Two Oceans Ultra Marathon entries 2015

Online entries for the 2015 Two Oceans Ultra Marathon open at 10am on Wednesday, 29 October 2014. The 46th Ultra Marathon will take place on Easter Saturday, 4 April 2015, and the entry limit of 11 000 runners is once again expected to be reached. Entries for the popular Two Oceans Half Marathon are only opening from the 13 November or 19 November 2014 for general entries.

To qualify for participation in the Ultra Marathon, runners must have completed at least one full marathon (42.2km) after 1 July 2014 in under five hours. However, runners do not have to pre-qualify to enter and can submit their qualifying times at a later stage.

South African Ultra Marathon entrants are also required to belong to a registered running club and have a valid running licence. No temporary licences will be issued to Ultra Marathon runners.

All registration is happening online at www.twooceansmarathon.org.za and it’s suggested to pre-fill your application in advance:

Old Mutual’s R1 million challenge

In addition to the prize money that can be won by the Ultra Marathon winners, title sponsor Old Mutual has once again issued its R1 million challenge to the winning male and female runner who respectively breaks the record for the 56km Ultra Marathon in 2015.

The men’s record of 3:03:44 was set in 1988 by road running legend Thompson Magawana, while Frith van der Merwe set the women’s record a year later in 1989 when she ran 3:30:36.

The closest any runner has come since then is Zimbabwean Marko Mambo, who ran 3:05:39 in 2005, and who has won the race three times. Russian Olesya Nurgalieva ran the second fastest women’s time in 2008 when she crossed the finish line in 3:34:53.

This will be the 16th year that Old Mutual sponsors this prestigious road race.

Online queueing system introduced for Half Marathon entries

In an effort to alleviate pressure on the online entry system, and to give runners a fair chance to enter, the organisers are introducing an online queueing system as already used by the likes of Computicket and the Cape Town Cycle Tour. The Half Marathon is limited to 16 000 entries.

Blue and Light Blue Number holders may enter from 10am on 5 November 2014 (by invitation only). Runners with valid SA running club licences may enter from 10am on 13 November 2014. General entries will open at 10am on 19 November 2014.

Entries will be limited during these three entry waves to ensure that everyone gets a fair chance to secure their spot at the start line. Entries into the popular Trail Runs (10km & 22km) will open at 10am on 4 December 2014. Trail entries are limited and sold out within minutes in 2013, and it is expected to happen again this year. Entries to the Fun Runs that take place on Friday, 3 April 2014, will open on 24 November 2014 and close on 22 March 2015.

Runners can also join the online conversation using the #OMTOM2015 hashtag

Tsepo Ramonene – Not your average Olympia 2012 Marathon runner

Watch this Lesotho Olympic Runner Tsepo Ramonene’s Commercial

Tsepo Ramonene possesses the usual marathon runner’s physique, a modest height with a slight frame and no body fat to be seen. It’s no wonder he has to wear multiple layers of t-shirts and jackets to keep warm, winter in Lesotho can be bitterly cold. When you first meet Tsepo you soon get the sense that he will not be asking many questions. He is a very quiet and humble young man and after learning more about his situation and where he is coming from, you can see the reason for his timid persona.

When you asked Tsepo what he does, he simply replies, “I run”. Running is Tsepo’s life. Both his parents are unemployed. His dad receives a very small pension from working in the mines, but not enough to support the family. Tsepo is the sole breadwinner he feeds his family with the small winnings he earns from his races. His parents are proud of his achievements so far and they know when he goes to a race he will return with something.

The current marathon world record is 2h:03min. Tsepo’s personal best is 2h 16min, within Olympic qualification standard. This shows great talent and potential considering his age. At the age of 20 he has plenty years ahead of him to develop his talent. With the right support, coaching and nutrition Tsepo could be a world champion. Before a race he eats white bread with tea. His gradmother sometimes gives him R50 from her monthly pension which he uses to buy energy drink sachetts.

Tsepo’s wish is to finnish his schooling. He has only completed primary school. As his parents couldn’t afford to send him to high school which is about R1500 a year in Lesotho.

His dreams are to have a proper home and one day build a house for his family.

Tsepo will be competing in the London Olympic marathon.

