Two Oceans Ultra / Half

Krusty_Clown

Hi Guys, am considering making plans to do the Two Oceans Ultra-marathon (and half marathon for the OH) next year (April) in Cape Town, as we're celebrating a couple of special occasions and have planned for a while to visit SA. Just wondering if anyone has done either of these races and have any feedback? The Ultra is 56km.

Did a search on the forum but couldn't find any mentions. Routes look incredible, and the weather in April is typically 14-17'C.

Two Oceans Marathon

By the way, the Ultra's only 56 euro.

hunnymonster

I've not done the 2 oceans before but I've only heard good things about it. A friend is doing it this year so I'll post back her opinions afterwards but from what I have heard before I would say, go for it.

SA is on our radar as well. Zuppylurk has been before but I've only ever been in north Africa. We're considering Comrades in 2010, apparently it's going to be a "down" year (as in 2009) because of the World cup.

jeffontour

Haven't done 2 oceans but did Comrades in 07. If 2 oceans is anything like it, and I believe it is, it's a race definitely worth doing.

Crowd support around the Comrades route is phenomenal and as a foreign runner you get an extra cheer from fellow runners as well as supporters. You have a different colour number to those from SA which marks you out as a bit of a novelty, there were about 400 hundred foreign runners in a field of about 13,000 in 07.

Oh, and regarding the up versus down run debate I asked one of the Comrades Ambassadors on the route tour which was worse, he described it in terms of post race limps, 2 days for the up, 2 weeks for the down. Camber on the roads is very tough on the feet and ankles, might be worth researching if similar for the 2 oceans.

hunnymonster

Krusty, Another one that comes recommended to me is
http://www.wildrun.co.za/
It's a bit longer at 112km but run over 3 days so each stage is relatively short. Scenery is supposed to be out of this world and I like that you sleep in a proper bed at night.

Krusty_Clown

Thanks folks. I like the idea of the Two Oceans, because there's two simultaneous events, a half and an ultra, so there's a stretch goal for the two of us. And there were promises made concerning visiting Table Mountain for someones landmark birthday, so it checks a lot of boxes.

If I suggested Comrades or the Wild Run I'd be described as self-serving and thoughtless. This way, I at least appear to be considerate.

hunnymonster

Krusty. I think 2 oceans sounds perfect for you guys. Always good when both people can find something in these big trips. I was more thinking out loud about some of the things I would like to do in RSA and a reference for people who might fall across this thread in future.