At the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD, pace setters will once again play a crucial role assisting thousands of runners through Cape Town’s iconic coastal course to reach their goals from start line to finish
Among the most inspiring figures in this year’s pacing team is Louzanne Coetzee, the blind South African Paralympic athlete who continues to rewrite the rulebook of endurance sport.
Louzanne Coetzee Photo Supplied
Breaking new ground
Coetzee will tackle the Ultra Marathon for the first time on Saturday 11 April 2026, before returning the next morning to guide runners in the Half Marathon as part of the sub-two-hour pacing group alongside her guide Sewie Sevenster.
The 32-year-old already etched her name into the race’s history books in 2022 when she became the first blind pace setter in the half marathon. This year she raises the bar even higher.
“It is very exciting for me to be pacing again this year,” said Coetzee.
“We worked out our target times as to where we need to be at specific points and how we want to motivate the runners in our group. Fortunately, I can rely on Sewie. He will be an excellent teammate as he has raced multiple distances and paced alongside me before at local races in Bloemfontein. I am excited to share his first Two Oceans pacing experience with him.”
For Coetzee, the race is less about the stopwatch and more about the shared journey. Like a lighthouse guiding ships through restless waters, she and her guide help runners navigate the long, rolling miles.
Mr O’s milestone chase
Another familiar face in the pacing ranks is Ashraf Orrie, affectionately known among runners as Mr O. The Cape Town distance runner is poised to enter the prestigious Blue Number Club by completing his tenth Two Oceans Ultra this year.
Ashraf Orrie and Mine Swart leading the 6:45 bus on Chapman’s Peak by Action Photo
“I am super excited and looking forward to joining the BNC,” Orrie said.
“This will be my fifth year pacing the 56km and my fourth year pacing the 21km, so you could say I normally pace a double,” he added proudly.
“There is nothing better than pacing such an iconic race on home ground. The support along the route for their favourite uncle is unrivalled. Every step taken is pure joy, helping novices achieve their goal of finishing before the 7-hour cutoff. It’s definitely one of my favourite routes in distance running.”
Orrie’s presence embodies the spirit of the event. While elite runners surge ahead chasing prize money, the pace setters keep thousands of runners on track by helping them to navigate the course to reach their specific goals.
The science of pacing
Behind the pacing programme stands the Western Province Pace Setters Group, led by Paul Murphy, a member of the Blue Number Club (BNC 5933).
The group has coordinated the official pacing strategy since 2015 and this year will deploy 41 pace setters in the Ultra Marathon and 28 in the Half Marathon. Seven of the Ultra pace setters already hold Blue Number Club status, with three chasing their tenth finish this year. Six half marathon pacers also hold BNC status.
Murphy describes pacing as both art and science.
“We place pace setters in each batch appropriate to the runners’ expected finish times based on their seeding times,” he explained.
“Predicting finishing times in the Ultra Marathon is complex and is not an exact science. There can be a wide range of finish times for runners with similar qualifying/seeding times, so we do the best we can with the qualifying/seeding information available.”
The pace charts are carefully designed around the famous Two Oceans route profile.
“The pace charts we use are route profile sensitive. Slower on uphills, quicker on downhills. Based on analysis of real results from previous races, we follow a slight positive fade approach that allows for runners slowing down in the second half of the race, which is what 90% of runners do.”
Murphy also offered strategic advice for runners chasing specific finish times.
“The danger is going out too fast in the first half when the route feels easy,” he said.
“From 28km, there is then 18km going up and down Chappies and then up Constantia Nek between 44km and 46km, which is the worst part of the route. If you still have energy at the top of Constantia Nek, there are about 10 kilometres mostly downhill to the finish where you can increase the pace.”
The heartbeat of the race
Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Pace Setters by Devin Paisley
Race organisers believe the pacing programme plays a crucial role in shaping the event experience.
“Having such an experienced and dedicated team of pace setters on course adds tremendous value to the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD,” said Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC.
“Their commitment to guiding and motivating runners plays a key role in helping participants achieve their personal goals, whether it’s a first finish or a new personal best. We are especially proud to see the continued involvement of the Western Province Pace Setters Group, whose consistency and passion have made a lasting impact on the event over the years.”
General Manager Wade Bromfield echoed that sentiment.
“The pacing programme is an integral part of the race-day experience, and we’re excited to once again offer this level of support to our runners. With a strong team in both the Ultra and Half Marathon, participants can feel confident knowing they have expert guidance every step of the way.
“It’s also incredibly inspiring to welcome athletes like Louzanne Coetzee to the line-up. After her phenomenal success as a half marathon pacer, she now takes on an extraordinary challenge. Lining up for her first Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon on Saturday before returning to pace the half marathon again on Sunday. Her journey, resilience and determination truly embody the spirit of the event.”
When thousands of runners surge through the streets of Cape Town, chasing the sunrise and the sound of the ocean, the pace setters will be there among them.
Steady. Measured. Unwavering.
Like the tide rolling in and out along the Atlantic coast, they will hold the rhythm of the race.
Runners enjoying the route of the scenic Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon by Action Photo
Event Information
Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD
- Thursday 09 April 2026 – Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon International Friendship Run
- Friday 10 April 2026 – Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Trail Run
- Start Time: 07:00
- Saturday 11 April 2026 – Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon
- Start Time: 05:15
- Sunday 12 April 2026 – Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon
- Start Time: 06:15
Prize Purse
The event offers a combined prize purse of R2.6 million in 2026.
- Ultra Marathon: R2 177 400
- Half Marathon: R422 600
Websites: www.twooceansmarathon.org.za
