The TWO OCEANS MARATHON the World’S Most Beautiful Marathon 1970 to 2019
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Celebrating 50 years of the TWO OCEANS MARATHON the world’s most beautiful marathon 1970 to 2019 Enjoy a sneak preview of Celebrating 50 years of the Two Oceans Marathon, a must-have publication! he Two Oceans Marathon is a spectacular For only R150, readers get 336 pages of unrivalled sporting experience unlike any other, as borne scenic route beauty, history and highlights of the T out by its many affectionate marathon monikers, event, fascinating characters who have woven their including the world’s most beautiful marathon, and way through half a century of Two Oceans Marathons, Africa’s biggest running festival. And now at 50 years, and an updated record of every Ultra Marathon we celebrate this global icon event with a visual feast finisher in theShip’s Log. of a coffee table commemorative compilation. Available on sale at the 2019 Two Oceans Marathon Expo, this is a must-have for all runners, family and friends alike. INTRODUCTION FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS 10 INTRODUCTION FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS n May 1970, a small group of 24 hardy runners met These races all form part of the annual Two Oceans organisation and presentation, and an unrivalled race up in the pouring rain for a 35-mile race on the Cape Marathon programme held on Easter Weekend, with atmosphere and spirit. IPeninsula, taking in Chapman’s Peak and going up some 33 000 runners pinning on a race number and Constantia Nek. The run was organised under the lacing up their shoes to be part of the biggest running Just as important is what lies at the very heart auspices of Celtic Harriers Club, and thus it was simply festival in Africa. Add the three-day Two Oceans of the Two Oceans Marathon, which is to use its called the Celtic Harriers 35-mile Race. Soon, however, Marathon Expo, which attracts over 55,000 visitors, and powerful platform to uplift and empower others in received a new name, and today we know it as the Two the fact that the event injects some R670-million into running and non-running communities. The social Oceans Marathon. the provincial economy each year, and you begin to impact falls under the umbrella of the Two Oceans understand just how much the Two Oceans Marathon Marathon Initiative (TOMI) and its numerous projects What started out as a small event steadily grew in has grown over the five decades. and initiatives, which are illustrated in its apt byline size and popularity through the 1970’s and 1980’s, “Together Our Magic Inspires.” and today the Two Oceans Marathon is almost However, this event is about so much more than just unrecognisable from that first race. Now the Ultra numbers. The Two Oceans Marathon is recognised The 2019 Two Oceans Marathon marks the 50th edition Marathon attracts 13 000 entries, selling out within the world over as one of the great ultra-marathons, of the Ultra Marathon. This is a time to celebrate and be hours, and there is even more of a demand for entries and many runners travel to South Africa to take in the inspired by the rich history of wonderful racing, traditions, into the accompanying Half Marathon, as well as for mixture of breathtaking scenery, a gruelling test of stories, memories and breathtaking moments captured in the Trail and Fun Runs. fitness for both elite and recreational runners, superb five decades of the world’s most beautiful marathon. Message from Old Mutual, longest serving sponsor of the Two Oceans Marathon As the title sponsor of the Two Oceans Marathon for the last 20 years, we are limited financial means with a comfortable place to sleep, ablution amenities very proud of this event’s legendary status and it will always resonate emotionally and warm meals ahead of big races. We are pleased that we will remain a part of with us. It gave us the opportunity to inspire thousands of people to plan and this internationally recognised and empowering sporting event by continuing to persevere to achieve their personal goals. It also provided a great platform for support the running community in various other ways going forward. social development and environmental management initiatives. We will continue with our community involvement and support in the form of Thobile Tshabalala the provision of our Old Mutual Runners’ Villages, which provide athletes with Old Mutual Limited Head of Brand 11 The ROUTE 1 THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL MARATHON he famous route of the Two Oceans Marathon takes in some of the most stunning scenery to be found in a road running event anywhere around the world, including Chapman’s Peak Drive. From start to finish