Runners from across the country and beyond are heading to Cape Town this weekend for the Two Oceans Marathon, one of South Africa’s (SA) best-known road races.
More than 30 000 participants are expected to take part, with the 56-kilometre ultra marathon set for Saturday, followed by the 21.1-kilometre half marathon on Sunday.
This year’s race comes with renewed focus on organisation, after last year’s disruptions prompted the appointment of a new board to tighten operations and improve the overall experience for runners.
Among those taking on the ultra is SAFM Producer Marumo Kekana, who will be running his first marathon. He says getting to the start line has taken serious commitment, including weeks of high-mileage training.
“I’ve been doing close to 200 kilometres a week for over two months,” he says. “For me, the goal is simple, just to finish.”
That may sound modest, but the challenge is anything but. Runners have seven hours to complete the 56 kilometres, and even getting into the race requires completing a standard marathon within a strict qualifying time.
–ChannelAfrica–
