In a dramatic escalation of tensions following the 2025 Two Oceans Marathon, chairperson Toni Cavanagh has filed an urgent application in the Gauteng High Court against prominent running blogger Stuart Mann, alleging defamation and reputational harm.
Cavanagh contends that Manns blog, The Running Mann, has published a series of articles containing false and malicious statements that have damaged her personal and professional reputation. She asserts that these publications have disrupted the operations of the Two Oceans Marathon board and adversely affected her health, as first reported by the Daily Maverick .
Mann, known for his critical analyses of South African road races, has accused Cavanagh of misrepresenting her running credentials and embellishing her professional experience. He also labelled the 2025 marathon as the 'worst organised' edition, citing issues such as insufficient medals and inadequate water stations.
Last month, the City of Cape Town officially withdrew its support from the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon , citing a breach of event permit conditions, which adds even more pressure to the once iconic event.
Cavanaghs legal action seeks a court order compelling Mann to retract his statements, delete the contentious articles, and issue a public apology. She also requests an interdict preventing him from making further comments about her.