Thanks to the Filmmaker Christian Denslow for emailing me about this inspiring video and all the best to

Lighthouse 10km Night Race 2012 in Mouille Point, Cape Town

I am happy to see that the Lighthouse Ten run is going to happen for the tenth time in 2012, as it was my first road race ever that I participated in in 2010.
The 10km Lighthouse run takes place on Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 along the Sea Point promenade at 6:15pm.

Runners are advised that the start and finish point has moved from the lighthouse to the lawns near Rocklands Beach, opposite the SABC studios in Beach Road.

The fast and flat route follows a 10km loop along the Sea Point promenade and is perfect for those wanting to post a personal best, or for those just looking for a fun evening jog or walk next to the ocean.
The event starts at 18h15 and participants can enter on the day from 16h45 onwards.  Entry costs R30 for licensed runners, R45 for unlicensed runners, while juniors will pay R15 if they have a licence and R25 if not.

This year’s medal depicts the lighthouse on Dassen Island and will be handed out to the first 2 000 participants.  There are also some great lucky draw prizes including a 32-inch flat screen TV.  Supporters, spectators and families are encouraged to bring a picnic, watch the sunset and enjoy the race.

Over 2000 runners are expected to complete the popular 10km run and collect this years medal. A refreshment tent and a live DJ will keep the spectators entertained as they cheer their loved ones along as the sun sets on the horizon.

Registration opens at 4:45pm on Wednesday, 7 March.

Costs:
licensed seniors R30
licensed juniors R15
unlicensed seniors R45
unlicensed juniors R25

RULES AND INFORMATION for the 2012 Lighthouse Ten Run

Peninsula Marathon and Half-Marathon 2012

I’m back to running in Cape Town and I just signed up for my first Marathon to be run in South Africa. Last year I ran my first Half-Marathon at the Peninsula Marathon 2011 and this year I’ll go double the distance I completed my first full Marathon at the legendary New York City Marathon in November!

About the Cape Peninsula Marathon 2012:

The Peninsula Marathon is back on the faster traditional route that runners have grown accustomed to over the years after race organisers were forced to introduce a new marathon route for 2009 and 2010 to avoid the construction around the stadium.

The marathon will start on February 19th in Green Point, opposite the Cape Town Stadium, while the half marathon will start in Bergvliet.  Both routes take runners along the Main Road through to the finish at the Naval Sports Grounds in Simonstown.

The Peninsula is always a popular event with local runners, as it is an official qualifier for the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and many use it both to qualify and as their long training run.

Start Times and Start Venues:

1: 42.2km    05h15 Main Road, Green Point (Opp Cape Town Soccer Stadium)

2: 21.1km    07h00 Bergvliet Sports Club, Childrens Way, Bergvliet (Off Lower Ladies Mile)

Cut Off Times:

1: 42.2km     11h15 (6 hours)

2: 21.1km     11h00 (4 hours)

Route Profile:

Course Records:
1: Men Ernest Tjela 2:11:47 (1987)
2: Women Monica Drogemoller 2:37:19 (1990)

Enter the Peninsula Marathon on topevents.co.za. Closing date for entries is Friday 10th February 2012!

Deadline for Cape Town Marathon Entries approaching

The deadline for online entries for the Cape Town Marathon 2011 is fast approaching with Monday September 12 the cut-off date for pre-entries to the 42.2km and 10km races.

The Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 25 September, has a flat and fast 42.2km route which starts in Adderley Street at 06h30 and takes runners out to Rondebosch before looping back to the new Green Point Urban Park via Salt River, the Foreshore and the Sea Point promenade – showcasing Table Mountain, the ocean and many of the major attractions Cape Town has to offer.

The race has an extended 8-hour cut off time to give novice runners the opportunity to complete their first 42.2km race. There is also a 10km race which starts in Adderley Street at 06h30 and has a two hour cut-off, so walkers will have ample time to earn their medal.

The marathon is expected to attract quality runners as it is the only South African Olympic qualifier for London 2012. It is also a qualifier for the 2012 Comrades and Two Oceans marathons.

The prize money for the marathon winner is R25 000 followed by R15 000 for second and R12 500 for third place. In the 10km race the winner will receive R12 500 with the second runner winning R7 500 and third place R6250.

