road Running Rules. Accordingly, entry fees and any proposed changes to the entry process, are subject to ratification by WPA. Only upon approval thereof will this information be released.

Following the unprecedented demand for entries into TOM’s 2019 Ultra Marathon – which took less than 6 hours to sell out, we can confirm that a ballot process for the Ultra Marathon is under consideration.

The sponsorship contract period with both Old Mutual and adidas ended after the 2019 staging of the race. Their respective decisions not to renew were related to their revised global brand strategies. This has provided an opportunity for the Two Oceans Marathon to review its financial model and to explore new partnerships and to grow the Two Oceans Marathon brand.

“Throughout our history, we have enjoyed positive and longstanding partnerships with some of the biggest and most trusted brands in South Africa. Through our diligence in managing the business efficiently, we will be able to deliver a world-class event well into the future,” says Maharage.

As we enter into a new era of the Two Oceans Marathon, with the 51st running of the event fast approaching, some positive changes are on the horizon. These include enhancing the runner experience along the route and at the Finish Village at UCT, as well as a brand refresh. Through the Two Oceans Marathon Initiative (TOMI), we look forward to growing the social impact footprint via programmes in the areas of education, health, environment and athletics development, and promoting opportunities for entrepreneurship.

“We know that an event of this magnitude comes with many challenges. But equally, we know that as a collective, our resilient, committed and passionate staff, our runners and all our TOM stakeholders can enable us to move forward positively. We are more determined and resolute than ever to deliver a fantastic experience in 2020 and to continue to build and empower communities,” says Two Oceans Marathon Race Director, Debra Barnes.”

We can only speculate as to why the initial race-entry details were uploaded to the website and subsequently removed.

As to when the final information will be released, the Media Office at Two Oceans told Runner’s World via email, that they hope to be releasing dates and fees in the next few days. “When we do release the dates and fees, we will be sure to do so clearly on our social media platforms by way of official comms, directing all parties to further info on the correct places on our website.”

Stay tuned to the RW website and social pages for updates.

UPDATE: The TOM organisers have since released a further statement apologising for the confusion and blaming a technical error for the early release of the entry information. “When engaging with an IT consultant, we learnt that while updating the back-end of twooceansmarathon.org.za with suggested (but not finalised or ratified) information regarding 2020 entry fees and processes, these web pages were actually visible to the public.”

According to the most recent release, entries should open in the next few days.

“We openly acknowledge that we have had a number of unexpected challenges to deal with, and trust that once we have ratification of the entry prices and processes by WPA – we can announce the date of the opening of entries. We expect that this announcement will be no later than Monday 18 November 2019.”

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