CAPE TOWN - After two long years, racers say they are ready for this weekend’s Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon (TTOM).
The annual expo kicked-off at the Cape Town International Convention Centre 2 (CTICC)on Wednesday, giving participants the opportunity to visit various exhibitors and to collect their race packs.
It continues Thursday and Friday.
Sam Ikela from Windhoek in Namibia said he was excited that the race was back, and hoped to finish the Half Marathon in under two hours.
“This time around I just want to improve my time, but I am very much excited for Saturday.
“The only disappointment is that there are no spectators allowed; I brought my family along.”
Fatima Hassin from Zimbabwe plans to conquer the 56km Ultra Marathon on Sunday, although it is her first TTOM.
“I have been waiting two years to come here, so I am very happy we have in-person races and I am looking forward to the experience. This is a bucket-list race for me.
“I want to make up for the two years,” she said.
Regarded as the world’s most beautiful race, the TTOM will take place over Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday is the 21.1km Half Marathon, which will start at 6.30am.
On Sunday, the 56km Ultra Marathon starts at 5.20am.
Both races will start in Main Road in Newlands and will end on the Rugby field at UCT.
Two Oceans Marathon non-profit company board member Hilton Kearns said that because of the Covid-19 restrictions, they were hosting only the Half Marathon and the Ultra Marathon this year.
“We are unable to offer our other races such as the trail run and the fun run.
“Regarding the route, everything stays pretty much the same, however, some of the big changes we had to implement since 2019 is (that) no spectators are allowed at the finish, and we have more batches as we need to run in smaller numbers.
“Also, the various athletics clubs are not allowed their gazebos, but come 2023 and all things are equal, then we would be able to have things back to normal,” said Kearns.
He added that there would be eight batches for the Half Marathon and 16 batches for the Ultra Marathon with, on average, 750 to 800 people per batch.
Totalsports announced their three-year agreement as the title sponsor of the Two Oceans Marathon in February this year.
“Totalsports is a firm believer in the unifying power of running, and our investment is a celebration of the enduring spirit of runners everywhere in overcoming the challenges of the past two years.
“It’s great to finally see our running community excited about taking part in landmark events like Two Oceans again,” said Totalsports head of business Jonathan Stein.
“It represents inclusivity, the natural beauty and protection of the environment, as well as the excellence of the athletes who compete and the world-class standards the event has maintained over its long history,” he said.
The expo is open from 9am until 7pm.
Visit twooceansmarathon.org.za for more event information.
Cape Times