The 2025 Two Oceans Half Marathon was filled with excitement but also serious safety problems due to overcrowding. Runner B. Steyn suffered a bad fall caused by the tight crowd, leading to a fractured shoulder and surgery. This painful experience exposed how dangerous the congestion can be and called on organizers to improve race safety. It reminded everyone that keeping runners safe takes teamwork between the event staff and all participants, especially as the race keeps growing bigger.
The 2025 Two Oceans Half Marathon highlighted serious safety issues due to overcrowding and congestion. Key concerns include:
– Increased risk of collisions and injuries
– Difficulty in managing dense runner groups
– Need for improved crowd control and safety protocols
– Shared responsibility between organizers and runners to ensure a safe race environment.
Each April, Cape Town plays host to one of South Africa’s most beloved running events: the Two Oceans Marathon. Nicknamed the “world’s most beautiful marathon,” this race has, for decades, drawn thousands to its picturesque routes along the tip of the continent. The event is more than a contest of speed or stamina—it is a festival celebrating the resilience of the human body, community spirit, and the raw natural beauty of the peninsula. Runners, from seasoned veterans to debutants, lace up to chase personal milestones, carried along by the energy of the crowd and the wild fynbos-lined roads that skirt the Atlantic coast.
In 2025, over 16,000 athletes gathered under the morning sun, eager to embark on either the half or full marathon. For many, including B. Steyn, the day promised a familiar sense of achievement and camaraderie. Steyn, starting from group J, joined the surging mass of participants, feeling the usual blend of nerves and excitement. The early miles unfolded like a well-rehearsed dance: a symphony of shuffling feet, brightly colored club vests, and a palpable sense of anticipation that binds strangers into a fleeting collective.
Yet, beneath the surface, the event also represents an ongoing balancing act. As the marathon’s popularity grows, so do the logistical and safety challenges. Organizers must contend with swelling participant lists, limited road space, and the ever-present need to ensure that the spirit of inclusivity does not come at the expense of basic safety. The 2025 edition would underscore this tension in an unforgettable way.
At the five-kilometer mark, Steyn’s race took a sudden, painful turn. Amid the tight formation of runners, a push from another participant—a woman whose identity remains unknown—knocked Steyn off balance. The fall that followed was abrupt and unforgiving. Stones embedded themselves into Steyn’s palms; a jolt of pain shot through the left arm, and the ribs ached from the impact. While race environments sometimes mask minor scrapes, this was different—Steyn immediately recognized the severity but refused to surrender to it.
Despite the injury, Steyn pressed on, cradling the damaged arm and willing themselves through the remaining distance. The finish line, crossed at 09:50, provided little respite. The adrenaline that carried Steyn through the ordeal soon faded, revealing the true extent of the trauma. Initial medical advice, received in Hermanus shortly after the race, urged patience. Dr. Pienaar explained that swelling would make immediate x-rays unreliable. Only after returning home to Nelspruit on April 10th did Steyn learn the full scope of the injury: a fractured shoulder, described by Dr. P.C.J. van Rooyen as a “scattered shoulder”—suggesting both the violence of the fall and the complexity of the fracture. Surgery followed on April 14th, and Steyn began the long, uncertain journey of healing, awaiting further medical evaluation in the weeks ahead.
Steyn’s experience is a stark reminder that, while marathons promise personal growth and triumph, they also carry risks—sometimes magnified by the sheer density of participants. What should have been a day of celebration ended with physical pain, medical consultations, and operations—a narrative that, while rare, is not unheard of in the world of mass-participation races.
The physical injuries, though serious, are only part of Steyn’s story. Determined to see their experience prompt change, Steyn reached out to the Two Oceans organizers with a detailed account of the incident. The letter didn’t just recount the accident; it highlighted a deeper issue: the growing congestion on the route. According to Steyn, crowding had reached “significantly higher” levels compared to previous years, making the race not just uncomfortable but hazardous. This message, far from a personal complaint, called for a thorough review of safety protocols and more robust crowd management.
Steyn’s appeal to the organizers included medical documentation, x-ray images, and contact details for the treating doctors. This level of detail transformed the narrative from an isolated mishap to a case study in the urgent need for improved safety measures. Steyn’s correspondence placed responsibility not just on individuals but on the system that allows such incidents to occur. The hope, clearly, was to spark meaningful dialogue and action—ensuring that future events could preserve their celebratory nature without compromising the well-being of participants.
The issues raised are not unique to Cape Town. Major races across the globe, from New York’s iconic marathon to London’s sprawling event, have wrestled with similar challenges. Congestion, bottlenecks, and even accidental injuries remain persistent concerns, particularly as running’s popularity continues to soar. The Two Oceans Marathon, which began in 1973 with just 26 runners, now commands a field over a thousand times larger. This growth, while testament to the event’s success, also strains infrastructure and magnifies risks.
