Thousands of visiting runners from more than 80 countries are flocking to Cape Town this weekend to challenge themselves on one of the most beautiful marathons on the planet – the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon.
Some say that if the world’s marathons were a beauty contest, ‘The Oceans’ would have few serious challengers for the crown. The route through Table Mountain National Park over Chapman’s Peak commands breathtaking views over Long Beach, Noordhoek through to Hout Bay and the Sentinel and leaves runners gasping in a mixture of exhaustion and adulation.
Now well and truly out of the COVID dip, it will be all guns blazing (and fish-horns blaring) as thousands of runners get underway in the 56km ultra-marathon on Saturday and the 21km half-marathon on Sunday. The weather forecasts are fair and it promises to be one of the biggest and best in the 52-year history of the race.
Numbers are up to pre-COVID levels, with more than 27 000 runners taking part in the two primary events. 2177 of these will be travelling across South Africa’s borders, bringing with them international goodwill, a Babylon of dialects and much needed foreign currency.
In 2018 Cape Town was rated Africa’s leading city for hosting international events for the 10th consecutive year, it’s 53 events more than twice as many as its closest rival. Although COVID put a temporary damper on the industry, business is booming again with the Mother City putting both feet forward in the first half of 2023.
In just one weekend in February, Cape Town hosted its inaugural E-Prix motor-racing series race, the ‘around the world’ yacht race and the final of the women’s Cricket World Cup. Since then, the Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Cape Epic have been outstanding successes.
But the Two Oceans Marathon uniquely brings together heart, razzmatazz and world-class experience and is undoubtedly one of the most loved, colourful and best supported of the Mother City’s mega-event bouquet.
A 2013 study by Dr Martinette Kruger of North-West University showed that the economic impact of the marathon on the regional economy amounted to R266 million (2012 Rand value). 840 jobs were created, contributing significantly to poverty alleviation and tourism. Those figures have undoubtedly increased.
Western Cape premier, Alan Winde, recognises the importance of the Two Oceans to the province. “This world-class race is one of the jewels in our events’ crown that not only brings people together but also gives our economy a significant boost,” Winde said.
Himself a passionate cyclist, Winde revels in healthy outdoor activity and encourages everyone to get involved over the weekend, whether running, supporting or simply spectating and cheering on the runners. “I believe in exercise and a healthy body and mind. I may not be a runner, but I am an avid cyclist and support this great event that the City and Province host every year.”
If the Province is impressed with what the Two Oceans brings to the Western Cape, the City of Cape Town is over the moon. “Big events, such as the Two Oceans, have significant potential to benefit our city if the positive impacts of hosting such an event can be maximised and negative effects kept to a minimum,” said former manager of the award-winning Western Cape – City of Cape Town Green Goal programme at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Lorraine Gerrans.
“Through our FIFA Green Goal programme, we were able to bring a number of positive, lasting outcomes to the city.
“The Green Point Urban Park, and in particular its Biodiversity Showcase Garden, the well-supported Cape Town Green Map and various interventions to reduce our carbon footprint, such as the installation of LED traffic lights, were just a few of the 41 projects which we were able to implement.
“The Two Oceans Marathon delivers economic, social and environmental benefits,” Gerrans, now Director of Environmental Management at the City of Cape Town, explained.
“The influx of high-end adventure / sport tourists from all over the world creates many jobs, with the hospitality and food / restaurant industries benefiting, in particular.
“Hosting the races over a weekend promotes a sense of health and wellbeing, which benefits our broader community, as well as providing opportunities for communities along the route, such as Masiphumelele and Imizamo Yethu, to become involved with the race.
“From an environmental point of view, we welcome the Two Oceans’ decision to move away from the use of plastics as far as possible, and promoting a broad consciousness of the need to do so. And having thousands of runners passing places of great natural beauty gives a boost to the conservation of our rich biodiversity and striking coastline.”
Premier Winde echoed those sentiments in his parting message to the runners. “I wish all participants the very best for their run, and especially welcome participants from beyond the Western Cape and our country.
“While this is a hotly contested race, I urge participants to take in the bountiful natural beauty of our region as they compete. Enjoy everything the Mother City and Western Cape have to offer!”
