Two Oceans Ultra Marathon entries 2015

Online entries for the 2015 Two Oceans Ultra Marathon open at 10am on Wednesday, 29 October 2014. The 46th Ultra Marathon will take place on Easter Saturday, 4 April 2015, and the entry limit of 11 000 runners is once again expected to be reached. Entries for the popular Two Oceans Half Marathon are only opening from the 13 November or 19 November 2014 for general entries.

To qualify for participation in the Ultra Marathon, runners must have completed at least one full marathon (42.2km) after 1 July 2014 in under five hours. However, runners do not have to pre-qualify to enter and can submit their qualifying times at a later stage.

South African Ultra Marathon entrants are also required to belong to a registered running club and have a valid running licence. No temporary licences will be issued to Ultra Marathon runners.

All registration is happening online at www.twooceansmarathon.org.za and it’s suggested to pre-fill your application in advance:

Old Mutual’s R1 million challenge

In addition to the prize money that can be won by the Ultra Marathon winners, title sponsor Old Mutual has once again issued its R1 million challenge to the winning male and female runner who respectively breaks the record for the 56km Ultra Marathon in 2015.

The men’s record of 3:03:44 was set in 1988 by road running legend Thompson Magawana, while Frith van der Merwe set the women’s record a year later in 1989 when she ran 3:30:36.

The closest any runner has come since then is Zimbabwean Marko Mambo, who ran 3:05:39 in 2005, and who has won the race three times. Russian Olesya Nurgalieva ran the second fastest women’s time in 2008 when she crossed the finish line in 3:34:53.

This will be the 16th year that Old Mutual sponsors this prestigious road race.

Online queueing system introduced for Half Marathon entries

In an effort to alleviate pressure on the online entry system, and to give runners a fair chance to enter, the organisers are introducing an online queueing system as already used by the likes of Computicket and the Cape Town Cycle Tour. The Half Marathon is limited to 16 000 entries.

Blue and Light Blue Number holders may enter from 10am on 5 November 2014 (by invitation only). Runners with valid SA running club licences may enter from 10am on 13 November 2014. General entries will open at 10am on 19 November 2014.

Entries will be limited during these three entry waves to ensure that everyone gets a fair chance to secure their spot at the start line. Entries into the popular Trail Runs (10km & 22km) will open at 10am on 4 December 2014. Trail entries are limited and sold out within minutes in 2013, and it is expected to happen again this year. Entries to the Fun Runs that take place on Friday, 3 April 2014, will open on 24 November 2014 and close on 22 March 2015.

Runners can also join the online conversation using the #OMTOM2015 hashtag

Two Oceans Ultra Marathon results 2011

The 2011 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon was won by George Ntshiliza from the Eastern Cape, who completed the 56km race in 03:08. Second place went to Motlhokoa Nkabutlane (Lesotho), while Tsokang Maine (Lesotho) finished third to complete the world’s most beautiful marathon podium.

The women’s event was won by Oleysa Nurgalieva (Russia), with her twin sister Elena, in second place and Mamorollo Tjoka (Lesotho) claiming third prize.

Mens Ultra Marathon results (56 km)

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Womens Ultra Marathon results (56 km)

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Go for your Run! Two Oceans Marathon 2011 is on!

Hopefully you’ve done all your training and are ready to do your best – Two Oceans Marathon in on! The excitement is there and the weather forecast for Cape Town looks like we’ll have perfect running weather with sunny and mild temperatures between 13-24 °C.

The expo hall where you went for registration was busy the last two days:

Have you picked up your Goodie bag? Did you find the same stuff as I did?

I wish all runners all the best!

Two Oceans Marathon 2011 route and facts!

With the Two Oceans Marathon Entry date approaching soon, we want to give you an overview for the highlight of the 2011 Marathon season in Africa. We already wrote about the Two Oceans Marathon Entry requirements and limitations in a previous post.

The Two Oceans Marathon Route:

The World’s Most Beautiful Marathon: This year’s route (the PURPLE line on the map) will be the same as the one used since 2004. Runners will veer off left onto Noordhoek Road (Chapman’s Peak Drive) at the foot of Ou Kaapse Weg after passing through Sun Valley, and then head through Noordhoek and Hout Bay to Constantia Nek.

Two Oceans Marathon Route Map

• Start point : Main Road in Newlands.
• Quarter way mark (14 km): In Lakeside, just past the Sandvlei turnoff.
• Halfway mark (28 km): On Noordhoek Road before Chapman’s Peak
• Marathon mark (42.195 km): Near the cemetery on Constantia Nek.

