The Two Oceans Marathon 2026 once again filled the streets of Cape Town with colour. The 55th edition of the race, known as the “world’s most beautiful marathon”, once again delivered an irresistible mix of scenery, history and effort. This year’s event will be remembered for South African star Gerda Steyn’s seventh consecutive victory and for the surprise triumph of debutant Arthur Jantjies, who claimed the men’s title in the closing kilometres.
A course to fall in love with
Founded in 1970, the Two Oceans Marathon covers 56 km around the Cape Peninsula and allows runners to experience the transition between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in just a few hours. The race starts in Newlands, and the course follows the False Bay coastline through Muizenberg, St James and Kalk Bay before heading inland to tackle the spectacular climb of Chapman’s Peak. After descending into Hout Bay, runners face the next major challenge: Constantia Nek. With around 700 m of cumulative elevation gain and constant views of mountains and ocean, the route is demanding yet unforgettable. The finish line, located on the rugby fields of the University of Cape Town, becomes a true celebration of local support.
In addition to the 56 km ultra, the organisers also stage a 21.1 km half marathon that shares the magic of the event and attracts thousands of runners who do not want to miss South Africa’s Easter running festival. Entries usually sell out months in advance, so it is worth keeping a close eye on the official website to secure your bib.
Gerda Steyn: seven years on the throne
The undisputed star of the day was Gerda Steyn. The Hollywood Athletics Club runner completed the course in 3 h 27 min 43 s, more than six minutes ahead of Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba (3 h 33 min 31 s) and Zimbabwe’s Nobuhle Tshuma (3 h 38 min 34 s). Steyn, who made her Two Oceans debut in 2016, admitted after crossing the line that she never imagined winning the race seven years in a row. Smiling as always, she said that staying calm on the climbs and saving energy for the final kilometres were the keys to her success.
- Women’s podium, Two Oceans 2026:
- Gerda Steyn (South Africa) – 3:27:43
- Margaret Jepchumba (Kenya) – 3:33:31
- Nobuhle Tshuma (Zimbabwe) – 3:38:34
Steyn’s dominance of the race is absolute. Had it not been for the cancellations in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic, her winning streak might have been even longer. Although she did not improve on her own course record of 3:26:54, set in 2024, the 36-year-old said she still feels strong and intends to keep chasing more victories for as long as her body allows.
Arthur Jantjies shocks the field
The men’s race provided the biggest surprise of the day. South African runner Arthur Jantjies, from Hopetown and virtually unknown outside his home country, claimed victory in 3 h 09 min 25 s. Pre-race favourite Onalenna Khonkhobe, the 2024 champion, seemed to have the race under control until Jantjies latched onto him with 10 km remaining. On the climb to Constantia Nek, as fatigue began to bite, the underdog launched his decisive move and crossed the finish line around 35 seconds ahead of the more experienced Khonkhobe.
- Men’s podium, Two Oceans 2026:
- Arthur Jantjies (South Africa) – 3:09:25
- Onalenna Khonkhobe (South Africa) – 3:10:00
- Blessing Waison (Zimbabwe) – 3:11:13
Jantjies’ triumph was the result of months of highly specific preparation under renowned coach John Hamlett, including altitude camps in Dullstroom and long runs featuring up to 800 m of climbing. “My coach tells me to stay under the radar and then arrive like a cannonball,” Jantjies joked afterwards. The 28-year-old dedicated the victory to his community in Hopetown and said that his goal is to establish himself on the international ultra-running circuit.
Top 10 and international depth
Beyond the podium finishers, the 2026 edition stood out for its international flavour, with runners from several African nations as well as the United States. While the men’s top 10 was largely dominated by South Africans, the women’s leading positions featured strong representation from Kenya and Zimbabwe.
- Men’s top 10: Arthur Jantjies, Onalenna Khonkhobe, Blessing Waison, Dennis Kipkosgei, Tumelo Moja, Sphamandla Nkosi, Siboniso Sikhakhane, Malixole Kalideni, Mphatso Nadolo and Msawenkosi Mthalane.
- Women’s top 10: Gerda Steyn, Margaret Jepchumba, Nobuhle Tshuma, Shelmith Muriuki, Rholex Jelimo, Mildred Chepkemei Kinyanja, Bize Beyira Negasa, Neheng Khatala, Courtney Olsen and Loveness Madziva.
Preparing for Two Oceans: training tips and strategy
Tackling a 56 km ultra requires planning and consistency. Here are some key recommendations if you want to approach the Two Oceans challenge with confidence:
- Build a solid base. Before thinking about ultra-distance racing, make sure you can comfortably handle runs of 30–35 km. Increase your mileage gradually and avoid sudden jumps.
- Train on hills. Chapman’s Peak and Constantia Nek are decisive sections of the race. Include hill sessions in your programme to strengthen your legs and improve your technique. Our article on hill training explains how to do this safely.
- Practise fuelling and hydration. After more than three hours of effort, your body needs a constant energy supply. Train with the gels, isotonic drinks and solid foods you plan to use on race day so that nothing catches you by surprise.
- Do not neglect strength work. Core, leg and stability exercises improve running economy and reduce injury risk. Two or three strength sessions per week are the perfect complement to long runs.
- Use technology to your advantage. The SnapRace app lets you record elevation gain, heart rate and pace in every workout, plan specific sessions and share your progress with other runners. Its virtual-race feature is especially useful for simulating competitive pressure.
- Recover and listen to your body. Rest is part of training. Include active recovery days and do not be afraid to adjust your plan if you feel excessive fatigue.
If you dream of running around the Cape Peninsula, start preparing early. Places for the Two Oceans Marathon usually sell out within hours of registration opening. Check the official website for requirements and dates, and use SnapRace to guide your training.
Final thoughts
The 2026 Two Oceans Marathon showed once again why this race is on so many runners’ bucket lists. Gerda Steyn’s mastery, Arthur Jantjies’ boldness and the incredible support from the crowd along such a spectacular route remind us that running is not just about competition, but also about living something unforgettable. Will you be ready for the next edition? Start training now, download SnapRace and perhaps next year it will be your turn to leave a mark on the “world’s most beautiful marathon”.