This year, local runner Bronwynne Wiehl took on the Two Oceans Half Marathon and reached a personal milestone she had worked towards for years.
Read more: RAC prepares runners for Comrades Marathon
Wiehl, a business owner who helps people build their visibility on LinkedIn through storytelling, never thought she would fall in love with running. It all started after years of supporting her husband, an ultra-marathon runner. Eventually, she decided to give it a go herself.
“I started with fun runs,” she said. “After a few 21km races in Johannesburg, I decided to take on the half marathon in Cape Town, especially since my husband was going down to run the ultra.”
This year marked Wiehl’s 10th Two Oceans Half Marathon, a major achievement that earned her the coveted blue number. “2025 was my 10th half marathon,” she said. “Getting my blue number was such a big goal. There was a lot of pressure because everyone knew I was going for it.”
That pressure weighed heavily in the lead-up to the race. “The stress and anxiety were real. I felt like I would fail publicly if I didn’t make it.” But with the help of her coach, Michelle Mee, Wiehl felt physically ready.
Despite months of training, race day was anything but easy. “I started vomiting at 6km,” she recalled. “It was tough. The water stations were too far apart, and the heat made things worse.”
At the 10km mark, she met her husband, coach, and running friends, who gave her a much-needed boost. One runner, Michéle Hicks, stepped in and ran alongside her to the finish. “She’s an angel in disguise,” Wiehl said. “I don’t think I would have finished without her.”
Also read: Soweto Marathon back from the brink of collapse
Wiehl made the cutoff by just seven minutes. “I was exhausted. It felt like I had been through a war. All those feelings from years ago when I missed the cutoff came flooding back. I was just so relieved.”
Leading up to the race, Wiehl trained under Mee and did long runs with Graham Block and the Run Zone group. “It’s a mix of track work and long runs,” she explained. “We also worked on strength and race-day nutrition.”
Her motivation came from her running friends. “Those weekly get-togethers, the long runs, and post-run cappuccinos really help keep you going.”
She credits her husband, her coach, and training partner Bronwyn Williams for their ongoing support. But on race day, it was Hicks who truly made the difference. “She got me over that finish line.”
Crossing the finish line was more than just completing a race; it was the end of a long journey. “I did it. I can do hard things. Sunday was very hard,” Wiehl said. “I also learnt to accept help when it’s offered, and to never underestimate the power of community.”
Wiehl plans to continue running and will head to Durban in June to support her husband and friends at the Comrades Marathon. “Knowing how much that support helps, I want to be there for them,” she said. “But I’ll keep running too. It’s an addiction, and it changes your life.”
Her advice to those thinking of running the Two Oceans: “There are some things the organisers need to improve, like t-shirt sizes and water stations, but the vibe stays with you. It’s an experience like no other.”
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We’d love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
Related article: Soweto Marathon back from the brink of collapse
