THE Two Oceans Marathon, a mainstay in South Africa’s athletic scene since 1970, once again drew a multitude of runners from far and wide, including The Bluff and Yellowwood Park athletic clubs, on April 13 and 14.
What started with a mere 26 runners facing an unprecedented challenge has blossomed into a globally recognised event. Entrants embarked on the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon, a demanding yet awe-inspiring 56km route that meanders around the captivating Cape Peninsula.
Also read: Local athletes complete Two Oceans Ultra Marathon
In 2023, nearly 11 000 runners braved the demanding course, and this year witnessed an even larger turnout, with approximately 14 000 athletes gearing up to conquer the challenge.
Among the participants were members of The Bluff Athletic Club (BAC). Brett Grandin took on the 56km ultra-marathon. Despite encountering obstacles during the race, resulting in a slightly extended finish time of 05:17:00, he expressed, “This was an incredible experience. I definitely aim to run it again and hopefully improve my time.”
Grandin crossed the finish line alongside his fellow BAC member, Brett Hoskins, who completed the 56km race in 05:19:50, securing the 2 371th position. Hoskins enthusiastically shared his sentiments, stating, “I adore running in Cape Town. Two Oceans is arguably my favourite race, second only to the Cape Town Marathon, due to the stunning vistas along Chapman’s Peak and the unwavering support from locals during the event.”
Another participant, Daniel Human, echoed these feelings, hailing the Two Oceans Marathon as ‘The most beautiful marathon in the world’. For Human, this year’s event marked his fifth ultra-marathon.
Representing the Yellowwood Park Athletic Club, Keenan Clothier embraced his longest distance yet, successfully completing the 56km run. Clothier described the experience as tough but immensely rewarding, particularly highlighting the breathtaking views along the route.
“My time was 05:51:15 and position was 4 497th out of 10 175 runners. I was really happy to make it before the seven-hour cut-off time, knowing this was my first 56km run. Winning a bronze medal just made it so much more worth it,” said Clothier.
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