Last week Monica was visiting Cape town from Windhoek, Namibia, for the annual Mining Indaba held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, and she asked if Run Cape Town could custom-make an 18km running tour for her, following the route of the 2 Oceans Half Marathon.  Inspired by this request, we made some minor adaptations to the route (avoiding the highways that are usually closed for the event) and scouted out a beautiful 18km run that included the best that this world-famous half marathon has to offer …

Since the first race held in 1970, The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon has become known as “the world’s most beautiful marathon”, and it is not difficult to understand why.  The event is held over the Easter Weekend in Cape Town, and with pre-race activities at the expo, family day, and fun runs held on Easter Friday, there is something for every age/type of runner to participate in; from a 56m Nappy Dash for kids under 3 years to a 10km and 22km trail run, and the 56km Ultra Marathon.   

The most popular event is undoubtedly the Half Marathon, with just over 16 000 runners participating in the race in 2013!  The route begins in the Main Road of Rondebosch and winds its way through the beautiful, leafy suburbs of Newlands and Constantia.  The 56km Ultra Marathon, also a popular race attracting 10 0000 participants in 2013, covers the best of the Cape Peninsula, including the famously scenic Chapmans Peak Drive, Hout Bay and Constantia Nek.  Both the Half and Ultra Marathons end on the fields of the University of Cape Town. 

This year the Half and Ultra Marathons will be held on Saturday 19 April and the various fun runs and International Friendship Run, a scenic 5km run/walk through the City of Cape Town, past some of the city’s most famous landmarks, will be on Friday 17 April.

To find out more visit the website www.twooceansmarathon.org.za and with 67 days, 18 hours and 20 minutes to go there is still time to secure your entry and book some training runs with Run Cape Town – www.runcapetown.co.za/contact/ to ensure you’re racing-fit for the big day!