Posted on Oct 22, 2014 under Running, Two Oceans Marathon |
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
Posted on Sep 06, 2011 under Running |
The deadline for online entries for the Cape Town Marathon 2011 is fast approaching with Monday September 12 the cut-off date for pre-entries to the 42.2km and 10km races.
The Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 25 September, has a flat and fast 42.2km route which starts in Adderley Street at 06h30 and takes runners out to Rondebosch before looping back to the new Green Point Urban Park via Salt River, the Foreshore and the Sea Point promenade – showcasing Table Mountain, the ocean and many of the major attractions Cape Town has to offer.
The race has an extended 8-hour cut off time to give novice runners the opportunity to complete their first 42.2km race. There is also a 10km race which starts in Adderley Street at 06h30 and has a two hour cut-off, so walkers will have ample time to earn their medal.
The marathon is expected to attract quality runners as it is the only South African Olympic qualifier for London 2012. It is also a qualifier for the 2012 Comrades and Two Oceans marathons.
The prize money for the marathon winner is R25 000 followed by R15 000 for second and R12 500 for third place. In the 10km race the winner will receive R12 500 with the second runner winning R7 500 and third place R6250.
Besides the Marathon and 10km races on Sunday 25 September, the public can enter a 5 x 4.2km relay race aimed at clubs, companies and schools. The relay starts at the Green Point Urban Park at 14h30 on Heritage Day 24 September 2011. There is also a 5km fun run from 16h30 at the Urban Park on Heritage Day.
“An event such as the Cape Town Marathon truly highlights the diversity and beauty of our city and its surrounds. We are looking forward to seeing this race go from strength to strength, not only as a race which attracts the world’s best, but also as an event that involves the people of Cape Town,” says Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana, the managing director of the Cape Town Partnership.
“As Cape Town becomes increasingly pedestrianised and more accessible, the Cape Town Marathon reminds us that the best experience of our city can often be had on foot. We urge our citizens to show their support and encouragement for this year’s race.”
Runners can get registration details at the Green Point Urban Park tea room on Friday 23 September until 6pm for the Marathon and on Saturday 24 September for the 10km.
Runners should visit www.wpa.org.za for online entries, which close on Monday September 12.
Posted on Feb 23, 2011 under Peninsula Marathon |

While my original plan was to premiere with my first half-marathon in April 2011 for Two Oceans Marathon 2011 a spontaneous decision made me enter and run the Peninsula Marathon in Cape Town on February 20th. 9 days prior to race I felt fit enough for the 21km race, even though I’ve never done more than 16 km before, and I was bold enough to signed up for start number 4227.
My Problems only began thursday before the race sunday, when my new Asics running shoes I had just bought in December were stolen and I decided to go for a last pre-race 13km run in my 5 year old Nikes. Just after the race I realised that my left Calf did hurt and it didn’t got much better until Saturday evening. I knew I couldn’t do the race in my old shoes, so I went to buy new running shoes and got new Asics and some great advice at The Athletes Foot at V&A Waterfront. The very helpful advice I got from Athletes Foot owner Grant Bryant was that I should be using my old inner soles in the brand new running shoes.
Race day:
With this in mind I arrived in Bergvliet on time for the 7am race start – see photo above for my impression, standing at the end of the start block. The start went well and after few minutes everybody was able to run at his or her own pace without accidentally running into others. The ache from tension in my leg didn’t really got worse during the race and I only felt weak towards the 16k mark but had no serious struggle to finish the race. My only serious issue was Runkeeper on my Android phone that crashed after 8 km just to restart with a new session that I can’t merge together. This is the reason why you can only see the last 13 km on this map.

The race is seriously beautiful and despite the strong South-Easter wind I fully enjoyed the run past Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Simonstown. Without my Runkeeper tracking my run I couldn’t check for time and was really surprised to end 1:58:20 and was #346 out of the 1265 half-marathon runners when the Peninsula Marathon results were published!
The Atmosphere at the finish was really pleasant, as drinks were available, 15-minute massages could be bought for a mere 50 Rand and I met four friends from the The Drinking Club with a Running Problem who just finished the full marathon in 4:29 running together for the whole race! After some glasses of Moreson bubbly we were strong enough to move to a very late breakfast at Boulders Beach restaurant – aaaah – I love these beautiful days in Cape Town!

Randolf Jorberg right after finishing the Peninsula Marathon
Posted on Oct 22, 2010 under Two Oceans Marathon |
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.
Posted on Oct 14, 2010 under Two Oceans Marathon |

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.”
Posted on Jan 11, 2004 under Running |
Sunday 11th January 2004 – Another year – another Dischem 21
This one didn’t really go plan – although after the festive season and a lay-off from races since March 2003, I shouldn’t have expected anything less.
The first 10km’s were a nightmare. It was one of those days when everything was wrong. The shoes were too tight, my calf was cramping, the right hamstring started up once again, my shin was going into some form of spasm etc etc.
I was battling to keep a 7 m/km pace and it wasn’t looking any better, THEN I had a Enervit Sports Gel at 9km’s or 1 hour.
1. The easiest gel to open,
2. The easiest gel to get all the liquid out
3. The easiest gel to drink – no chewing or water required
It took around 5 minutes for the gel to take effect but when it did:
I ran a 5:13km, then 5:20 etc. Never have a taken any supplement that has had such an effect on my performance.
I finished in 2h:14m when I thought that a 2h40m was on the cards.
One thing, the start again !! The gun went off 2 minutes early and the start was a nightmare again on the narrow road – it just cannot handle 4,500 runners. As for the walkers, which have a place on the road, but create havoc when they start with the front pack.
See you again next year …
Posted on Jan 12, 2003 under Running |
Sunday 12th January 2003
Dischem & Bedfordview Athletic Club have done it again.
The field this year seemed more than in previous years but must have been the same due to the 4,000 runner cut-off. In an almost perfect race, the only problem, and I had to look for one, was the narrow start. Starting in the middle of the pack means a 8 minute first kilometer. So if you are going for a PB, start as close to the front as possible. A help would be if the walkers start further back in the pack – with all due respect to the walkers as they are most welcome on race day.
The great thing about the race is the lack of hills. There are slight gradients in the first 10k’s but nothing to really push the heart rate up. The finish is fast and work the quads quite hard.
As for the characters on the road. Everyone seems to know Spiro or “Spi”. This character can run and run pulling all those having a quiet stroll into a steady sub 6m jog. You get the Sports Connection “boys”, the odd Chappie wrapper and the worn-out Germiston Callies ouman, amongst others
My daughter thought Santa had visited again when I arrived home with the goodie bag. A great t-shirt, a great race and well organized event. A definite top 10 for the year.
Time: 2h12m