Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon to run via Ou Kaapse Weg

After weeks of intense discussions and close collaboration with the City of Cape Town and key stakeholders, it was confirmed that the Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon route will run along the detour route of Ou Kaapse Weg.

The recent devastating fires that raged along Cape Town’s Southern Peninsula, caused significant damage to Chapman’s Peak’s fragile vegetation. Since the fire, the section of the pass most affected (between Noordhoek to the top lookout point) has been closed regularly due to high winds and threatening rock falls.

“This is not a decision that was made lightly,” says Carol Vosloo, general manager of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC. “We are responsible for every single runner on Race Day, so all decisions were made with this in mind.”

“We remained hopeful that Chappies would be available to us until the very end. But it became clear that the extent of the damage done to the mountain, coupled with the vulnerability of the mountain pass to weather changes, would hold a significant safety risk for our runners and volunteers.

“It was simply a risk we were not willing to take, and we have always been very clear in our intention to place participants’ safety at the forefront of all planning.”

It isn’t the first time that the Ultra Marathon has run over Ou Kaapse Weg.

“Ou Kaapse Weg as a detour route is not a new concept to us, and our team can now move forward to make the necessary logistical changes to facilitate this change,” Ms Vosloo adds.

This detour route was used for four years between 2000 and 2003, when Chapman’s Peak was originally closed while the tunnels and catchment nets were being constructed.

The Ou Kaapse Weg detour route starts in Main Road, Newlands, and takes runners along the scenic South Peninsula route, through Fish Hoek and into Kommetjie.  But, instead of heading towards Chapman’s Peak, runners will turn towards and over Ou Kaapse Weg, from where they will run along the leafy Spaanschemat River Road. They will then join the Half Marathon route at the Ladies Mile / Parish Road intersection before heading onto Southern Cross Drive to follow the Half Marathon route along Rhodes Drive and the M3 back to UCT.

The distance remains the same.

“Although it is disappointing that the Ultra Marathon will not traverse Chappies, a ‘certain’ race over Ou Kaapse Weg is preferable to one that may be interrupted if routed over Chapman’s Peak Drive,” Ms Vosloo concludes.

Record-breaking R1-million bonus stands

Despite the route change, Old Mutual’s R1-million bonus remains in place, rewarding the winning male and female runners who respectively breaks the 56km Ultra Marathon record.

The men’s record of 3:03:44 was set in 1988 by road running legend Thompson Magawana, while Frith van der Merwe set the women’s record a year later in 1989 when she ran 3:30:36.

This will be the 16th year that Old Mutual sponsors this prestigious road race.

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra and Half Marathons are scheduled to take place on Easter Saturday, 4 April 2015.  Some 27 000 runners are expected to participate in the event that is globally known as the world’s most beautiful marathon.

For more information, visit www.twooceansmarathon.org.za. Runners can also join the online conversation on www.facebook.com/TwoOceansMarathon, @2OceansMarathon on Twitter and Instagram (and by following and using the #OMTOM2015 hashtag).

SA Track Champs showdown attracts track cycling cream

Craig Dutton/Gameplan Media

The Hector Norris Park Cycling Track in Turffontein will play host to the 2015 South African National Track Championships from 7-11 April and the top names in track cycling are expected to be lining up on the Highveld with an eye on a national championship crown and the South African striped jersey at the end of the event.

Central Commissioner for track cycling in Gauteng and member of the organising committee, Angela Scullard, is hoping that the event draws the best in South Africa to Johannesburg and knows that with the best comes intense competition.

“We are expecting to get the best riders in the country at the national championships in two weeks,” Scullard said. “The likes of Nolan Hoffman and Morne van Niekerk as well as Maroesjka Matthee in the ladies and sprinters like Jean Smith will make the event hugely entertaining and will draw in the crowds due to the high level of competition.”

Cycling SA has allowed provinces, teams and clubs to enter for the team events like Team Sprint and Team Pursuit. At the SA Track Championships, riders will be able to qualify for points for major international competitions.