participants run T past notable landmarks that have played a role in the rich history of the city of Cape Town. While most of the route has remained much the same over the years, the biggest changes have been with the start and finish venues. The first race in 1970 found its home at Impala Park in Newlands, but in 1971 it moved to Brookside in nearby Claremont, after the Celtic Harriers Club and Villager Football Club formed an association in September 1970. Brookside would remain the host venue until 1997. From 1998, the new route turned left and uphill onto the M3 from Rhodes Avenue, instead of right and downhill, with the finish at the University of Cape Town. Let’s take a tour of the modern route. Main Road, Southern Suburbs The Start Southern Suburbs The runners line up on Main From there the route runs along Main Road through Road, Newlands, near the Claremont, Kenilworth, Wynberg, Plumstead, Diep South African Breweries plant River, Heathfield and Retreat, a relatively flat, easy 10km with its distinctive aromas. introduction to the race. These are suburbs deeply A fish horn is sounded prior etched in the history of the city. For example, Wynberg to the starter’s cannon, a developed into a small town in the early 1800’s as it tradition begun in the early lay halfway between Table Bay and False Bay, on the 1970’s races to celebrate the wagon trail linking Cape Town to Simon’s Town, where old way of life in Cape Town, ships would anchor in the stormy winter months. Earlier, when the sale of fish was Retreat had earned its name in 1795 when Dutch troops traditionally announced by the were forced to withdraw to this point after the Battle of Start in Newlands blowing of the horn. Muizenberg against invading English forces. 12 The ROUTE False Bay Muizenberg St James to Clovelly After running past Zandvlei in the This suburb derives its name from Sergeant Wynand Willem The colourful Victorian-style bathing huts at St James Beach offer a welcome sight at 17km. Lakeside area, the first glimpse of the Muijs, a Dutch soldier put in charge of a cattle post near This bay is named after the Catholic church built here in 1880. Next is Kalk Bay, derived from Indian Ocean is experienced as Main Zandvlei, which was strategically important as it guarded the the Dutch term for chalk. This village was established in the 17th century as a small community Road enters Muizenberg. Ahead is road to Cape Town. In later years Muijs was promoted to of lime-burners who mined the nearby deposits of limestone and produced chalk. In 1795 the False Bay, which was named in the Captain and became the commander of the Cape Garrison. Dutch located a small military outpost here, and in the 1800’s it flourished as a fishing village early days of sailing ships arriving from Although few runners know it, at 16km they pass Post Huys, the and popular seaside resort and watering place. the East and confusing Cape Hangklip oldest habitable building in the country. It was built in 1673, for Cape Point. They then turned one year before the Cape Town Castle, and was originally used Around 20km, the route enters Clovelly and crosses the mouth of the Silvermine River, which north too early to round the Cape, as a lookout post and signal station. The building received was once notorious for its quicksand. There have been no reports of anybody getting into mistakenly thinking they were heading a direct hit during the battle of Muizenberg in 1795, but was difficulty here for a long time, although some Two Oceans Marathon runners who started too up the Peninsula to Table Bay. restored, and today is open to the public as a museum. fast may feel like their heavy legs are stuck in quicksand! Entering a sleepy Muizenberg Tidal pool and beach huts of St James 13 The BEGINNING VENTER’S VISIONARY RACE Jorrie Jordaan completed 31 consecutive Two Oceans Marathons from 1971 to 2001 18 The BEGINNING 2 VENTER’S VISIONARY RACE he fledgling idea for the Two Oceans Marathon was born Province Marathon in Bellville, which attracted a mere five entrants. the club committee said they didn’t feel there was any need for such in the late 1960’s when former Durban-based runner Dave Shortly after this, he took two months’ leave and returned to (then) a race in Cape Town. T Venter was transferred to Cape Town by his then employers, Natal to run his second Comrades, as well as the Bergville/Ladysmith BP Southern Africa. To his great disappointment, Venter found that Ultra. He was actually playing with the idea of asking BP for a transfer The Western Province Amateur Athletic Association (WPAAA) also running in the Cape was very much behind Durban, where the 90km back to Natal, but after discussing it with former clubmate Gerry turned the idea down, but help was at hand.