Some interesting facts about the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

Did you know?

- The Two Oceans Marathon was held over the Easter Weekend for the first time in 1974.

- Only 26 runners took part in the first Two Oceans Marathon in 1970 and only 15 completed the race.

- Theresa Stadler at the age of 40, was the first female runner to enter the Two Oceans Marathon. Although finishing outside the cut-off time, she paved the way for female runners. Ulla Paul, a mother of three, was the first female runner to complete the race within the official six hour limit.

- Derek Preiss became the first and only male runner to win both the Two Oceans and the Comrades in the same year. He managed to repeat this feat in 1975.

- Male nurse, George ‘Goodenough’ Qokweni and eight runners from the Paarl East Athletic Club were the first runners to demolish the racial barriers when they ran in the Two Oceans in 1975.

- In 1988, Thompson Magawana broke two world records and established a course record (3 hours 3 minutes 44 seconds) for the ultra marathon (56km) – a record that has yet to be bettered or equaled.

- The First Friday Run, which caters for runners whose beliefs prevent them from running on a Saturday, was first introduced in 1990.