“The Hector Norris Track is a fast track and we are hoping to see some records broken this year. The last time we had the champs there was in 2007 and there were some records broken so if the conditions are right then we should see records tumble,” said Scullard.

“Hosting the event in Johannesburg does bring with it the difference in conditions compared to the rest of the country. The conditions will play a role for a number of the riders that are coming to the Highveld from the coast.”

Tsogo Sun bets on SA’s oldest sprint race

One of South Africa’s top horseracing events and the only sprint event with four Grade 1 races in one day has been given a major boost by virtue of Tsogo Sun adding its name and prestige to the event – the Tsogo Sun Sprint – scheduled to be held on 23 May 2015 at Scottsville Race Course in Pietermaritzburg.

First run in 1962, South Africa’s oldest, biggest and richest sprint event, previously known as the Golden Horse Sprint, is one of the six top race days held annually in South Africa and is this year offering over R3 million in prize money.

“Tsogo Sun has been a partner to the Golden Horse Sprint for 14 years and is now taking its support to a new level by changing the name to the Tsogo Sun Sprint,” says Jacques Booysen, MD of Tsogo Sun, who explains that Tsogo Sun’s Golden Horse Casino holds the enviable position of being the only casino in Africa to be located on a racecourse.

“We’re excited about this new strategic direction that is seeing the group ‘adopt’ key sporting events to the extent of taking on the naming rights to the event. We believe this is a win-win partnership with the City of Pietermaritzburg that will see the Tsogo Sun Sprint being elevated by the opportunity to leverage the Tsogo Sun brand, as well as for the group, which is extending its reach into the thrilling and fast-paced world of horseracing. In fact, this was an opportunity not to be missed as we recognised that changing the name would raise the profile of the casino, the group and the city.”

Last year the group launched its headline sponsorship of the Tsogo Sun Amashova Cycle Challenge in Durban, which heralded a new beginning for both brands. It was the first time that Tsogo Sun embarked on a title sponsorship and it was a clear indication of Tsogo Sun’s belief in the cycle challenge as one that has enormous potential for growth and appeal to its target market.

“The Tsogo Sun Sprint also holds great potential for growth and we trust that our partnership with the City of Pietermaritzburg will give the event the opportunity to expand beyond its sound foundation to one that appeals to a far wider audience among horseracing enthusiasts and entertainment-seekers all over the country,” Booysen adds. The race day will be marketed by Tsogo Sun in nine provinces for the first time, through all Tsogo Sun casinos, on every casino floor and in every hotel room, and on TV and radio.

Graeme Hawkins, Racing Director of Gold Circle Horseracing and Betting, says that the significant investment by Tsogo Sun will give the Tsogo Sun Sprint a much-valued boost in terms of positioning Pietermaritzburg as a horseracing destination in South Africa. “Scottsville is a lovely track steeped in tradition, and we believe this new partnership with Tsogo Sun in a top event on the horseracing calendar will bring the horseracing aficionados flooding in to experience the thrills and highlights of the day. We’re extremely grateful to Tsogo Sun for coming on board and we trust this will be a worthwhile relationship for the group for many years to come,” Hawkins adds.

Tsogo Sun’s partnership with the City of Pietermaritzburg began in 2014 when the City participated in the race for the first time. The city’s objective is to support an event that takes place in the heart of the city and has the potential to bring footfall into Pietermaritzburg. Mayor of Pietermaritzburg, Chris Ndlela, says the City of Pietermaritzburg is delighted to be a part of the Tsogo Sun Sprint. “We believe that this new alignment with the Tsogo Sun brand will add impetus to the event and will help to position Pietermaritzburg more strongly on the South African map and drive tourism in the area.”

The four Grade 1 sprint races – races with a field of the most elite horses from all around South Africa and offering 1 200 metres of speed, power and skill – include the Tsogo Sun Sprint, an ‘open race’ for both fillies and geldings with a top prize of R1 million; the Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion, a race for two-year-old geldings with a prize of R600 000; City of Pietermaritzburg Filly Sprint, for fillies only with a prize of R600 000; the Allan Robertson (founder of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association of SA in 1921) Championship for two-year-old fillies with a prize of R600 000; as well as smaller charity and other races.

