How to Register for the Two Oceans Marathon in South Africa?

With its iconic races and now its own Marathon Major, Cape Town has earned its place among the world’s great running capitals. And if there is one event that draws the crowds, it’s this one: theTwo Oceans Marathon. Connecting the Atlantic and Indian Oceans through the most scenic roads in the city, this legendary race is regularly cited as the most beautiful race in the world. The Two Oceans Marathon is also a South African institution — a pilgrimage for locals and for those who want to combine personal challenge with postcard scenery. On the program: a 56 km ultra-marathon, a half marathon, and two trail races. But before you get to take in the famous Chapman’s Peak, you’ll need patience and persistence to secure a bib. Marathons.com walks you through every step of the process. Spoiler: international runners have an almost guaranteed entry.✓ How do you register for the Two Oceans Marathon?

The most beautiful race in the world

Every year at Easter, Cape Town transforms into the world capital of running. As if one Major weren’t enough, South Africa also hosts other prestigious running events, each with their own unique character (Cape Town Marathon, Comrades Marathon). At Mother City, the Two Oceans Marathon brings together more than 29,000 runners across the 56 km ultra and the 21.1 km half marathon — all of them fortunate enough to race through streets lined with tens of thousands of spectators.

When you come to race in Cape Town, it’s not just about the clock. Between the mountains that inspire a sense of grandeur and the ocean that borders the city, the sense of escape is total. The race is regularly cited as the most beautiful in the world by participants — and it’s easy to understand why.

A little history helps explain why the Two Oceans is far more than just a race. Born in 1970 as the Celtic 35 Mile Road Race, with 26 participants — including a winner who ran barefoot, one Dirkie Steyn — the event has grown over fifty years into one of the most prestigious races in the world. The Two Oceans Marathon NPC, the non-profit organization that manages the race, estimates it injects around 1.5 billion rand into the Western Cape economy each year. That’s roughly €80 million — a significant boost for the local economy. When we say running is booming, this is what we mean.

Loterie, temps qualificatifs... Tout savoir pour s'inscrire au Marathon Two Oceans à Cape Town, avec un ultra de 56 km et un semi-marathon.

What’s also beautiful here are the unexpected stories. In 2026, the ultra was won on the men’s side by Arthur Jantjies, a 25-year-old unknown from Hopetown, a small town in the Northern Cape, in a time of 3:09:25. Here, every dream is possible and tomorrow’s talent announces itself to the world. On the women’s side, less of a surprise: Gerda Steyn claimed a historic seventh victory in 3:27:43. In the half marathon, Kenyan Felix Kibet Masai lit up the race with a time of 1:03:17, while Namibian Lavinia Haitope won the women’s race in 1:14:36.

Key info – Two Oceans Marathon

Race name: Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Date: Easter weekend (2027 edition to be confirmed)
Formats: 56 km ultra-marathon / 21.1 km half marathon / 16 km and 24 km trail races
Participants: 29,000
Start time: 5:15 AM (ultra) / 6:15 AM (half marathon)
Time limit: 7h00 (ultra) / 3h30 (half marathon)
Elevation gain: 740m (ultra) / 330m (half marathon)
Ultra qualification: Mandatory reference time (e.g. marathon under 5h00)
Registration: Lottery system for both formats, international runners given priority
Price: €45 to €189 (ultra) / €24 to €133 (half marathon)
Official website: twooceansmarathon.org.za

Two races, two registration systems

How does the Two Oceans actually work? The event is built around two main race formats: the 56 km ultra and the 21.1 km half marathon, alongside two trail races of 16 and 24 km. The ultra and the half share the same start (Newlands Main Road, in Newlands, Cape Town) and the same finish (the UCT rugby grounds in Rondebosch) — but their registration processes are entirely separate. In both cases, demand far exceeds supply. You need to be quick, lucky, or both.

Local runners must go through a lottery: apply within the designated window, then wait for a random draw, and if luck is on your side, proceed to payment. The system is designed to be fair — whether you apply on the first or last day of the window, your chances are exactly the same. No first-come, first-served here. Equity is the guiding principle.

That said, certain categories of runners receive preferential treatment — particularly those coming from abroad.

Near-guaranteed entry for international runners

If you’re reading this from France, the United States, or any country other than South Africa, the Two Oceans is rolling out the (almost) red carpet for you. International runners — who come from 99 different countries — are completely exempt from the lottery system. You read that right. No lightning-fast qualifying times, no draw, no anxious inbox-checking: international bibs are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Simply register as soon as entries open and pay within the deadline.

Why this exception? The organization is transparent about it. International runners play a key role in the event’s global reach and in Cape Town’s appeal as a tourist destination. Their presence directly contributes to the local economy — and it’s also a way of affirming that the Two Oceans is a truly global celebration. This is fairly rare in running, where international runners are usually required to pay thousands through a tour operator just to secure a bib. That said, this privilege doesn’t open the doors to just anyone: qualification criteria still apply, including mandatory reference times (see below).

Registering for the ultra-marathon (56 km)

The lottery system

The ultra lottery involves two separate draws:
Draw 1: Reserved for runners who have accumulated 7 or more medals from the event (across the ultra, half marathon, or trail). A system that rewards not just fast runners but loyal ones — those who return year after year. These runners have statistically much better odds of being selected.
Draw 2: Open to everyone else.

Before the general lottery even opens, priority access is granted to members of the Blue Number Club (10 or more medals) and Yellow Number holders (9 medals). These runners receive a personal invitation to register on a first-come, first-served basis ahead of the draw windows. If their quota is exceeded, they are automatically moved into Draw 1.

