‘Mr Two Oceans’ Chet Sainsbury dies at 73

TWO OCEANSMarathon legend Michael Sainsbury died at the age of 73 after a long battle with cancer.

He was a well-known race director, serving for almost 30 years before retiring in 2008.

He also completed more than 100 marathons, including more than 30 Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathons.

Sainsbury, lovingly known to his friends and family as Chet, died on Tuesday morning.

He is survived by his wife, Annemarie Sainsbury, and his three sons – Neil, Marc and Paul.

Sainsbury’s friend, Chris Goldschmidt, who worked with him since 1970, said that he started writing a letter to him after the Two Oceans Marathon Board received Sainbury’s letter of resignation.

“Part of his (resignation) letter read: ‘It has been an amazing journey and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you all.’

“That letter of thanks which I had started has now become an obituary,” Goldschmidt said.

He described how Sainsbury fell in love with the Two Oceans Marathon, where he spent decades as its organiser.

“His total involvement as athlete and administrator from 1981 to 2016 – a period of 36 years doing yeoman service with his attention to detail and his passion, commitment, leadership and integrity will not be bettered for a very long time, if ever,” said Goldschmidt.

Sainsbury ran many races including the Puffer, Foot of Africa, Redhill, Winelands, Rhodes, Cape Peninsula and Cape Town marathons as well as being awarded the triple laurel for completing 30 Two Oceans Marathons.

He also received his “green number” at the Comrades Marathon, for completing 10 races.

Goldschmidt said Sainsbury would be remembered as a fair and honest man who was always thorough in whatever he did.