Tsogo Sun’s vision is to be the premier entertainment destination in the catchment area where its properties are located. Sizwe Jantjie, Tsogo Sun Marketing Manager, says, “The sponsorship of this race strengthens the group’s position as the place to go for entertainment and for creating great experiences. The Tsogo Sun Sprint will be an exhilarating day of pace and power, great style and African flair, as well as a host of added entertainment options.”

Knox & Evans back for Nedbank sani2c title defence

With little over six weeks to go until the starter’s gun fires and sends participants of the 2015 Nedbank sani2c on their way, defending champions Kevin Evans and Max Knox have confirmed they will be back again in an attempt to retain their title.

The eleventh edition of the hugely popular three day mountain biking stage race from Glencairn Farm in Underberg to Scottburgh Main Beach on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast gets underway on 12 May when the Trail event commences and is hotly followed by the start of the Adventure a day later.

The sport’s racing snakes take to the trails for the first time on Thursday 14 May and will come home in front of a sizeable crowd in Scottburgh on Saturday 16 May with Biogen-Volcan’s pairing of Evans and Knox eager to ensure it is them who reach this point fastest.

“In the ten years of the sani2c’s existence, Kevin (Evans) has won it six times and myself three!” explains 27 year-old Knox.

“There has only been one year since the start of this prestigious race that at least one of us haven’t stood on the podium so it’s definitely a race we enjoy and are keen to do well in again in 2015!”

Knox believes the pair’s unrivalled success at the event means the pressure usually associated with the defending champions label is significantly reduced.

“We’ve won it before and there’s no real pressure for us to get number seven or number four respectively.

“We can afford to a bit more laid back in the build up to this year’s event and let the others worry about the racing ahead of time.

“Come race day, we’ll definitely be looking to defend our title though!”

Kyle Gilham/
Gameplan Media

The sani2c carries added sentimental importance for Knox who has close family ties to the race’s start town in the Southern Drakensberg while a disappointing 23rd overall finishing at the recent ABSA Cape Epic has given the duo added motivation to put in another strong showing.

“My uncle lives in Underberg, my cousins own the local Spar up there, I even spent some of my childhood years living there so to take part in the sani2c and do well in that particular race really means a lot to me!”

“Kev and I have received fantastic support from Biogen, Volcan and a few others so far this season and had a really good start to the year with a couple of positive results.

“Epic unfortunately didn’t go according to plan for us so it really would be a special treat for our sponsors if we were able to get the win at sani(2c) again.”

The experienced marathon racing pair have opted for contrasting Cape Epic recovery regimes in the build up to this year’s sani2c however do not believe this will be an issue given the understanding they have of one another’s racing style.

“We’re both busy recovering from Epic at the moment before Kev then looks to ride the (Old Mutual) joBerg2c with a friend as a training block ahead of sani2c.

“Being ten years older than me, that extra mileage is something Kev has learnt works for him however I know that’s not for me. I’ll just be doing the Ashburton race in Clarens between now and sani(2c).

“Our different approaches aren’t an issue for us; we’ve ridden together many times before and we know each other’s racing styles really well.

“We’re both have quite an aggressive, attacking riding style and mentality we’re also quite similar in that we both really enjoy winning and are super competitive,” adds Knox.

While the likes of Scott Factory Racing powered by LCB’s Philip Buys, Matthys Beukes, Arno du Toit and Gert Heyns, Full Dynamix’s duo of Rourke Croeser and Travis Walker as well as Kargo Pro MTB’s Brendon Davids and Alan Hatherly won’t be on this year’s sani2c start line due to their UCI MTB World Cup commitments, Knox still expects a still challenge at the front of the men’s race.

“Even though some of the cross country specialists will be missing this year, it will still be a great field I’m sure and anyone with a number board on the front of their bike is a competitor you have to worry about; you can’t write anyone off.