Besides the Marathon and 10km races on Sunday 25 September, the public can enter a 5 x 4.2km relay race aimed at clubs, companies and schools. The relay starts at the Green Point Urban Park at 14h30 on Heritage Day 24 September 2011. There is also a 5km fun run from 16h30 at the Urban Park on Heritage Day.

 “An event such as the Cape Town Marathon truly highlights the diversity and beauty of our city and its surrounds. We are looking forward to seeing this race go from strength to strength, not only as a race which attracts the world’s best, but also as an event that involves the people of Cape Town,” says Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana, the managing director of the Cape Town Partnership.

“As Cape Town becomes increasingly pedestrianised and more accessible, the Cape Town Marathon reminds us that the best experience of our city can often be had on foot. We urge our citizens to show their support and encouragement for this year’s race.”

Runners can get registration details at the Green Point Urban Park tea room on Friday 23 September until 6pm for the Marathon and on Saturday 24 September for the 10km.

Runners should visit www.wpa.org.za for online entries, which close on Monday September 12.

Two Oceans Ultra Marathon results 2011

The 2011 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon was won by George Ntshiliza from the Eastern Cape, who completed the 56km race in 03:08. Second place went to Motlhokoa Nkabutlane (Lesotho), while Tsokang Maine (Lesotho) finished third to complete the world’s most beautiful marathon podium.

The women’s event was won by Oleysa Nurgalieva (Russia), with her twin sister Elena, in second place and Mamorollo Tjoka (Lesotho) claiming third prize.

Mens Ultra Marathon results (56 km)

[table id=9 /]

Womens Ultra Marathon results (56 km)

[table id=10 /]

Go for your Run! Two Oceans Marathon 2011 is on!

Hopefully you’ve done all your training and are ready to do your best – Two Oceans Marathon in on! The excitement is there and the weather forecast for Cape Town looks like we’ll have perfect running weather with sunny and mild temperatures between 13-24 °C.

The expo hall where you went for registration was busy the last two days:

Have you picked up your Goodie bag? Did you find the same stuff as I did?

I wish all runners all the best!

UNOGWAJA 2011 – The cycle journey to Comrades

Set to kick off on the 19th of May 2011, the UNOGWAJA 2011 will follow in the footsteps of war veteran Phil Masterton-Smith where four young men will attempt the ultimate journey of courage and endurance by cycling from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg and the following day running the Comrades marathon.

Endorsed by the Comrades, the UNOGWAJA 2011 journey will consist of a ten-day cycle totaling 1,730km’s on the saddle and the following day running the world’s ultimate marathon, the Comrades. This epic biathlon will be done in aid of the Amabeadibeadi charities (the collaboration of official Comrades charities).

The UNOGWAJA 2011 was created to commemorate war soldier and Comrades winner Phil Masterton Smith (also known as UNOGWAJA – meaning the hare) who in 1933 could not afford the train fare from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg to take part in the Comrades. He then put himself in the history books by cycling a distance of 1,730km to get to Pietermaritzburg and then raced the Comrades and placed 10th. This ultimate story of passion, will power and triumph is why the UNOGWAJA 2011 was created.

The UNOGWAJA team- John McInroy, Paul Blake, WP van Zyl and Lourens van Zyl were joined through Red Sock Friday, an organization that shares its origin, like Comrades in the aftermath of a World War and is a global community of people who share a common passion for life and positive energy.

“When WP van Zyl shared the story about Phil Masterton-Smith with us we just knew we had to take it on. We got involved with the PinkDrive and realized that doing this for charity would be a perfect fit and in the same breath gave us the motivation we needed” said John McInroy, from redsockfriday

The Amabeadibeadi is collaboration of the five official Comrades charities that all serve to benefit from Comrades and the UNOGWAJA 2011, namely the Community Chest, Wildlands Trust, Sports Trust, PinkDrive and Starfish.

