Two Oceans will be front and centre for marathoners

THE buildup to the 2018 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon is currently top of mind in local roadrunning circles.

A number of short distance races have taken place, or are yet to do so, and many of the 200-plus Border registered runners entered in the Two Oceans are using them as final tests of readiness for either the 56km ultra- or the half-marathon in Cape Town on Saturday March 31.

Last weekend the Cabbage Patch 15km took to the gravel farm roads of Komga, while tomorrow, King William’s Town-based Buffalo Athletics Club are hosting their Galaxy Bingo 10km road race.

That done, there will be one more warmup event next weekend, with the second running of the Mercedes-Benz 15km on the roads of the West Bank, home to the luxury car manufacturer.

At least two local clubs are having Two Oceans briefings next week and both are on Human Rights Day, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

Real Gijimas have announced a briefing taking place at the Masizakhe Children’s home in Mdantsane at 2pm where some of their most experienced runners will share their experiences in an open forum format. In the days when Border recognised the top clubs, Real Gijimas were often the one to beat.

Born 2 Run have indicated they are having a 12km meander from Beacon Bay Country Club at 7.30am. followed by a breakfast chat on the 56km race with last year’s gold medallist, Stephanie Smith and her coach sharing how they prepare for the race.

Hanlie Botha is expected to cover the fairly tough Two Oceans half-marathon, a race she has won two gold medals at, with seventh and ninth place finishes and a best time of 79:39.

Meanwhile the results in Komga, saw Born 2 Run’s Lukhanyo Ngxoko, made his first appearance of the year at a local race, having finished third at a 10km event in Durban a week earlier.

He is also Border’s top contender in the Two Oceans half-marathon and as such his performance was of some consequence. He did not disappoint, winning the tough 15k in 50:08, a whopping 3:50 faster than the second placed Yanga Manlosi and a further 1:28 ahead of Bulelani Mgubo of All Stars.

Ngxoko’s pace was a tad under 3:20 per kilometre and he will have to be much faster on the tar in 15 days time.

Mgubo is running the 56km event in a year when his form has been a bit erratic, but he is too good a runner not to be taken seriously on his travels to the Western Cape.

The women’s race was won by Andrea Ranger who will be running her ninth Two Oceans ultra. The Old Selbornian runner will expect to finish in the top four Border women and look for a personal best.

Ranger finished Cabbage Patch in 70:13 comfortably ahead of Doerte Reinke and Rebekah Anderson in that order.

Tomorrow’s 10km race is an out and back route from the Lovedale Sports Fields and is expected to attract many of the fastest runners in the province.

The outcome could of course be affected by the weather though predictions indicate the rain will have passed by then. —