It is the responsibility of each runner to know the route of their race. Traffic Police and race marshals will take all reasonable steps to ensure runners safety, however runners are responsible for their well being at all times.

56 km: The route remains the same as last year. From the start in Newlands along the Main Road to Fish Hoek, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Constantia Nek, Rhodes Drive, and Union Avenue to the finish at UCT. An IAAF graded course measurer has certified the route. A sign will mark every kilometer of the route. The course is 56 km (35 miles).

Route Profile

The Ultra Marathon Route is actually quite flat for the first 28 kilometers, and then starts to climb quickly as one approaches the start of Chapman’s Peak. From Hout Bay, the route climbs again to the highest point at Constantia Nek. Thereafter the route is undulating until the finish at UCT.

Two Oceans Marathon route profile (click on image to enlarge)

Interactive Map

Click here for our interactive map (by MapIT) indicating the route, kilometre markers, refreshment stations and medical points.

Virtual Map

Click here to view the virtual route map as was set up by Bertus van Elburg. One can zoom in and out and see the route in comparison with other landmarks.

Entries for Two Oceans Marathon 2011 open on November 1st!

Update: Entry totals on Friday 19 November 2010:
Ultra Marathon 496
Half Marathon 3732

The race is on. The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, which takes place on Saturday 23 April 2011 is opening it’s registration soon!

Entries open on Monday 1 November and runners can enter online at twooceansmarathon.co.za.  Those interested in running the ultra are encouraged to get their qualifying marathon done as soon as they can and to submit their entry.  The qualifying window is 1 September 2010 to 16 March 2011 for the ultra event.

Entries close on 16 March 2011 or when the 11 000 entry cut off for each distance is reached.  Last year over 3 000 participants in the half marathon were turned away and the ultra had just over 9 000 runners.  A limited number of entry forms will be printed and available from the end of November at leading sports shops or on request from the race office.

In 2010 over 27 000 participants took part in the various distances including the fun runs, making it the biggest running event in Africa. The flagship race, the ultra marathon, attracted 9000 competitors, while the half marathon saw 11700 runners take part – a limited field in the interests of runner safety as per advice from Cape Town City’s Disaster Management team, but it still remained the biggest half marathon in Africa. Entries had to close off four weeks prior to the scheduled closing date, which meant that Two Oceans Marathon turned away about 3 000 disappointed runners. Remember to enter early, particularly for the half marathon, to avoid missing out.

The 2011 event will also be introducing a new timing system, the RaceTec System (previously known as Winning Time), which will be used for the next five years.  This is the same timing system used by the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour and offers state of the art technology that will make the processing of results and times far easier and more user-friendly.

Those runners who already have one of these chips can use it for Two Oceans, while those that do not have chips will need to purchase one at a cost of R80.  The chips are usually R110 but the race office will subsidise them by R30.  This system is used extensively at various other races around the country, including the 94.7 Cycle Challenge in Johannesburg.

Two Oceans Marathon increases prize money by 47%

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, which takes place on Saturday 23 April 2011, has increased its prize money for next year’s event by 47% and will see the top male and female runners in the 56km ultra event each take home R250 000 for their efforts.

The new prize money schedule makes it one of the highest paying ultra events in the country and offers top runners an incentive to focus on winning the event in 2011.  General manager Rowyn James said, “We want to offer the top athletes an added incentive to focus on running and winning the ultra next year, as well as encouraging them to have a serious attempt at the respective course records, which were set over 20 years ago.”

James added that while the prize money has always been considered generous, they wanted to take it to the next level in order to attract some of road running’s top names.  The second and third place male and female runners will each receive R125 000 and R65 000 respectively.  Total prize money on offer for the event is just under R1.5-million.  Last year’s first prizewinners received R150 000, second place R75 000 and third R50 000.

Another exciting change for the event is the new marketing campaign “This is your moMEnt”, with the focus being on the ‘ME’ in ‘moment’.  The campaign centres solely on the runners, as they are responsible for the event’s growth and success since it started 42 years ago.

“Without the runners’ hard work and dedication this event would not have got to where it is today and this campaign is a tribute to this commitment and effort,” said marketing manager Stefanie Schultzen.

The campaign represents the significance of this prestigious race, which is an impressive, professional event that attracts over 27 000 participants from all over the world, as well as a running institution and real pacesetter on the road running calendar.  It focuses on the runners themselves and the amazing stories they have to tell.

Said Joy Khaole, head of Group Sponsorship for title sponsor Old Mutual, “We are thrilled with the new marketing campaign that celebrates the runners as it complements our brand message ‘do great things’.  Through this special event we provide runners with the platform to push beyond their boundaries.”

Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon 2010

On the Saturday of the Easter Weekend, which this year is 3rd April 2010, it’s time for Cape Town’s biggest marathon – the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon 2010.

The ultra marathon and half marathon registration takes place in Cape Town’s Good Hope Centre at the the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Expo.

The expo focuses on everything there is to know about running (or road running specifically) from shoes, clothes heart rate monitors, vitamins, nutrients, fitness aids and energy boosters to name but a few.

It is essential for runners to go to the expo to collect their race numbers and goody bags. They must also remember to bring their race acknowledgement card, ID and champion chip (if they have one) to the registration to avoid long lines.

SA’s second ultra-popular ultra-marathon is the 56-kilometre Two Oceans Marathon. Its greatest drawcard is an extremely picturesque route that winds along the coastline surrounding Cape Town. The Two Oceans, like the Comrades, also manages to pull top professionals from overseas.

Zimbabwean men have enjoyed good success in recent years, being the dominant runners in the event since 2001, including a Marco Mambo being crowned champion in 2004, 2005, and 2008.

The women’s race has succeeded in drawing many of the top female athletes preparing for the Comrades Marathon, which takes place just over a month after the Two Oceans, and as a result has produced winners who have gone on to Comrades’ victory. They include Elena Nurgalieva and Tatyana Zhirkova.

For more information on the main marathons, read the event listing for the 2009 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon at our partner site capetownmagazine.com.

Two Oceans Marathon 2009 results

Foreigners once again dominated the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on Saturday, with John Wachira of Kenya and Elena Nurgalieva of Russia claiming the men’s and women’s wins respectively in the 56-kilometre ultra-marathon.

Zimbabwe’s Marco Mambo, after wins in 2004, 2005, and 2008, was the man to watch, with his previous record of success. His win in 2008 was the fourth in five years for Zimbabweans; Moses Njodzi won in 2006, while Bethuel Netshifhefhe won for South Africa in 2007.

Like a wise veteran

Wachira, meanwhile, was contesting the Two Oceans Marathon for the first time, but the man from the famed Rift Valley, ran the race like a wise veteran, timing his run perfectly to catch Mambo near the end and pass him with the finish in sight.

He crossed the finishing line in three hours, 10 minutes and six seconds, with Mambo in second place 46 seconds behind him. Third place went to Mpesela Ntlotsoeu. Butiki Jantjies, in sixth, led the South African challenge.

The Nurgalieva twins were the hot favourites to win the women’s race. Elena had previously won it twice, in 2004 and 2005, while Olesya’s win in 2008 was in the second fastest time ever recorded in the race, 3:34:53, trailing only the record set by Frith van der Merwe in 1989 of 3:30:36.

Comfortable and enjoyable

Running together, the sisters ran what they described as their most comfortable and enjoyable Two Oceans ever.

They finished in 3:40:43, their slowest time yet in the event, but enough for a huge margin of 18 minutes over third placed Samukeliso Moyo of Zimbabwe.

Maybe they were saving something for the Comrades Marathon, which has been moved forward this year so as not to clash with the Fifa Confederations Cup. It takes place on 24 May.

While the Nurgalieva twins opted to contest the Two Oceans Marathons, a number of other leading runners chose to skip it because of the limited five-week break between the country’s two leading ultra-marathons.

SA’s best

South Africa’s best performer was Farwa Mentoor, who claimed fourth place in 15 seconds less than four hours, while Adinda Kruger ended fifth in 4:03:36.

Mentoor has been South Africa’s most consistent ultra-marathon performer for many years now. Before Riana van Niekerk finished sixth in the 2008 Comrades Marathon, two places ahead of her, Mentoor had been South Africa’s leading runner for six consecutive years.

Stephen Mokoka was the sole South African to be crowned champion. He captured line honours in the men’s half-marathon, finishing eight seconds ahead of runner-up Wirimai Juwawo in 63:42. Lusapho April was third in 63:55.

Namibia’s Helaria Johannes won the women’s half-marathon in 73:34. Over two minutes behind her, Mamarolla Tjoka claimed second place, with Tabitha Tsatsa in third. Annerien van Schalkwyk, in fourth, was the leading South African.

