Marathon Tours & Travel, a prominent destination travel company with a global network of offices, has been named the exclusive International Travel Partner for the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD — a prestigious South African event often referred to as the world's most beautiful marathon.
Marathon Tours & Travel and Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon have entered into a three-year agreement that will cover the 2027, 2028, and 2029 editions of the event. The partnership encompasses the event's flagship races, including the renowned 56-kilometre ultra marathon and the 21.1-kilometre half marathon, as well as ancillary events like the Night Run, International Friendship Run, and various trail run distances. Additionally, Marathon Tours & Travel becomes the sole official channel through which all international runners and those from the rest of Africa must secure their race entries.
Image Credit: Marathon Tours & Travel
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Destination Race Tourism
- Global runners increasingly pair endurance events with curated travel experiences, creating space for premium packages that blend race entry, lodging, local culture, and logistics into a single offering.
- Exclusive Entry Channels
- Centralized international registration partnerships can reshape event access by giving travel operators a stronger role in managing demand, pricing, and participant experience.
- Multi-event Marathon Weekends
- Ancillary races such as night runs, friendship runs, and trail formats broaden participation beyond elite athletes, opening new revenue streams across fitness, tourism, and entertainment.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Sports Tourism
- Major destination marathons are becoming anchor events for international travel, supporting integrated models that connect athletic participation with hospitality and regional exploration.
- Travel Agencies
- Specialized operators gain differentiation by controlling access to sought-after events while bundling itinerary planning, accommodation, and on-the-ground support for niche audiences.
- Event Management
- Prestigious race organizers can expand global reach through strategic travel partnerships that streamline foreign participation and enhance the overall event ecosystem.
