Two Oceans Marathon faces backlash from running community: 'Stop just thinking of the top runners!'
The event has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks, with running clubs voicing strong criticism following this year’s race.
Thousands of runners participated in the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon on 5 April 2025. Picture: Zunaid Ismael/EWN
CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit interviews Wietse van der Westhuizen, leader of the 15,000-member `Wietse se Run' Facebook group.
Listen below:
A permit breach by the Two Oceans Marathon organisers has cost them their City of Cape Town sponsorship.
The City pulled its backing after organisers exceeded the permitted number of participants in the half-marathon, raising red flags around safety and regulatory compliance.
The event, which was launched in 1970, has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks, with some running clubs voicing strong criticism following this year’s races.
Wietse weighs in, saying that a well-organised race should include essentials like water tables along the route and a medal to greet runners at the finish line, something that the Two Oceans Marathon didn't provide.
"We as runners don't want money, we want well-organised races."
- Wietse van der Westhuizen, Leader – Wietse se Run
He also expresses concern that the Two Oceans Marathon's organisers appear to cater primarily to elite athletes – the top 20 to 30 runners – while overlooking the broader running community.
Wietse says that some people don't realise that:
"If you take away the fifteen thousand runners at the back, there won't be a Two Oceans...You need those guys so start catering to them! Stop just thinking of the top runners in the front."
- Wietse van der Westhuizen, Leader – Wietse se Run
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.