“We were approached by John to get involved and be the official charity for the UNOGWAJA, we felt that this is such a unique and inspirational journey and we should use the opportunity to collaborate with all the other Amabeadibeadi charities. With the support of the Comrades and the five Amabeadibeadi charities the message of UNOGWAJA will now be shared and used to inspire all taking part in the Comrades. ”said Noelene Kotschan from the PinkDrive

“Just as the charities have collaborated, so have the sponsors who each have played an integral role in making the dream of UNOGWAJA come to life. The team has received top of the range bicycles from KTM, running shoes from New Balance and support crew vehicles & fuel from Avis.” Added Kotschan

“The history and traditions that surround the Comrades Marathon are part of what makes Comrades the biggest and the best Ultra Marathon in the world. We are very excited to support this challenge for that benefit our Official Amabeadibeadi Charities, and at the same time retrace a part of the race history. Good luck to all the participants – we applaud them and wish them a safe journey to the start of the Ultimate Human Race .” commented Gary Boshoff CEO of Comrades

The UNOGWAJA team will be running in the colours of the Natal Carbineers, the same colours that Masterton-Smith wore in 1931 when at the age of nineteen became the youngest ever Comrades winner and is the same division that Masterton-Smith died fighting under in the Western Desert in 1942.

Team UNOGWAJA have received training and nutritional guidance from the Sports Science Institute of South Africa who have put their weight behind their efforts and put them on a rigorous exercise and nutritional programme to ensure they are at their physical peak for the challenge.

The journey will start in Cape Town on the 19th of May and the team along with their Avis sponsored support vehicles will visit various towns on route until they arrive in Pietermaritzburg at Comrades House on the 28th May.

“We are doing a callout to the communities in each of the towns that we pass through to come and show us support. We are also going to use this project to uplift these communities by giving local businesses a platform to get involved.” concluded McInroy.

You can sms “redsock” to 40021 to donate R20 to the UNOGWAJA. Alternatively you can also donate into the giant donation can that will be traveling with the team. Corporate companies or individuals can “share” a memory and sponsor a kilometer that the team travels.

Daily video diary updates will be blogged via RedSockFriday.com and pinkdrive.co.za.

Their Journey will follow the following route:

Wed 18 May:     Cape Town

Thurs 19 May:    Stellenbosch

Fri 20 May:          Montagu

Sat 21 May:         Oudtshoorn

Sun 22 May:       Klipplaat

Mon 23 May:     Cradock

Tues 24 May:     Lady Frere

Wed 25 May:     Maclear

Thurs 26 May:    Kokstad

Fri 27 May:          PMB

Sat 28 May:         Durban

Sun 29 May:       Durban

Results for Lighthouse 10km 2011 run in Mouille Point, Cape Town

The Lighthouse 10km run 2011 in Mouille Point, Cape Town was another well organized event that I was lucky to run at. The picture above was shot by me after finishing the race in 49 minutes. The following table shows the official results as issued by the race organizers. To look for your result, just start typing your name into the search box of the respective distance you went for:

Lighthouse run 2011 results (10 km)

[table id=8 /]

Lighthouse 10km Night Race 2011 in Mouille Point, Cape Town

My first half-marathon – Randolf does the Cape Town Peninsula Marathon 2011

While my original plan was to premiere with my first half-marathon in April 2011 for Two Oceans Marathon 2011 a spontaneous decision made me enter and run the Peninsula Marathon in Cape Town on February 20th. 9 days prior to race I felt fit enough for the 21km race, even though I’ve never done more than 16 km before, and I was bold enough to signed up for start number 4227.

My Problems only began thursday before the race sunday, when my new Asics running shoes I had just bought in December were stolen and I decided to go for a last pre-race 13km run in my 5 year old Nikes. Just after the race I realised that my left Calf did hurt and it didn’t got much better until Saturday evening. I knew I couldn’t do the race in my old shoes, so I went to buy new running shoes and got new Asics and some great advice at The Athletes Foot at V&A Waterfront. The very helpful advice I got from Athletes Foot owner Grant Bryant was that I should be using my old inner soles in the brand new running shoes.

Race day:

With this in mind I arrived in Bergvliet on time for the 7am race start – see photo above for my impression, standing at the end of the start block. The start went well and after few minutes everybody was able to run at his or her own pace without accidentally running into others. The ache from tension in my leg didn’t really got worse during the race and I only felt weak towards the 16k mark but had no serious struggle to finish the race. My only serious issue was Runkeeper on my Android phone that crashed after 8 km just to restart with a new session that I can’t merge together. This is the reason why you can only see the last 13 km on this map.

The race is seriously beautiful and despite the strong South-Easter wind I fully enjoyed the run past Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Simonstown. Without my Runkeeper tracking my run I couldn’t check for time and was really surprised to end 1:58:20 and was #346 out of the 1265 half-marathon runners when the Peninsula Marathon results were published!