Ensuring safety at mass races demands both innovation and vigilance. Organizers have, over the years, experimented with various strategies: wave starts, where runners leave in staggered groups based on expected finish time; stricter seeding to ensure similar-paced athletes cluster together; and increased deployment of marshals, medics, and support staff. These measures aim to keep runners safe while preserving the electric atmosphere that defines big races.
However, Steyn’s story exposes the limitations of even well-intentioned protocols. When participant numbers swell, enforcement can lapse. Runners may ignore wave assignments, or bottlenecks may form in narrow stretches of the route—such as those between Muizenberg and Constantia—where passing becomes risky. The start is particularly perilous, with runners jostling for space, dodging water sachets, and sometimes colliding as they try to break free from the pack.
Technology offers new avenues for improvement. Mobile apps can provide real-time updates, while effective signage and crowd control barriers can direct the flow more efficiently. Communication—both before and during the event—remains crucial. Participants need clear instructions, marshals require training, and all parties must remain alert to evolving risks on the day.
Responsibility, however, does not rest with organizers alone. Runners form a community bound by unspoken rules of etiquette and empathy. Stories abound of athletes pausing to help fallen competitors, sacrificing personal bests for another’s welfare. This culture of solidarity is essential, especially when races scale up. Every participant shares in the duty to keep the event safe and enjoyable for all.
Steyn’s ordeal, while deeply personal, serves as a wake-up call for the broader running community. It compels both organizers and participants to reexamine the balance between spectacle and safety. The Two Oceans Marathon, with its rich heritage and unrivaled scenery, will continue to attract runners from across the globe. The challenge now lies in adapting to growth—preserving the inclusivity that defines modern running while instituting reforms that protect every individual on the course.
The path forward requires collaboration, innovation, and, above all, vigilance. By sharing experiences like Steyn’s, the running world can learn, adapt, and ensure that the joy of the sport remains undiminished by preventable harm. As the race continues to evolve, it must strive not only to celebrate endurance but also to embody the highest standards of care and community for all who take part.
The 2025 event faced significant safety challenges primarily due to overcrowding and congestion along the route. This led to increased risks of collisions, difficulty managing dense groups of runners, and bottlenecks, especially in narrow sections. The incident involving runner B. Steyn, who suffered a serious fall resulting in a fractured shoulder, highlighted the urgent need for better crowd control, improved safety protocols, and more effective coordination between organizers and participants.
At the five-kilometer mark, Steyn was knocked off balance by a push from another participant amid the tight crowd. The fall caused severe injuries including embedded stones in the palms, rib pain, and ultimately a fractured shoulder requiring surgery. Despite the injury, Steyn finished the race but later sought medical attention where the full extent of the damage was diagnosed. Steyn’s experience illustrates how dangerous overcrowding can become in mass participation races.
Organizers have implemented several strategies to enhance safety, such as:
– Wave starts to stagger runners based on expected pace
– Seeding runners to group similar speeds together
– Increased presence of marshals, medical staff, and support personnel
– Use of crowd control barriers and improved signage
– Pre-race and on-course communication via apps and announcements
Despite these measures, the 2025 race showed that challenges remain, especially when participant numbers grow significantly.
Runners share responsibility for race safety by respecting wave start assignments, adhering to race etiquette, and staying alert to their surroundings. The running community values empathy and solidarity, demonstrated by athletes helping fallen competitors and avoiding reckless behavior. By cooperating with organizers’ guidelines and maintaining mutual respect, runners help reduce risks and create a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone.
The incident underscores the importance of balancing race growth with safety infrastructure. Other large races face similar issues with congestion and injuries and can learn from the Two Oceans experience by:
– Continuously reviewing and updating safety protocols
– Leveraging technology for real-time crowd management
– Enhancing communication before and during the race
– Promoting a culture of responsibility among runners
This collaborative approach helps preserve the festive spirit without compromising participant well-being.
Following Steyn’s incident and subsequent feedback, organizers are expected to conduct a thorough safety review. Potential improvements may include:
– More stringent enforcement of wave starts and seeding
– Expanding marshal and medical coverage, especially in known bottleneck areas
– Implementing advanced crowd flow technologies and barriers
– Increasing pre-race education on safety and etiquette for participants
The goal is to sustain the iconic event’s inclusivity and excitement while prioritizing the health and safety of all runners.
If you have further questions about race safety or participation, feel free to reach out to the Two Oceans Marathon organizing committee or visit their official website for updates.
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