The Two Oceans Marathon is a 56 kilometres (35 mi) ultramarathon and 21 kilometres (13 mi) half-marathon held annually in Cape Town, South Africa on the Saturday(Ultra) and Sunday(Half) the weekend after Easter weekend.(previously was on Easter weekend)

Two Oceans Marathon
Finish of the Two Oceans Marathon at the University of Cape Town
DateEaster weekend
LocationCape Town, South Africa
Event typeRoad
DistanceUltramarathon (56 km)
Course records
  •  Men: 3:03:44 (1988)
      Thompson Magawana
  •  Women: 3:29:06 (2023)
      Gerda Steyn
Official sitewww.twooceansmarathon.org.za

Known globally as "the world's most beautiful marathon",[1] the race is run against a backdrop of spectacular scenery through the Cape Peninsula.

Both races start in Newlands. The Ultra Marathon follows a more or less circular route through Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, over Chapman's Peak, through Hout Bay and Constantia Nek, and eventually finishes at the University of Cape Town campus. On occasions when Chapman's Peak Drive has been closed due to construction or rock falls, the Ultra Marathon has followed an alternative route over Ou Kaapse Weg.

The Half Marathon takes runners along Edinburgh Drive (the M3 highway), before turning into forest roads past Kirstenbosch (where runners meet up with Ultra Marathon participants) and finishing at the University of Cape Town campus.

Since its inaugural edition in 1970, the event has grown. Selling out every year, the Half Marathon sees some 16,000 participants (making it the biggest half marathon in South Africa), while 11,000 athletes tackle the 56 km Ultra Marathon.

In addition to the main events, other events take place the day before (Good Friday):

  • Approximately 6 000 runners - including toddlers and young children with their families - take part in various fun runs
  • Approximately 1 000 trail runners traverse the trails of the Table Mountain National Park
  • International participants get to run a scenic 5 km route along the Sea Point promenade as part of the International Friendship Run

The 2020 and 2021 editions of the race were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][3]

Winners edit

Halfmarathon edit

Key:   Course record

Year Men's winner Time (h:m:s) Women's winner Time (h:m:s)
2023   Mbuleli Mthanga (RSA) 01:03:58   Emma Pallant (GBR) 01:14:17
2022   Moses Tarakinyu (ZIM) 01:03:31   Fortunate Chidzivo (ZIM) 01:14:49
cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic[2][3]
2019[10]   Elroy Gelant (RSA) 1:03:17   Helalia Johannes (NAM) 1:10:26
2018[11]   David Manja (RSA) 1:04:08   Nolene Conrad (RSA) 1:16:18
2017   Namakoe Nkhasi[6] (LES) 1:03:15   Irvette van Zyl[6] (RSA) 1:13:53
2016   Namakoe Nkhasi (LES) 1:03:38   Irvette van Zyl (RSA) 1:13:14
2015   Stephen Mokoka (RSA) 1:04:00   Lebogang Phalula (RSA) 1:14:48
2014   Stephen Mokoka (RSA) 1:04:16   Diana Lebo Phalula (RSA) 1:14:00
2013   Stephen Mokoka (RSA) 1:03:36   Meseret Mengistu (ETH) 1:12:43
2012   Xolisa Tyali (RSA) 1:04:52   René Kalmer (RSA) 1:15:02
2011   Lusapho April (RSA) 1:03:59   Helalia Johannes (NAM) 1:11:57
2010   Lusapho April (RSA) 1:03:54   René Kalmer (RSA) 1:12:39
2009   Stephen Mokoka (RSA) 1:03:42   Helalia Johannes (NAM) 1:13:34
2008   George Majaji (ZIM) 1:03:31   Mamorallo Tjoka (LES) 1:15:04
2007   Willy Kariuku Mwangi (KEN) 1:03:05   Helalia Johannes (NAM) 1:13:16
2006   Cuthbert Nyasango (ZIM) 1:02:54   Helalia Johannes (NAM) 1:13:35
2005   Hendrick Ramaala (RSA) 1:03:26   Mamorallo Tjoka (LES) 1:15:58
2004   Elijah Mutandiro (RSA) 1:04:02   Ronel Thomas (RSA) 1:16:46
2003   Luwis Masunda (ZIM) 1:03:46   Charné Rademeyer (RSA) 1:15:48
2002   Josia Thugwane (RSA) 1:04:15   Charné Rademeyer (RSA) 1:15:27
2001   Zacharia Mpolokeng (RSA) 1:05:53   Charné Rademeyer (RSA) 1:17:37
2000   Elijah Mutandiro (ZIM) 1:05:31   Kirsty Weir (RSA) 1:18:24
1999   Elijah Mutandiro (ZIM) 1:04:35   Theresa du Toit (RSA) 1:19:53
1998   Makhosonke Fika (RSA) 1:05:35   Gwen Griffiths-van Lingen (RSA) 1:17:01

References edit

  1. ^ Hamlett, Alison (2008-08-20). 20 Races to do before you die. Runner's World. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
  2. ^ a b c d "2020 Two Oceans Marathon cancelled amid COVID-19 Pandemic".
  3. ^ a b c d "Two Oceans Marathon 2021 − Event Update - Two Oceans Marathon". www.twooceansmarathon.org.za. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  4. ^ a b Botton, Wesley (13 April 2024). "Gerda Steyn shatters record to win fifth Two Oceans title". The Citizen. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Givemore Mudzinganyama storms to victory in the men's section of the Two Oceans marathon". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d "Gongqa, Damantsevich win Two Oceans Marathon titles".
  7. ^ "Gerda Steyn smashes her own Two Oceans record". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  8. ^ Schenk, Heinz. "Sensational Gerda Steyn obliterates course record to claim third Two Oceans title". Sport. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Two Oceans winner loses title". 5 December 2013.
  10. ^ "2019 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (2019) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  11. ^ "2018 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (2018) Results". SportSplits. Retrieved 22 April 2022.

External links edit