Qualifying times
Unlike the half marathon, which is open to all, the ultra requires a mandatory qualifying time. Any World Athletics-certified marathon or any race over 42.2 km can serve as a qualifier, provided the course is officially measured and the timing officially recorded. The standards are not elite — the organizer simply wants to ensure participants already have real experience as distance runners. Running an ultra is not something you improvise. The minimum qualifying times are:
➜ 42.195 km (marathon): under 5h00
➜ 48 km: under 6h00
➜ 50 km: under 6h30
➜ 56.6 km: under 7h00
➜ 90 km: under 12h00
➜ 100 km and over: under 13h30

For the 2027 edition, qualifying times must have been set after May 30, 2026. If your qualifying race does not appear in the registration system, you can contact the organizer directly to have it added manually.

Note: South African runners must be members of an athletics club and hold a permanent ASA license to start the ultra. International runners living and working in South Africa are subject to the same rules — no preferential treatment between locals.

Registering for the half marathon (21.1 km)

The lottery system

Two separate draws here as well:
Draw 1 (ASA Club Draw): Reserved for licensed ASA club members.
Draw 2 (General Draw): Open to all. If you are a club member but not selected in the first draw, your application automatically carries over to the second.

No qualifying time required

Good news for half marathon runners: no qualifying time is needed to enter the Two Oceans. However, in order to be placed correctly in the start corrals, each runner must submit a 10 km, 15 km, or 21 km time recorded after May 30, 2026 from an officially timed and measured course. This allows the organizer to group runners of similar ability across 23 corrals. Without a reference time, runners are placed in the last corrals.

How much does a bib cost?

Ultra-marathon entry fees:
Licensed South African runner: 840 ZAR (~€45)
African runner (outside South Africa): 1,185 ZAR (~€63)
International runner: 3,545 ZAR (~€189)

Half marathon entry fees:
International runner: 2,485 ZAR (~€133)
Licensed South African runner: 450 ZAR (~€24)
Unlicensed South African runner: 450 ZAR (~€24 + temporary license fee)
African runner (outside South Africa): 955 ZAR (~€51)

The step-by-step process

Regardless of which category you fall into, the process is the same:

1. Create or update your profile on the official platform: admin.twooceansmarathon.org.za. Without an up-to-date profile — including your medical information, license, and qualifying times — you cannot enter the draw.

2. Submit your application within the designated lottery window. No need to rush on the first day — your chances are identical regardless of when you apply within the window. Also, do not submit multiple applications using different email addresses: you risk being removed from the list entirely.

3. Wait for the results. The draw is computerized and random. If it’s your lucky day, you’ll receive a confirmation by email. Your online profile will also show the status of your application.

4. Pay within the deadline. Time to get the card out — and don’t delay. If payment is not completed before the cutoff, your spot is lost with no recourse.

5. Finalize your profile. After payment, verify your corral assignment, medical details, and license number.

Key dates

For the 2026 edition, registration opened on September 15, 2025, with priority access for Blue Number Club members.

African runners (outside South Africa) and international runners: Registration opens October 1
Blue Number Club members: September 15
Ultra-marathon (56 km) — Draw 1: Application window September 17–24 / Draw: September 25
Ultra-marathon (56 km) — Draw 2: Application window November 3–9 / Draw: November 10
Half marathon (21.1 km): Application window September 18–25 / Draw: September 26

Running for a charity

If the lottery doesn’t go your way, there is an alternative: charity bibs, managed through the Two Oceans Marathon Initiative (TOMI). Partner organizations receive a limited quota of bibs each year, which they redistribute at their own pricing — typically higher than the standard entry fee, for a good cause. The organization neither sets nor controls the price of these bibs; each charity determines its own allocation conditions.

This route requires a genuine commitment. Runners may be asked to fundraise on behalf of the charity in exchange for their bib. Participating organizations are listed on the official race website (twooceansmarathon.org.za). Reach out early in the season — these spots go quickly. An increasing number of runners are opting for charity bibs, adding an extra layer of meaning to their race. For the 2026 edition, applications for this program opened in December — more than six months before the event.

A few race-day tips

The Two Oceans takes place in April — but not the April you know elsewhere in the world. In Cape Town, it’s the height of the austral autumn: mornings are often cool, but the sun can climb quickly as the race progresses. In other words, sunscreen could save you a painful post-race shower. And above all, don’t rely solely on the start temperature to manage your effort. It will rise fast, and conditions around Chapman’s Peak can change in a hurry.

Another key point: accommodation. Cape Town hotels fill up completely over the Easter weekend. Lodging is often snapped up immediately after lottery results are announced — sometimes even before. Book as early as possible.

And if you’re entering for the first time: the half marathon is an excellent entry point into the Two Oceans universe. The course winds through Claremont, Wynberg, and Constantia, along the famous Southern Cross Drive which offers sweeping views of the peninsula. But this demanding climb is not to be taken lightly — many runners end up walking to get through it. The half marathon totals around 330 meters of elevation gain. It’s a challenging, very hilly race. The price you pay for scenery this spectacular.

Running between two oceans, through the mountains of the Cape, with the Atlantic stretching endlessly to your left, passing through warm neighborhoods where locals come out in their pajamas to cheer runners on from six in the morning — running here is something special. And what makes the Two Oceans even more unique is its sense of communion. The race has never had to choose between elite competition and popular celebration. Africa’s finest ultra-marathon runners battle at the front while thousands of everyday runners negotiate the climbs in their own quiet struggle. Everyone belongs in this race. For nearly 60 years, the party has continued — and it’s easy to understand the growing passion for this magical event.

✔ Find all Two Oceans Marathon registration details on the official website.