ROAD RUNNING enthusiasts are descending on the Mother City in huge numbers for arguably one of the most beautiful road-running ‘festivals’ this weekend, as the Two Oceans takes place from Friday until Sunday.

The flagship Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon - the 56km ultra, regarded as the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon - takes place on Saturday, with the women’s race as the main drawcard. Gerda Steyn looks to extend her record domination by chalking up a sixth successive win and possibly securing a fourth record on the trot.

Title sponsors Totalsports have once again dangled a R250 000 incentive for breaking the record, and everything suggests that Steyn will cross the finish line even faster than the 3:26:54 she ran last year. After all, her adversary and now Hollywood Athletics Club teammate Irvette van Zyl will be out to challenge the beloved runner, fondly nicknamed the Smiling Assassin.

The men’s race is very difficult to call, with no fewer than five athletes capable of winning. Last year’s winner, Onalenna Khonkhobe, will be aiming to achieve what has not been done in 20 years - winning the race back-to-back. The Nedbank Running Club athlete will have to be in superb form to overcome the likes of 2023 champion Givemore Mudzinganyama, double podium finisher Nkosikhona Mhlakwana, last year’s runner-up Lloyd Bosman, as well as the legendary Stephen Mokoka, who is looking to complete the race after dropping out late on debut last year.

What is unlikely to happen in the men’s race, however, is the breaking of the long-standing record of 3:03:44, set by the late Thompson Magawana back in 1988, despite the huge incentive on offer.

The Two Oceans weekend begins Friday with the MiWayLife Two Oceans Trail Runs returning to the calendar after a five-year hiatus induced by the Covid-19 pandemic. Toni Cavanagh, the Two Oceans Marathon chairperson, told the Cape Times that there will be two trail events - 12km and 22km - open to 500 participants each.

The half-marathon, taking place on Sunday, is often overlooked by many, yet it remains an integral part of the Two Oceans. It has previously produced some fascinating races and has been won by some of South African road running’s luminaries - Mokoka being one, and his role model, Hendrick Ramaala, another. Thabang Mosiako was last year’s champion.

And then there’s the Cape Town International Friendship Run, which is open to all international runners who have entered the TOM Ultra or half-marathon. It is a scenic and enjoyable 5.6km run/walk through Green Point Urban Park, past Cape Town Stadium, and along the Sea Point Promenade. Runners from all over the world get into the marathon spirit, jogging with flags from their respective countries.

Cape Times