Two Oceans road race returns with some changes

The popular Two Oceans Marathon will return to the domestic road running calendar next year, organisers have confirmed, with the event being held over two days due to health and safety regulations.

Launched in 1970, the annual race in Cape Town was cancelled for the first time in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, and it was called off again this year.

With government lifting restrictions, however, as mass participation events resumed in recent weeks, organisers confirmed the Two Oceans race would be held on 16 and 17 April next year.

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“Navigating the challenges brought about by the pandemic has forced us to look at things differently and respond in an acutely agile manner as we go along.,” Two Oceans race director Debra Barnes said on Friday.

“We want to celebrate the strength of spirit of our runners, many of whom will have overcome some of life’s greatest challenges to be at the start line in April 2022.”

In order to meet social distancing requirements and ensure full fields in both races, the half-marathon would be held on the Saturday and the 56km contest was scheduled to take place on the Sunday.

All entrants would be required to present proof of vaccination or a negative antigen test within 48 hours of the event, and no spectators would be allowed.

The opening date for entries would be “announced soon”.