The 2017 edition of the Old Mutual Two Oceans has confirmed the race as a premier world class event justifying the trip for approximately 3000 foreign runners.
Two Oceans success across the distances
This proved a lucrative trip for Maryna Damantsevich from Belarus winning the women’s 56 km ultra and Namakoe Nkhasi of Lesotho winning the men’s 21 for consecutive years and improving his jointly held record to one all of his own.
Irvette van Zyl emulated her success of last year and the men’s 56 for the first time since 1973 returned to Cape hands.
Lungile Gongqa of Nedbank WP clocked 3:09’43 for a comfortable 38 second victory.
Both the 21 at 16000 and the 56 at 11000 reached capacity and runners were treated to a comfortable start of 14 degrees and a high around 22.
The windy conditions did not hamper the runners on a traditionally testing, but exquisitely beautiful coastal route in the ultra 56.
The race day was preceded by three days of an Expo and registration in the centre of the city of Cape Town.
Organization was the usual efficiently run process at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and the Expo worth the time to look at suppliers’ merchandise.
The only drawback is the lack of parking and access to the centre.
Once this frustration was forgotten the runners could prepare for one of the truly great races anywhere on the planet.
Judging from post race comments this is a widely regarded view.
contribution: Peter Wrensch
see race report – Gongqa wins Two Oceans for the Cape
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