Don’t let the Two Oceans lose its allure

As a journalist, road running races are generally covered from the back of open trucks with grandstands attached, which drive just ahead of the lead athlete.

There’s a need to start races early in this country, in order to combat potentially overbearing heat, so it’s not always a pleasant experience.

It’s so dark, at least in the early stages, that you can’t see the faces of runners in the lead group.

And it gets cold – super cold. Like teeth chattering, finger numbing, feel it in your bones cold.

The wind can also be a pain, and press trucks sometimes have to stop so hacks can chase their hats, notepads, pens and sunglasses.

So as much as I enjoy the sport, the conditions can be miserable when you’re trying to work.

But there is an exception. A race encompassed with such spectacular beauty that your senses switch themselves off to the elements.

I’ve been so transfixed by the scenery along the route at the Two Oceans Marathon that I’ve missed leads changing hands right in front of my eyes.

It is, therefore, a real disappointment to see the race sliding into potential oblivion. And it has happened almost overnight.

Without getting silly, let me first rave about the event.

Without it, South Africa would not have the upper hand over countries like the United States and Japan as the go to place to run an ultra-marathon.

While other races have played their parts, including the Comrades, Om die Dam and Loskop, the Two Oceans is all sorts of special.

It’s the second largest ultra-distance race on the planet, and the event’s half-marathon race is the most popular in the country, while also boasting the rare statistic of attracting more women entrants than men.

The distance is also short enough to attract marathon specialists, and the times that are run on the challenging course are remarkable.

So it’s a great race. It’s one of my favourites, and for good reason.

But that’s where the good ends and the bad starts.

Known for its superb organisation since the race was directed by road running legend Chet Sainsbury, the event set its own standard over the years and it raised the bar high. Just about as high as it can go.

That standard is slipping, however, and the problems around this year’s race were astounding.

They ran out of various things, including much needed water and T-shirts which should have been pre-ordered.

They changed the route at the last minute because the organisers didn’t communicate properly with local residents regarding threats of protests.

And perhaps most shocking for me - as I wasn’t on the ground to cover it this year - the race wasn’t televised.

Granted, they got through the disasters and the coverage was saved somewhat by a live stream, but that’s not much consolation for those who couldn’t watch in a country where the cost of data is nearly as high as the cost of food.

No race is immune to mishaps, but one error for Two Oceans is one too many. They set their own bar, and to reach that height requires near perfection.

The organisation this year was not even close to perfect. It was one of the worst editions in the 50-year history of the event.

Other ultra-distance races have collapsed over the years, including the once popular Korkie and City to City events.

But if Two Oceans folded, it would be disastrous for the sport.

South Africa is still the leading nation around the globe when it comes to organising world-class ultra-distance races, and Two Oceans used to lead the way.

They have some time, and they can still save the event from sliding into obscurity.

While their latest blunder in releasing entry details this week may not seem too significant, however, it’s one more issue to add to the lot.

If they want to retain their place as a must-run race on the calendar, they’re going to have to pull up their socks and it better be now. Tomorrow will be too late.

There are multiple reasons to appreciate the world’s most beautiful ultra-marathon, but scenery alone just isn’t going to cut it.