The Atmosphere at the finish was really pleasant, as drinks were available, 15-minute massages could be bought for a mere 50 Rand and I met four friends from the The Drinking Club with a Running Problem who just finished the full marathon in 4:29 running together for the whole race! After some glasses of Moreson bubbly we were strong enough to move to a very late breakfast at Boulders Beach restaurant – aaaah – I love these beautiful days in Cape Town!

Randolf Jorberg right after finishing the Peninsula Marathon

Peninsula Marathon 21 and 42 km results

Despite the strong South-Easter blowing the Peninsula Marathon 2011 was a very well organised event that saw 3131 runners completing the Peninsula Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday. I’ve also published a personal report from my first ever half-marathon at the Peninsula Marathon 2011. The following table shows the provisional results as issued by the race organizers. To look for your result, just start typing your name into the search box of the respective distance you went for:

Full Marathon results (42.195 km)

[table id=4 /]

Half Marathon results (21.0975 km)

[table id=3 /]

I did run the Marathon myself and made spot #346 🙂

Running with gadgets – RunKeeper, iRun and more…

I did only start running when I realised that there are tech toys to help me doing so. I started in 2007 using Nike+iPod – but only started running more regular when I found out about the beauty of GPS based route trackers and installed RunKeeper on my iPhone in 2009 and now you can see most of my runs in public on their site. As there is a huge growth for these tools and many of my friends join the running sport and let me and the world know about it using RunKeeper aswell, I am sure there is more behind it and we’ll see a whole new generation of runners to join this sport, based on a paradigm shift that’s accelerating growth for social media tools that are surrounding us every day.

For every global trend there’s always at least one example of someone who overdoes it. For some million of runners who get hooked onto RunKeeper to keep track of their own performance there is one ‘crazy guy’ who puts it to extremes:

Enter Joseph Tame and his iRun. He makes his running success or failure 100% transparent to his internet followers with a setup that he describes himself:

“It features four iPhones on rotatable mounts, an iPad, an Android handset, three mobile wifi routers, a wind turbine (ok, so it’s a kid’s fan that turns around…), a 4-in-one atmospheric monitor, a heart monitor, a plastic doughnut and of course the very important satellite dish for high-speed data connectivity (cunningly crafted from a bird-feeding dish).

This technology will allow me to broadcast live video on two cameras (using either skype or FaceTime to a local studio for re-broadcast), send live location/pace/heart rate data via Runkeeper on the iPhone, transmit temperature, COx/humidity/noise levels via a custom-made Android app – and do all of this while looking incredibly cool.”

Peninsula Marathon 2011

Update: the 2011 race finished and we got all Peninsula Marathon 2011 results online – you can also read my personal race review from my first Peninsula Half-Marathon 2011! Read everything about the Cape Peninsula Marathon 2012 here!

The Peninsula Marathon will return to the faster traditional route in 2011 that runners have grown accustomed to over the years. Race organisers were forced to introduce a new route for 2009 and 2010 to avoid the construction around the stadium, where the race has started for the past 41 years.

The marathon will start on February 20th in Green Point, near the World Cup stadium, while the half marathon will start in Bergvliet.  Both routes take runners along the Main Road through to the finish at the Naval Sports Grounds in Simonstown.

The Peninsula is always a popular event with local runners, as it is an official qualifier for the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and many use it both to qualify and as their long training run.

Start Times and Start Venues:

1: 42.2km    05h15 Main Road, Green Point (Opp Cape Town Soccer Stadium)

2: 21.1km    07h00 Bergvliet Sports Club, Childrens Way, Bergvliet (Off Lower Ladies Mile)

Cut Off Times:

1: 42.2km     11h15 (6 hours)

2: 21.1km     11h00 (4 hours)

Route Profile:

Course Records:
1: Men Ernest Tjela 2:11:47 (1987)
2: Women Monica Drogemoller 2:37:19 (1990)

Enter the Peninsula Marathon on topevents.co.za.

Two Oceans Marathon 2011 route and facts!

With the Two Oceans Marathon Entry date approaching soon, we want to give you an overview for the highlight of the 2011 Marathon season in Africa. We already wrote about the Two Oceans Marathon Entry requirements and limitations in a previous post.

