Selwyn...how big a deal is the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town???
 

I just realized that Saturday (its already Saturday for you) is the running of the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town. How big a deal is the marathon and how much support does it get from the locals??? Can a runner expect crowd support for the entire 56K length of the race or is support sporadic only at certain points of the race.<BR><BR>I realize that I am not speaking to a marathon runner but you seem to know everything else about Cape Town! :)<BR><BR>I would love to run this race if I ever drop thirty pounds and get more serious about my running. It is a brutal course with a 315 meter elevation gain between Fish Hoek and the top of Groot Oukaapseweg.<BR><BR>It looks like there are only 7,000 entries for the marathon and the marathon is considered an Ultra Marathon meaning that it surpasses the standard 42.2K distance. 7,000 entries would only be considered a midsize marathon in the USA.<BR><BR>I'd be really interested in doing this race in about two years. I just wish it was a little later so I could combine it with a trip to Botswana.<BR><BR>Please let me know how big of a deal this is to Capetonians. Thanks!

Roccco,<BR><BR>Firstly I have some funny news for you and that is that in my day I used to do triathlons and also did half marathons so I do know a little about the Two Oceans as I have had many friends and fellow triathletes who have done the race inclusive of my brother who has run it 3 times.<BR><BR>The Two Oceans IS a HUGE deal in Cape Town. Runners get about 80% supoort along the way and there is a huge crowd at the finish line. We passed the University of Cape Town today where the finish line was and the crowds were truly big by Cape Town standards. 7000 runners for a SA race is very big and the locals DO support the race enthusiastically. The race is an automatic stepping stone to the Comrades Marathon and this is another reason as to why the race is well supported by local runners.<BR><BR>All in all I suggest you shed the weight and come run the race as I am sure that it would be a great event for you.<BR><BR>Selwyn Davidowitz<BR>[email protected]<BR>

Go Selwyn!!! Former Triathlete and Half Marathoner...good for you.<BR><BR>I will make it my personal mission to run Two Oceans by 2005!!! Thanks for the feedback.

Hi again Selwyn! We've now booked our hotels, received our tickets and I have my new passport! Glad to hear we are fellow triathletes. I've run 18 half-marathons, 2 full ones. Did the &quot;Tin Man&quot; triathlon to qualify for Hawaii. (half the distance) Still took about 5 hours! NO MORE! LOL! Will I be safe running around Franschooek and Stellenbosch? Also staying in Constantia for 2 days, any running routes you suggest? Thanks so much!

Hello LLindaC,<BR><BR>Good to hear that there still are some fit people in the world. My days of triathlons etc are over. As a matter of fcat I have also swum to Robben Island from the Cape Town mainland twice however that was many moons ago. (85 and 86) These days, with tour guiding in Cape Town and on the Garden Route being such a joy, I have turned into the non athlete that so many of us seem to become after many years of sport. My knees wont go the distance and with ever increasing weight matters dont become too much easier. Anyway it is good to hear that there still are some folk out their pounding up and down the hills, swimming back and worth in pools while training and pedaling away like mad all around the cities of the world.<BR><BR>In terms of running in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek there is absolutely no problem to do so at any time and on any route in these two towns. Furthermore all runs are great as the scenery everywhere is fabulous. In Franschhoek I simply would start on the main road and head out into the winelands towards Stellenbosch.. You can choose your distance as the road is as long as you want to make it. Early morning runs are fabulous. In Stellenbosch I would take the road that heads out to Somerset West as it also has spectacular scenery along the way. Once again distance setting is no problem as the road is as long a you want to make it.<BR><BR>In Constantia I would only run in daylight hours as the roads can get very busy and running in the dark could become a health hazard with all the cars on the road. Most people in Constantia run in the early morning or at 17h00. The routes are plentiful and it all depends on where you are staying in the area as to which ones you choose. I recommend that you ask your hosts in the Constantia area to recommend a route to you as most people in Cape Town know where the running routes are. If you are close to \the Tokai Forest I would take this route as it is a wonderful run that you can get a half marathon distance out of with ease. <BR><BR>Hope this helps and heres hoping that you have happy running as well as a wonderful visit to my great city and its surrounds.<BR><BR>Selwyn Davidowitz.<BR>[email protected]<BR>

