Kim Pain: the only female runner chasing 30th Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in 2026

Image: Action Photo

On Saturday, 11 April 2026, as the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon gets underway, Kim Pain will be the only female runner lining up to attempt triple blue status - chasing a remarkable 30th finish at this iconic race.

If successful, the 59-year-old Jeppe Quondam Athletics Club stalwart’s achievement will represent 36 years of unwavering dedication - dating back to her Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon debut in 1990, when a 23-year-old Kim Pain finished in 4:56:36.

Since returning to the race in 1993, the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon (TTOM) has been a constant in her running journey. Her remarkable longevity ranks her among South Africa’s most durable female endurance athletes. In 2002 she completed her 10^th voyage earning Blue Number Club (BNC) membership 2213.

“I don’t think I was ever chasing 30,” said Pain. “I always chose to run TTOM and enjoy a weekend away.”

Behind the statistics lies a deep family connection to the sport. “My mom and dad, Alf and Wendy Pain, have always been my greatest supporters,” she adds. “My dad especially has been my inspiration. We came down to Cape Town as a family in 1990, and that’s where my TTOM journey began.”

Some races stand out more sharply than others. Her 20th Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in 2012 came in freezing, rain-soaked conditions. “It was so cold, wet and muddy at the finish. It was pouring with rain, and I was lucky to have my parents supporting on the side of the road,” she recalled.

Her 25th ultra in 2017 proved a defining moment. “I was very taken aback when the organisers gave me a congratulatory letter and a small trophy,” said Pain. “I think it was a very cool gesture, it also meant that after finishing my 25th, I was exempt from paying entry fees. That only motivated me to get to my 30th.”

With a surname like Pain and a race number steeped in history, she has become a living checkpoint of wisdom for fellow runners, especially those tackling the race for the first time. “Yes, that's the standard comment I often get. You've got the right surname. Often, when I'm running and I've got runners around me, they'll come up to me and they'll say to me, when did you start running? You must have started when you were very young because you have so many ultras behind your name,” she laughs.

Pain’s journey is a testament to the fact that endurance is not forged in a single race, but built patiently over time - stride by stride, year by year.

“Kim Pain embodies the spirit of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon. Her 30th appearance is a testament to decades of dedication and endurance, inspiring every runner on the start line,” says Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC.

Adding to that, Wade Bromfield, General Manager of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon, highlighted the milestone: “Reaching 30 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathons is extraordinary. Kim’s journey reflects resilience, consistency, and the heart of this iconic race, reminding us of what decades of running can achieve.”

EVENT INFORMATION: Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon

EXCITING NEWS: With a strong focus on enhancing the runner experience in 2026, the following innovative updates have been announced - with more still to come:

·         All Ultra Marathon, Half Marathon and Trail Run entrants will receive an exclusive, event-specific T-shirt

·         included in their entry fee.

·         Every entrant will receive a limited-edition pair of TTOM-branded Versus Quarter Running Socks.

·         In 2026 the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon will offer Blue Number Club (BNC) members an exceptional range of new rewards and benefits designed to elevate their race weekend even further.

·         With Cipla as the official Recovery Partner in 2026, the focus is on significantly elevating the runner experience at every critical touchpoint of the event, allowing the event to provide tangible and professional recovery support where it matters most. From the Cipla Prep Zone at the Expo, to the Cipla On Route Recovery Zone for the Ultra Marathon (Hout Bay), and dedicated Cipla Recovery Zones at the finish for Trail Run, Ultra Marathon and Half Marathon participants, the focus is firmly on supporting runners when they need it most.