10-02-2010, 05:54 PM
Entries for the countryââ¬â¢s biggest half marathon, the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, which takes place on Easter Saturday 3 April, have reached the 11 000 mark and race organisers are accepting no further entries.
As of this morning, the race office had processed 10 501 half marathon entries, 95% of which were received online. ââ¬ÅWe always expected to close the half marathon entries ahead of the March 3 deadline, and anticipated that it would be around the second week of February and we were accurate with our prediction,ââ¬Â said race director Rowyn James.
He added that over the past few months most road running events around the country have attracted record fields and there has been a renewed interest in road running, particularly in ultra marathon running, which is extremely positive for the sport.
The flagship event, the 56km ultra marathon, currently has just on 2 600 entries and the race office is expecting to see that increase significantly over the next three weeks with most of the major qualifying events taking place around the country during February.
Participants are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as they have completed their qualifying marathon to avoid possible disappointment. Ultra marathon entries close on March 3, or when 11 000 entries are reached ââ¬â whichever comes first.
No late entries will be taken after the cut off date but representatives will be at the Seeff Weskus Marathon in Langebaan on March 6 and at the Vaal Marathon in VanderBijl Park on March 7, to take ultra entries only. These representatives will be taking hand delivered ultra entries and ultra entries from participants who have just qualified. There will be no online entries accepted after the March 3 cut off.
Title sponsor Old Mutual also announced this week that well-known journalist and professional coach, Norrie Williamson, will take over the reigns as the Virtual Coach. While Norrie has some extremely big shoes to fill, he brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and experience in the road running arena and is an accomplished athlete in his own right. This year Norrie will run his tenth Two Oceans half marathon and is dedicating his run to Dave Spence and will head up the 2-hour pace bus.
As of this morning, the race office had processed 10 501 half marathon entries, 95% of which were received online. ââ¬ÅWe always expected to close the half marathon entries ahead of the March 3 deadline, and anticipated that it would be around the second week of February and we were accurate with our prediction,ââ¬Â said race director Rowyn James.
He added that over the past few months most road running events around the country have attracted record fields and there has been a renewed interest in road running, particularly in ultra marathon running, which is extremely positive for the sport.
The flagship event, the 56km ultra marathon, currently has just on 2 600 entries and the race office is expecting to see that increase significantly over the next three weeks with most of the major qualifying events taking place around the country during February.
Participants are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as they have completed their qualifying marathon to avoid possible disappointment. Ultra marathon entries close on March 3, or when 11 000 entries are reached ââ¬â whichever comes first.
No late entries will be taken after the cut off date but representatives will be at the Seeff Weskus Marathon in Langebaan on March 6 and at the Vaal Marathon in VanderBijl Park on March 7, to take ultra entries only. These representatives will be taking hand delivered ultra entries and ultra entries from participants who have just qualified. There will be no online entries accepted after the March 3 cut off.
Title sponsor Old Mutual also announced this week that well-known journalist and professional coach, Norrie Williamson, will take over the reigns as the Virtual Coach. While Norrie has some extremely big shoes to fill, he brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and experience in the road running arena and is an accomplished athlete in his own right. This year Norrie will run his tenth Two Oceans half marathon and is dedicating his run to Dave Spence and will head up the 2-hour pace bus.