Saturday April 13th 2024 I ran the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon (56K) in South Africa. Find below my full race coverage from this marathon and some tourist impressions from Cape Town.
Cape Town and Table Mountain
This was my first visit to South Africa, the country renown for Nelson Mandela and a rather noisy Soccer World Cup some years back. Also, Cape Town and the southern point of the African Continent, Cape Agulhas, should be know to many people out there. Cape Town is the most “European” city in South Africa and I was really surprised by this and the vastness of town, huge! The first and foremost tourist attraction is the Table Mountain, a flat-topped and scenic mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town. I also enjoyed the Victoria Wharf and, especially, playing the street chess players there. Lastly, I had a short visit in the colourful suburb Bo-Kaap.
Two Oceans Ultra Marathon 2024
The event carried the Ultra Marathon (Saturday) and a Half Marathon (Sunday), both with start and finish in the neighborhoods of Newlands, Cape Town. The Ultra Marathon was send of in seeded batches, I started at 05.35 AM. The attraction of the route is – as the name of the event indicates – running by the two Oceans: first the Indian Ocean and then the Atlantic Ocean and here climbing the breathtaking Chapmans Peak Drive. This was indeed a treat for the eyes but also quite a challenge for the body! As you can read in the race report, my experience with this race was somewhat destroyed by the poor – catastrophical! – race management and the so-called “cut scandal” (read more about this in the race report). However, I will keep my memories to the fact that I did indeed complete my first Ultramarathon (56K) at this Two Oceans Marathon 2024 and, as the report shows, including some unique and scenic views along the hilly and tough route. I’d say: don’t go to this race unless you easily finish in 4 hours 15 minutes in a normal city marathon.
See or relive the Two Oceans Marathon 2024 here (and in Zulu, Xhosa, Africaans and Swahili)