Here's a challenge for you Roccco:<BR>If you can make it an extended trip when you do the Two Oceans, why not try Comrades (16 Jun)? Selwyn mentioned it in his posting, and this is really THE ultimate ultra-marathon: average course distance is 90km. The race is between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, alternating each year between &quot;up&quot; and &quot;down&quot; routes. Comrades has been in operation for nearly a hundred years (Selwyn may know the exact date), and aside from the &quot;professionals&quot; who race to win, the main point is about the camaraderie (sp?) amongst the stragglers. You have 12 hours to finish the route, and each year has it's own stories of courage and determination. I grew up in Westville (one of the suburbs the race goes through) and remember camping out for the day on the pavements to cheer runners along. It's a great vibe!

Traci...unless I am living in South Africa there is no possible way that I could stay in South Africa for 2+ months and do both of these races. Plus, it would take a world class runner to first run a 56K in mid April and then run an 88K in mid June.<BR><BR>A typical marathon is only 42.2K and I have completed three to date and never closer than 3 months within each other.<BR><BR>I don't know if I will ever take on Comrades at 88K but I am firmly committed to the Two Oceans Marathon no later than 2005.

Topping to ask about the route. Is it very hilly? I'm only doing the half marathon.

THE COMRADES MARATHON!!!!

My biggest dream is to finish the comrades. They used to run it on May 31st every year (my birthday), and it used to also be a public holiday. I would be glued in front of the TV for the entire day to watch the race and tears would be streaming down my face when it the cut off time came. I can remember one year the last runner to make it crawled over the finish line.

It truly is a marathon of comrades!

I missed this thread the first time!!! ;)

Hey guys, Marathon coming up in 10 days, would love to know if any Fodorites running?

Wow, a 6 year old post... Rocco lives on!

I have in fact traded in my khaki (safari) pants for running shorts and just completed my 6th marathon of the year (including a 31 mile trail ultra), winning my age group in my marathon this past Saturday.

Two Oceans is a true possibility for next April, but if not Two Oceans, it will be the Kiliminjaro Marathon in mid/late February to once again experience the most amazing wildlife spectacle I have ever encountered, The Great Migration.

Hehe...I did see the one post recently where my name was brought up, as well as my perceived sexiness...well, now, I never thought I was quite sexy enough to get to morbidly obese status and STILL put up nude photos on the internet as my dear Indian female lunch partner in London did! ;) (SCARY!!!)

I should have come back to let you know how the run went. Mohammed, did you run it? For those of you who were wondering, the route is, indeed, mostly uphill.

http://urbanmixplate.honadvblogs.com...eans-marathon/

If you ever plan to run this race, I would recommend you do some long hill work to prep for it. Other than that....it was VERY well organized, and whoever was in charge of the sponsors did a top-notch job. I know I can't stop gushing about that, but I've run quite a few marathons and have picked up many a lame packet. Those South Africans really know how to do it!

I also am very impressed with the fact that they printed our first names (or whatever we wanted) on our running numbers so that people could cheer us on personally along the way. That must have been the biggest morale boost EVER. Ever!!! I sure wish the Honolulu Marathon organizers will take note.

Rocco!!!!! Were you ears burning?! Good to hear you've been running marathons as you always intended to do!

What else is new???

PS The nude photo is still up! What a shocker. But it's not about sexy at all!

Hey, Rocco. Good for you running the marathons. I'm sure that makes you happy since you couldn't quite get there for a couple of years. Are you still traveling to Africa? Any new places on the radar? I still haven't made it to Zambia but I am going to a new destination this year, Tanzania. Zambia is still on the list and I've also added Zimbabwe. I met a guy when I was in the Falklands that lives in Zim, Gavin Blair Safaris, and his enthusiasm and passion for wildlife and photography was very evident. I'm sure a safari with him will be spectacular. Still too little time and too many places. :)

Happy marathoning to you, Rocco!

Ooh no, gasp, shock, here's another! http://www.flickr.com/photos/kavey/2...7608242982291/
(Don't worry, it's work safe and gag safe)

Well, well, well look who got baited into coming out of hiding. Knew you couldn't resist.

Glad to see your still fit.
And don't let anyone fool you - sexy's a state of mind rather than body.
Welcome back, it's been boring as hell around here.