The 44th Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon is taking place on Friday 29 – Saturday 30 March 2013. Thousands of dedicated marathon runners will be taking to the streets along Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay, and Constantia Nek, in the early hours of Saturday morning. Whether you’ve already signed up, have a family member competing, or would just like to show your support for the runners, read below for some interesting details about this year’s Two Oceans Marathon, hosted by Old Mutual.

Marathon Details

Thousands of South Africans have been training notoriously to prep themselves for the up-and-coming Ultra Marathon; a 56km route along the Cape peninsula, with awe-inspiring views (should they have time to stop and look). If the current route is deemed unsafe by authorities, runners will follow an alternative route along Ou Kaapse Weg (the route used prior to 2004). The first batch of runners will begin at 6:30am.

The Route (Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Website)

Those who aren’t up for the Ultra Marathon can do the less grueling Half Marathon; a 21.1km race that follows a new route for the first 10km, along blocked-off roads in the Southern Suburbs. The first batch of runners will start at 6am.

Both races will start outside of SA Breweries in Newlands. Parking at UCT and near the start is limited so entrants are encouraged to be dropped off near the starting point for their convenience. Schools near the start will provide parking and the Jammie Shuttle will deliver runners back to their cars, free of charge. The shuttles will leave from 10am onwards from the UCT Indoor Sports Centre.

For those who are not quite up to the fitness levels required of the above races, various other races are scheduled to take place on Friday, 29 March 2013.

Fun Run (Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Website)

Fun Runs:

Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate in the fun runs, taking place at the UCT rugby fields. Bring along family and friends and partake in the 56m Nappy Dash (for kids under 3 years), 300m Toddler’s Trot (for kids between 4 and 6 years), the 2.1km run (for the less fit), the 5.6km run (for the fitter runners), and the 8km run (ideal training for those running the half or full marathon).

Trail Run:

Due to the popularity of trail running over the past few years, a Trail Run has been introduced to the Two Oceans schedule. Competitors will run either a short or long route that travels the lower slopes of Devil’s Peak and leads through the forests above UCT. Both trail runs are open to beginners and experienced trail runners, while the challenging routes offer runners the added advantage of varied terrain with steep climbs and descents. Please note that the minimum age for the 10km trail is 14 years, and the minimum age for the 22km trail is 16 years. Both races will begin at 7am.

Cape Town Stadium by Shaun Wallin (Flickr)

International Friendship Run:

The Friendship Run is a scenic 5km route leading through the city of Cape Town, past some of the city’s famous landmarks such as Cape Town Stadium, Sea Point Promenade, Green Point Park, and Mouille Point Lighthouse. The run encourages competitors from all over the world to get into the marathon spirit and jog with the flags of their various countries.

Exciting Changes for the 2013 Event

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Expo will be hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from this year onwards. The expo, which is the largest of its kind in the Western Cape, attracts over 50 000 visitors every year.

Expo dates are as follows:

  • Wednesday, 27 March 2013, from 10am to 7am
  • Thursday, 28 March 2013, from 10am to 7pm
  • Friday, 29 March 2013, from 9am to 5pm

Water by Larry Kwan (Flickr)

Some TravelGround Tips for Two Oceans Runners:

  • Bring lots of water on the day – either a camel pack or a hip-belt bottle holder.
  • Training on the actual route is always a good idea. Have a look at the maps available on the website to familiarise yourself with the route before the day.
  • Prepare for the weather, e.g: hat and sun lotion, or wind breaker and warm gear.
  • Enjoy the journey and the views!
  • For more information, visit the website.

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We at TravelGround would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone competing in the Two Oceans Marathon the best of luck for the race. We’re looking forward to hearing the feedback!