Few athletes are more closely associated with the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon than Gerda Steyn. The seven-time Two Oceans champion credits the sport with changing almost every aspect of her life, from her career to the friendships she has built along the way.
And she believes a new partnership between Discovery and the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD could encourage even more South Africans to experience those benefits for themselves.
Discovery was recently announced as the event’s official Health, Wellness and Banking Partner ahead of the 2027 race. While the partnership introduces new benefits for qualifying Discovery Bank and Vitality members, Steyn believes its biggest impact could be getting more people to take that first step into the sport.
Gerda Steyn Sees a New Energy Around Two Oceans
The Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon has long been one of South Africa’s most beloved races, attracting runners from around the world to Cape Town’s iconic roads and mountain passes. Steyn believes Discovery’s involvement could inject fresh momentum into an event that already holds a special place in the hearts of runners.
“I definitely think this new partnership between the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon and Discovery will bring a brand new energy to the race,” says Steyn. “Both the Two Oceans and Discovery are already such loved and well-known brands in the running community and in the wider community in South Africa.”
She expects the increased visibility around the event to encourage more runners to finally commit to entering. “There are probably a lot of runners out there who are still thinking about it but can’t make up their minds. This could be the thing that gets them to sign up.”
Why More South Africans May Take On The Challenge
Running participation has exploded across South Africa over the past few years, fuelled by the growth of social running clubs and an increasing appetite for endurance events. The 2027 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD will also welcome significantly larger fields. Organisers have announced that the Half Marathon will grow from 17,000 to 21,000 runners, while the Ultra Marathon will expand from 14,000 to 21,000 participants. For Steyn, that means more opportunities for everyday runners to challenge themselves.
“I definitely think the partnership will bring more South Africans to the start line,” she says. “It will provide more exposure to the larger running community in South Africa.” She hopes the sight of thousands of ordinary runners completing the race will inspire newcomers to believe they can do it too. “There are so many athletes who line up every year and reach the finish line. It takes hard work and dedication, but they can do it.”
More Support For The Journey To Race Day
Part of what makes the new partnership significant is that it goes beyond race-day sponsorship. Discovery’s involvement aims to support runners throughout their training journey, offering qualifying Discovery Bank and Vitality members access to benefits designed to make preparing for the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD more accessible.
For the first time in the race’s history, qualifying Discovery Bank clients will receive a dedicated early-access entry window from 28 to 30 July 2026, allowing them to secure a place before general entries open on 5 August. Given that the race sells out every year, that could be a significant advantage for runners hoping to avoid disappointment.
The partnership also includes rewards designed to support training and recovery. Qualifying Vitality members can access discounts on selected running gear through Vitality Active Gear at Totalsports, reduced gym membership costs at Virgin Active and Planet Fitness, travel savings through Vitality Travel and recovery perks such as Kauai smoothie vouchers.
For runners targeting the 2027 event, those benefits could help remove some of the barriers that often make preparing for a major race feel daunting. The partnership arrives at a time when running is booming across South Africa. Discovery’s long-standing investment in initiatives such as the Vitality Run Series has helped encourage participation by rewarding healthy habits and creating more opportunities for people to get active.
For those who complete the race, the rewards continue after the finish line. Discovery Vitality members can earn Vitality points for completing either the Half Marathon or Ultra Marathon, while Ultra Marathon finishers will also qualify for Diamond Vitality status.
The Life-Changing Power Of Running
Steyn’s enthusiasm for the sport comes from personal experience. Few athletes have dominated the Two Oceans Marathon era quite like she has, but she says the biggest rewards have happened away from the podium. “Running is so much more than just putting one foot in front of the other,” she says. “For me, running has literally changed almost everything in my life. It’s changed my job. It’s changed the way I look at my daily life. It has built me so many wonderful friendships and connections.”
It’s a message that aligns closely with Discovery’s long-standing focus on encouraging healthier lifestyles. Yet Steyn believes the most powerful lesson is that running remains accessible to everyone, regardless of experience or ability. “Sometimes that first decision is difficult and you might think it’s not really for me or you don’t know where to start,” she says. “But it doesn’t matter because running is for everyone and it can make a huge difference in anyone’s life.”
What Keeps Gerda Steyn Smiling On Race Day
Anyone who has watched Steyn race has probably noticed one thing: she almost always seems to be smiling. According to her, the reason is simple. “When I run a race and there are thousands of people along the route cheering me on and motivating me, it just brings so much joy to me,” she says. For Steyn, the magic of running has always been about more than fast times and podium finishes. It’s about community, confidence and discovering what you’re capable of.
With larger race fields, increased support for runners and new benefits designed to reward the journey from training run to finish line, she believes more South Africans could be encouraged to take on the challenge. And if even a few of them discover the same joy that transformed her life, the partnership will have achieved far more than simply filling another start line. It could be the motivation someone needs to become a runner for the very first time.