The Two Oceans Marathon Route:

The World’s Most Beautiful Marathon: This year’s route (the PURPLE line on the map) will be the same as the one used since 2004. Runners will veer off left onto Noordhoek Road (Chapman’s Peak Drive) at the foot of Ou Kaapse Weg after passing through Sun Valley, and then head through Noordhoek and Hout Bay to Constantia Nek.

Two Oceans Marathon Route Map

• Start point : Main Road in Newlands.
• Quarter way mark (14 km): In Lakeside, just past the Sandvlei turnoff.
• Halfway mark (28 km): On Noordhoek Road before Chapman’s Peak
• Marathon mark (42.195 km): Near the cemetery on Constantia Nek.

It is the responsibility of each runner to know the route of their race. Traffic Police and race marshals will take all reasonable steps to ensure runners safety, however runners are responsible for their well being at all times.

56 km: The route remains the same as last year. From the start in Newlands along the Main Road to Fish Hoek, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Constantia Nek, Rhodes Drive, and Union Avenue to the finish at UCT. An IAAF graded course measurer has certified the route. A sign will mark every kilometer of the route. The course is 56 km (35 miles).

Route Profile

The Ultra Marathon Route is actually quite flat for the first 28 kilometers, and then starts to climb quickly as one approaches the start of Chapman’s Peak. From Hout Bay, the route climbs again to the highest point at Constantia Nek. Thereafter the route is undulating until the finish at UCT.

Two Oceans Marathon route profile (click on image to enlarge)

Interactive Map

Click here for our interactive map (by MapIT) indicating the route, kilometre markers, refreshment stations and medical points.

Virtual Map

Click here to view the virtual route map as was set up by Bertus van Elburg. One can zoom in and out and see the route in comparison with other landmarks.

Entries for Two Oceans Marathon 2011 open on November 1st!

Update: Entry totals on Friday 19 November 2010:
Ultra Marathon 496
Half Marathon 3732

The race is on. The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, which takes place on Saturday 23 April 2011 is opening it’s registration soon!

Entries open on Monday 1 November and runners can enter online at twooceansmarathon.co.za.  Those interested in running the ultra are encouraged to get their qualifying marathon done as soon as they can and to submit their entry.  The qualifying window is 1 September 2010 to 16 March 2011 for the ultra event.

Entries close on 16 March 2011 or when the 11 000 entry cut off for each distance is reached.  Last year over 3 000 participants in the half marathon were turned away and the ultra had just over 9 000 runners.  A limited number of entry forms will be printed and available from the end of November at leading sports shops or on request from the race office.

In 2010 over 27 000 participants took part in the various distances including the fun runs, making it the biggest running event in Africa. The flagship race, the ultra marathon, attracted 9000 competitors, while the half marathon saw 11700 runners take part – a limited field in the interests of runner safety as per advice from Cape Town City’s Disaster Management team, but it still remained the biggest half marathon in Africa. Entries had to close off four weeks prior to the scheduled closing date, which meant that Two Oceans Marathon turned away about 3 000 disappointed runners. Remember to enter early, particularly for the half marathon, to avoid missing out.

The 2011 event will also be introducing a new timing system, the RaceTec System (previously known as Winning Time), which will be used for the next five years.  This is the same timing system used by the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour and offers state of the art technology that will make the processing of results and times far easier and more user-friendly.

Those runners who already have one of these chips can use it for Two Oceans, while those that do not have chips will need to purchase one at a cost of R80.  The chips are usually R110 but the race office will subsidise them by R30.  This system is used extensively at various other races around the country, including the 94.7 Cycle Challenge in Johannesburg.

Two Oceans Marathon increases prize money by 47%

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, which takes place on Saturday 23 April 2011, has increased its prize money for next year’s event by 47% and will see the top male and female runners in the 56km ultra event each take home R250 000 for their efforts.

The new prize money schedule makes it one of the highest paying ultra events in the country and offers top runners an incentive to focus on winning the event in 2011.  General manager Rowyn James said, “We want to offer the top athletes an added incentive to focus on running and winning the ultra next year, as well as encouraging them to have a serious attempt at the respective course records, which were set over 20 years ago.”

