Two Oceans Cape Town Marathon celebrates 40th anniversary
The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon starts in South Africa’s Cape Town and ends on the University of Cape Town's sports fields on Saturday with the event celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2009. The 56km ultra marathon has indeed come a long way from humble beginnings in 1970 when 26 runners started the the race from Impala Park and 15 finished.
The race website reports that one Dirkie Steyn won the race in 3:55:50 and ran barefoot and this race was originally planned as a "long run" ahead of Comrades more than anything else. On Saturday, 6 793 runners have entered to start the race, 229 runners more than the entry received in 2008.
The race website reports that one Dirkie Steyn won the race in 3:55:50 and ran barefoot and this race was originally planned as a "long run" ahead of Comrades more than anything else. On Saturday, 6 793 runners have entered to start the race, 229 runners more than the entry received in 2008.
In today's times that represents growth and is positive. Of more significance, however, with regards to growth of this event is move upward of the half marathon race. Added to the Two Oceans bouquet in 1998, the half marathon has grown from just over 2 000 to a whopping 13 201 this year. It was initially feared that the introduction of a half marathon would negatively effect ultra marathon entries. This though has not happened and race organisers and sponsors must be happier than ever.
”Coupled with the IPL Cricket beginning on 18 April, the British Lions Rugby Tour kicking off on 30 May and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June, South Africa is certainly the favour of the year as far as top level sporting events are concerned,” notes Robert Wilson. CEO of travelinsouthafrica.net . “Fans would be well advised to sort out their travel and accommodation soon,” he said.
Considering the woes that have hit the Comrades Marathon Association in organising their race this year, first with the Confederations Cup soccer and than IPL cricket getting in the way and undoubtedly affecting entry numbers and even forcing an unprecedented postponing of the closing date for entries, maybe it's time the CMA revisit their half marathon option. Mooted some years back, the idea of staging a Comrades Half Marathon has not really received serious attention from the CMA. The idea of "watering down" their famous race with a 21.1km race just seems too much to handle. But in these changing times, I think, some serious thought should be put into the idea.
Like the Two Oceans, a "Comrades half marathon" could actually spur interest in the real deal and grow numbers. It's probably time the CMA swallow some pride and take the lessons learned by the organisers of the Two Oceans on board.
This article was originally published on page 26 of Pretoria News on April 08, 2009
Like the Two Oceans, a "Comrades half marathon" could actually spur interest in the real deal and grow numbers. It's probably time the CMA swallow some pride and take the lessons learned by the organisers of the Two Oceans on board.
This article was originally published on page 26 of Pretoria News on April 08, 2009
