Blairgowrie long-distance runner and father of two, Doctor Vilakazi, recently completed his fourth Two Oceans Marathon, marking yet another milestone in his growing journey as an ultra-distance athlete.
Vilakazi, who runs for the MultiChoice Athletics Club and is part of the social running group: Team Titanium, says his love for running began as a simple desire to stay fit and healthy, but it quickly became a passion that’s taken him across the country.
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“When the running bug bit me, I started entering many races. The Two Oceans kept coming up as one of the biggest in South Africa,” he said. “I wanted to tick that box. My first time was special. I lined up alongside my two brothers: Bonakele and Johannes.”
Having first run the race in 2019, this year marked Vilakazi’s fourth appearance. While the route is familiar to him, each edition brings its own challenges. “This year was different,” he said. “We had less wind, which was great, but the humidity made it tricky. Honestly, I prefer wind over humidity”
Leading up to race day, Vilakazi was both physically strong and mentally focused, thanks to months of consistent training under his coach, Tumelo Mosia. “Our programme covered everything, from speed work and hill repeats, to strength training and long runs,” he said.
Race day itself tested Vilakazi’s resilience. Running alongside his training partner, Sibonelo Gumede, he kept pace until around the 16km mark, where he began to fade slightly. “I let him go ahead and dropped my pace to recover. The cramps hit at 38km, but I refused to give up,” he recalled.
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The most challenging part of the route, according to Vilakazi, was Constantia Nek, a well-known uphill section. “It hit me when I was at my lowest, but the support from my running mates gave me the push I needed to fight through.”
And fight he did. As the finish line came into view, Vilakazi called on the crowd for support. “The energy was electrifying, they helped me finish stronger than I had expected.”
Behind every runner is a support system, and Vilakazi is no exception. “My family, especially my parents and my son, have always been there for me. My colleagues at MultiChoice, and friends from church also kept me in their prayers,” he said.
He also credits Team Titanium for keeping him motivated. “They hold me accountable, even on tough days. Their passion drives me to push myself.”
To fuel his training, Vilakazi sticks to a simple, effective approach. “I carb-load with pap in the week leading to the race for glycogen. I also use 32Gi electrolyte products. They’ve worked well for me.”
Reflecting on this year’s race, Vilakazi said the experience reminded him of his strength and determination. “I learned that I’m a soldier. I won’t surrender until the job is done.”
For those considering the Two Oceans Marathon, his advice is clear: “Get a coach who understands your needs and can guide your training. Follow a structured plan and you’ll not only finish the race; you’ll want to run it again. It truly is the most beautiful marathon in the world.”
With the Two Oceans behind him, Vilakazi now sets his sights on the legendary Comrades Marathon, ready to use every lesson learnt to improve and inspire.
“Comrades is the next big goal,” he said. “We’re going to bring our best.”
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