James added that while the prize money has always been considered generous, they wanted to take it to the next level in order to attract some of road running’s top names.  The second and third place male and female runners will each receive R125 000 and R65 000 respectively.  Total prize money on offer for the event is just under R1.5-million.  Last year’s first prizewinners received R150 000, second place R75 000 and third R50 000.

Another exciting change for the event is the new marketing campaign “This is your moMEnt”, with the focus being on the ‘ME’ in ‘moment’.  The campaign centres solely on the runners, as they are responsible for the event’s growth and success since it started 42 years ago.

“Without the runners’ hard work and dedication this event would not have got to where it is today and this campaign is a tribute to this commitment and effort,” said marketing manager Stefanie Schultzen.

The campaign represents the significance of this prestigious race, which is an impressive, professional event that attracts over 27 000 participants from all over the world, as well as a running institution and real pacesetter on the road running calendar.  It focuses on the runners themselves and the amazing stories they have to tell.

Said Joy Khaole, head of Group Sponsorship for title sponsor Old Mutual, “We are thrilled with the new marketing campaign that celebrates the runners as it complements our brand message ‘do great things’.  Through this special event we provide runners with the platform to push beyond their boundaries.”

Comrades Marathon 2010 – all the facts!

The qualifying period for 2010 Comrades Marathon ended April 26th. For all other applicants it’s too late to sign up for the 85th comrades – the ultimate human race race in 2010.

The route distance for this years event is 89km. The 2010 Comrades Marathon is a “down run’, starting at the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg and finishing at the Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban.

• Date: Sunday, 30 May 2010
• Start: 05h30 at the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg
• Finish: 17h30 at Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead in Durban
• Distance: 89km – 56 miles
• 23.656 people entered the race
• The number of international participants is higher than ever: 1084 runners from 76 countries
• Official Homepage

Comrades Route map

General rules and information on the CMA homepage

Running in cement shoes…

Running in cement shoes is not necessary the most comfortable thing to do. This is what I hat to experience today when I went past a warning sign onto a closed skywalk and had to run past a construction site where they just started plastering the exit of the bridge.

Here you can see the result. Running back to my starting point 3 km in cement shoes was hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me!

Adidas, Asics, Nike, Any shoe company here to trade a cemented pair against a new one? Shoe size UK 12 will do, message me for address

Lighthouse Run 2010 results

The Men’s Health Lighthouse Ten Run 2010 in Mouille Point, Cape Town was a big success and after I published my personal run report yesterday, I’m happy to now release the official race results. Just enter your name into the small search box to see what’s your official finish time:

[table id=5 /]

My first run – 2010 Lighthouse Run in Cape Town

After some not too serious training but a good amount of excitement today was finally the day. The Lighthouse Ten Run 2010 was happening and for me it meant that my random running was about to become somehow more serious, as I was now measured not against myself or some computer program on my Phone, but  ‘real’ people running next to me. Joining in was my ‘Sportsfreund’ Cecily, who followed my call for company on Facebook only a few days earlier.

Arriving early one hour prior to the scheduled start at 6.15pm was definitely a good idea, as it gave us great parking, no queues and time to chat to other fellow runners who told us about some of the processes with the archaic time measurement, though my only goal was to run the 10km in under one hour…

The run didn’t start on time, but was moved to the odd time of 6.22 to allow even the late birds to participate. Despite warnings from another friend to stand in front of the starterfield, we were just behind the middle of the field but everyone got moving quite quickly, so the delay for the last runners, before they could really start running shouldn’t be much more than two minutes, what I think is very reasonable for a run with much more than 1500 participants.

Race day was one of the hottest days and temperatures in Cape Town went up to 34°C I never found it to be a problem, as the sun was not burning too much anymore. The race itself was really beautiful and I could always manage my relaxed jogging speed of just under 6 minutes per km and did even manage a sprint for the last two kilometers, when I left Cecily behind. But see the Lighthouse run on Everytrail yourself that I recorded with my iPhone:

Only the last hundred-something meters were causing a big problem. Because so many runners arrived at the same time the congestion made people wait several minutes before they collected their finisher-number (mine was 932) and I’m interested to see how the organising club is going to tell us exactly what results we scored, as mine should’ve been somewhere between 56 and 57 minutes…

But this small problem that could be solved with a modern chip-based timing system and it did in no way destroy the beautiful experience that this run was for me – Thank you Atlantic Athletic Club Cape Town for organising such a wonderful event!