RESULTS

MEN 56-KILOMETRE ULTRA

1. John Wachira 3:10:06, 2. Marco Mambo 3:10:52, 3. Mpesela Ntlotsoeu 3:11:56, 4. Stephen Muzhingi 3:12:05, 5. Henry Moyo 3:12:23, 6. Butiki Jantjies 3:13:53, 7. Modibe Mamabolo 3:14:43, 8. Lephetesang Adora 3:15:48, 9. Melikhaya Sithuba 3:16:40, 10. Sipho Ncube 3:17:11

WOMEN 56-KILOMETRE ULTRA

1. Elena Nurgalieva 3:40:43, 2. Olesya Nurgalieva 3:40:43, 3. Samukeliso Moyo 3:58:47, 4. Farwa Mentoor 3:59:45, 5. Adinda Kruger 4:03:36, 6. Suzette Botha 4:05:28, 7. Joanna Thomas 4:08:41, 8. Jane Madau 4:10:06, 9. Ursula Frans 4:10:35, 10. Maya Lawrie 4:13:12

MEN HALF-MARATHON

1. Stephen Mokoka 63:42, 2. Wirimai Juwawo 63:50, 3. Lusapho April 63:55, 4. Enos Matalane 64:14, 5. Elmore Sibanda 65:02, 6. Tshamano Setone 65:08, 7. Lindikhaya Mthangayi 65:15, 8. Boy Soke 65:18, 9. Samuel Pazanga 65:24, 10. Zolani Ntongana 65:27

WOMEN HALF-MARATHON

1. Helaria Johannes 73:34, 2. Mamarolla Tjoka 75:43, 3. Tabitha Tsatsa 77:10, 4. Annerien van Schalkwyk 77:23, 5. Kim Laxton 78:43, 6. Jenna Chellenor 79:22, 7. Ronel Thomas 80:08, 8. Ntombesintu Ntshiliza 80:24, 9. Alae Brand 80:24, 10. Janene Carey 80:41

Two Oceans Marathon Auctions Entries for charity

As part of their fundraising efforts, the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon will be auctioning half marathon entries and ultra entries, complete with A seedings, to participants with the highest bids.

There are 10 half marathon and 5 ultra marathon entries up for grabs and bidding will open at R750 on Friday, March 6 at 10h00, two days after entries close, providing those participants who missed the entry deadline with a chance to get an entry. Winning bids will also get a PUMA hamper consisting of running shoes and T-shirt. All funds raised will go towards helping the event’s official charity NOAH (Nurturing Orphans of AIDS for Humanity).

According to Frank Brooks, sponsorship manager for Old Mutual: “We were looking for a novel way to raise money for the event’s official charity NOAH. The auction provides a select few people with a chance to start up front with the top runners and support a worthy cause at the same time.”

A section 21 company, NOAH started in 2000 in response to the realisation that South Africa faced a future filled with a staggering number of orphaned children from the impact of AIDS.  It is estimated that there are more than 1.7 million orphaned and vulnerable children and this is expected to reach 2.5 million by 2015 because of HIV/AIDS.

Last year the event raised R212 596 for NOAH and these funds were used to establish and support the many Arks that the charity has developed to meet the needs of those orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

This auction is open to all those participants who have already entered and those who missed the entry deadline and are looking for an entry. Those participants who have already entered will have their current seeding upgraded to an A seeding. The bidding opens at R750 at www.oldmutual.co.za/twooceansmarathon and will close on Monday, March 9 at 17h00. Winners will be announced on a daily basis following the previous day’s auction. Winners will be announced on the website.

Two Oceans Marathon will go over Chapman’s Peak!

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon race office has received confirmation from the Western Cape Provincial Government that Chapman’s Peak will be open for the race on Saturday, April 11. 2009. The decision was made late last week following a meeting between race organisers and provincial government.

Said race director Rowyn James:  “This certainly is welcome news for us and the City of Cape Town as the traditional route over the scenic drive is a major attraction for upcountry and international visitors, as well as the locals and means that the event has potential to attract record fields across all the distances.”

Entries are already up, particularly for the half marathon, which has 65 more entrants compared to last year at the same time and the race office is expecting to reach the maximum 11 000 entry mark before the closing date of March 4.  Ultra entries traditionally come in at a slower rate as many of the runners still need to run their qualifying events during February and early March.

This year sees the event celebrate its 40th birthday as well as 10 years with Old Mutual as the title sponsor.  Over the years, this truly Capetonian event has earned the reputation as the world’s most beautiful marathon.  The 26 runners who lined up to face the challenge back in 1970 probably had no idea they were starting something that has become a national institution and a favourite with local, upcountry, and international athletes.

The event attracts in the region of 26 000 participants across the ultra, half marathon and the fun runs, with 60 of the field coming from outside the Western Cape or overseas. It provides participants with a mixture of breathtaking scenery, a gruelling test of fitness for both the elite and recreational runner, and an unrivalled race organisation and atmosphere.