Lowvelders shine at Two Oceans

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon is described as the most beautiful marathon in the world. That is debatable. Although we cannot run along an ocean here in the Lowveld, our races have breathtaking scenery that could easily top or at least compare with that of the Two Oceans.

However, runners would have to search far and wide for a race of which the vibe and camaraderie would surpass that experienced at Two Oceans. What other event would see the Kaapse Klopse perform along the route?

Sure, residents of KwaZulu-Natal also come out of their homes to cheer participants of the Comrades Marathon and offer words of encouragement, but Capetonians take supporting runners to a whole new level. They beat on drums, offer dates and other sweet treats and play music over their cars’ sound systems as loud as the speakers will allow – anything and everything to help runners find that inner mojo which will take them over Southern Cross Drive – a gruelling uphill of 2,5 kilometres.

On Friday afternoon prospective participants became nervous as strong winds started to blow. Mist settled over Table Mountain and the harbour. It came pouring down with rain that night and the weather forecast predicted that conditions would not change in time for the race.

But, come rain or shine, we would run. Thousands of runners made their way to the starting point outside SA Breweries in Main Road early on Saturday – 16 000 for the half-marathon of 21,1 kilometres (measured 21,4 kilometres on Endomondo) and 11 000 for the ultramarathon of 56 kilometres.

Many of them were covered in black refuse bags to keep dry for as long as possible. When the first group of half-marathon participants sped off at 05:50, only light drizzle fell. And the wind had calmed down. Apart from a wet and slippery road, conditions were perfect.

Two Oceans experts warn that it easily takes up to 11 minutes to complete the first kilometre as you have to make your way through the thousands of competitors. Fortunately this was not the case with the half-marathon as the 16 000 participants started off in three different blocks – with blocks A to C starting at 05:50; block D at 06:00 and block E at 06:10.

However, runners usually disperse relatively shortly after the start as the leaders of the pack break away, but this is not the case with Two Oceans’ half-marathon. There are just too many participants. A lot of your energy is devoted to trying to find gaps to overtake those in front of you.

The majority of half-marathon runners concurred that Southern Cross Drive was the most challenging. Many of them who did not make the cut-off time of 3,5 hours, blamed it on this stretch of the route.

Also read: Local runners excel in Two Oceans Marathon

The ultramarathon kicked off at 06:30. The start was also in Main Road, but in the opposite direction. The first 28 kilometres of the race is relatively flat. Schizelle Theron of Nedbank LVCC joked that the route was not that challenging for Lowvelders as we have to run up hills every day. “You had to pace yourself and take care not to go too fast in the beginning,” Schizelle explained.

However, the Lowveld’s uphills cannot compare to Chapman’s Peak, forcing the majority of participants to walk. Even worse than Chapman’s, is Constantia Nek at 42 kilometres, which equals a marathon.

But, as Old Mutual’s posters along the route read: “It’s a hill. Get over it”. Runners had no choice but to comply. The remaining 12 kilometres were downhill and much easier. “The weather was ideal and the wind didn’t bother us too much. It was a very enjoyable race,” Schizelle concluded.

Results per Lowveld clubs

Kruger National Park
Louis Van de Walle (ultra) – 05:28:12.

Legogote Villagers
1. Sbongakonke Mavundla (ultra) – 06:45:34
2. Nicolene Smalman (half) – 02:29:43
3. Jonathan Tombs (ultra) – 05:45:19.

Nedbank LVCC
1. Werner Pakendorf (ultra) – 06:22:43
2. Brad Carter (ultra) – 06:27:05
3. Tanya Carter (ultra) – 06:27:05
4. Arina de Klerk (ultra) – 05:17:26
5. Johan Eksteen (ultra) – 05:42:03
6. Karin Eksteen (half) – 02:27:08
7. Anlie Endemann (half) 02:21:26
8. Theo Endemann (half) – 02:17:01
9. Erwin Louw (ultra) – 06:57:44
10. Marle Meyer (ultra) – 05:37:49
11. Philani Samuel Mkhwanazi (half) – 02:37:27
12. Helette Pretorius (half) – 02:07:01
13. Paul Theron (ultra) – 06:53:09
14. Schizelle Theron (ultra) – 05:36:50
15. Andriëtte van Immerzeel (half) – 02:05:22
16. Pieter van Immerzeel (ultra) – 06:02:33
17. Timothy Walsh (ultra) – 06:36:16
18. Lianda Wells (ultra) – 06:34:36.

Longtom Marathon Club
Wihan Swanepoel (ultra) – 03:58:40.

Nelspruit Marathon Club
1. Cecilia Botha (half) – 02:39:02
2. Marius Botha (ultra) – 06:41:22
3. Rikus Botha (ultra) – 04:47:00
4. Mariet Erasmus (ultra) – 06:32:49
5. Wilhelm Combrink (half) – 02:32:16
6. André Erasmus (half) 02:29:33
7. Yvonne Greeff (ultra) – 06:53:31
8. Nelly Khoza (ultra) – 06:20:11
9. Scotch Elleck Mgiba (ultra) – 06:01:25
10. Christopher Mzwandile Ngubane (ultra) – 06:57:31
11. Lucky Bethuel Sibande (ultra) – 05:35:39
12. Willie Steenkamp (half) – 02:28:08
13. Annemarie van Brakel (ultra) – 05:53:28
14. Pierre van Brakel (half) – 02:39:27
15. Johannes van der Walt (ultra) – 06:40:29
16. Audrey Wiid (half) – 02:44:54
11. Nico Widd (ultra) – 06:20:35.

Run/walk for Life Nelspruit
1. Moris Maiga (ultra) – 04:27:49
2. Matt Phosha (ultra) – 04:51:00
3. Cheril Coetzee (ultra) – 05:51:00
4. Tracey Rundle (ultra) – 06:52:16
5. Marc Stevens (half) – 01:59:22
6. Etienne Roux (half) – 02:33:52
7. Lorinda Roux (half) – 02:33:52
8. Adecia Mlombo (half) – 02:57:00.

Sabie Shufflers
1. Irene Hatch (half) – 02:10:11
2. Paul Hatch (half) – 02:10:11.