27-02-2008, 11:29 AM
Bethuel Netshifhefhe and Madina Biktagirova, the men's and women's winners of last year's Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, will both be back to defend their titles when the 39th running of the 56-kilometre ultra-marathon takes place in Cape Town on 22 March.
Netshifhefhe, who won in a time of 03:07:56, was the first South African to win the ultra since 2003, when Mluleki Nobanda took line honours.
In the four years preceding his victory, the race had been dominated by Zimbabwean runners.
First ultra
Russian athlete Biktagirova won in her first attempt at an ultra-distance event in 03:35:04, which was the second fastest time ever in the Two Oceans ultra.
Her time was still quite some distance behind Frith van der Merwe's record of 03:30:36, which she set in 1989. In the same year, Van der Merwe won the Comrades in an astonishing record time of 5:54:43, which was good for 15th place overall.
Just over 18 500 participants have entered for the 56km and 21km events, with the half marathon yet again attracting a record field. Just over 11 000 people have signed up for it, making it the largest half marathon in the country.
Entries
Entries in the ultra marathon are slightly down on 2007's number, but this can be attributed to March being a busy month for ultra athletes, with the Argus Cycle Tour, Old Mutual Om die Dam Marathon, Cape Epic and the Ironman all taking place within weeks of each other.
Another factor is that the race is taking place about three weeks earlier than usual, due to Easter falling earlier this year.
According to race director Rowyn James there has been an increase in runners taking part in the shorter distances and, while the ultra remains the flagship event, the half marathon will be where the growth will occur.
Female participation
"What is interesting to see is that the major increase has been in the women's field in the half marathon. Almost 45% of the 21km field is women," he said.
full story - Two Oceans champs back in 2008 - preview
Netshifhefhe, who won in a time of 03:07:56, was the first South African to win the ultra since 2003, when Mluleki Nobanda took line honours.
In the four years preceding his victory, the race had been dominated by Zimbabwean runners.
First ultra
Russian athlete Biktagirova won in her first attempt at an ultra-distance event in 03:35:04, which was the second fastest time ever in the Two Oceans ultra.
Her time was still quite some distance behind Frith van der Merwe's record of 03:30:36, which she set in 1989. In the same year, Van der Merwe won the Comrades in an astonishing record time of 5:54:43, which was good for 15th place overall.
Just over 18 500 participants have entered for the 56km and 21km events, with the half marathon yet again attracting a record field. Just over 11 000 people have signed up for it, making it the largest half marathon in the country.
Entries
Entries in the ultra marathon are slightly down on 2007's number, but this can be attributed to March being a busy month for ultra athletes, with the Argus Cycle Tour, Old Mutual Om die Dam Marathon, Cape Epic and the Ironman all taking place within weeks of each other.
Another factor is that the race is taking place about three weeks earlier than usual, due to Easter falling earlier this year.
According to race director Rowyn James there has been an increase in runners taking part in the shorter distances and, while the ultra remains the flagship event, the half marathon will be where the growth will occur.
Female participation
"What is interesting to see is that the major increase has been in the women's field in the half marathon. Almost 45% of the 21km field is women," he said.
full story - Two Oceans champs back in 2008 - preview