“The Epic just showed how much stronger the local mountain biking scene is getting and I’m sure it’s going to be another really tough race at this year’s sani2c!” says Knox.

More information can be found at www.sani2c.co.za

2015 Neon Run

It’s the most fun you can have in the dark! South Africa’s electric night-time spectacular has gone national with Neon Run™ 2015 taking place with five fun-filled festivals at major city centres.

Join thousands of runners, joggers and walkers decked out in all manner of glow and neon paraphernalia as they complete the course and manoeuvre through glow stations before celebrating at the post-race party with a dazzling laser light show.

The Neon Runs take place in the following South African centres:

 11 April – Port Elizabeth, St George’s Park
 18 April – Cape Town, Kenilworth Race Course
 25 April – Bloemfontein, Chevrolet Park
 9 May – Durban, Sun Coast lawns, Sun Coast Casino
 16 May – Johannesburg, Wanderers Stadium

Performing will be some of South Africa’s top musicians and DJs.

5FM’s Nick Hamman will serve as master of ceremonies for all five neon events with Cape Town based DJ Chris Taylor – known for playing uplifting progressive house and electro – as resident DJ for Neon Run South Africa™. 5FM DJ Vic Naidoo will appear in all five cities; Roger Goode will take to the stage in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Johannesburg and DJ Fresh will appear in Bloemfontein and Durban.

Also on the line-up are explosive electro-swing act Goodluck (Port Elizabeth); Grassy Spark with their unique fusion of ska-blend and other genres (Cape Town); Sama winning house band Mi Casa (Cape Town and Johannesburg);

Afrikaans kwela folk artist Oros in ‘n Lang Glas (Bloemfontein); rock 'n roll and Indie Kwela pop band Desmond & the Tutus (Bloemfontein and Durban); electro, rock, dance, folk and hip-hop group iScream & the Chocolate Stix (Durban); Rubber Duc (Johannesburg) with their folk-swing-hop sound  and The Illustrators (Johannesburg).

Gates open at 15h00 with music throughout the event while the race starts at 18h30.

A beer tent and food stalls are available.

The cost is R250 per person, under 11s play R90 while if four people or more book the price is R200 a person. Every ticket includes entry into race, the music festival, glow sticks and an official Neon Run head band.

People purchasing tickets for Neon Run™ will have the option of donating money to the Neon Run™ Fire Fighters & Victims Aid Fund. This voluntary donation can be anything from R1 upwards, which will go directly to the fund, and will be added onto the cost of the original ticket.

The 2015 tour includes more UV, neon paint, graffiti walls and lasers than ever before with participants at each event in line to win amazing prizes including the use of a Mitsubishi car for a year. Those Discovery members taking part also get Discovery points.

Partners for Neon Run South Africa 2015 include 5FM, Discovery Vitality, Flying Fish, Four Fire, Lorna Jane, Medal Paints, Mitsubishi Motors, Nu Tickets, Orbit, Planet Fitness and Thirst.

Tsogo Sun Duke of Edinburgh Cup to meet winter clothing needs of over 2 200 Diepsloot children

Children of Diepsloot will be the main beneficiaries of this year’s prestigious Tsogo Sun Duke of Edinburgh Cup amateur golf tournament, which will be played on Monday 20 April at the Country Club Johannesburg, on both the Woodmead and Rockland Courses.

The tournament represents the South African leg of the Duke of Edinburgh Cup, which is played annually in 10 different countries with the aim of raising funds to benefit children and young people in need.

“Tsogo Sun is proud to have been associated with the Duke of Edinburgh Cup for more than 10 years and it has always been a highlight on our annual calendar. Over the years we have raised a considerable amount for underprivileged children – and we look forward to the contribution we will make to children’s lives this year through the tournament,” says Noëleen Bruton, Group Marketing Director of Tsogo Sun.

More than 2 200 children from Grade 1 to Grade 7 at Muzomuhle Primary School, Diepsloot’s oldest and largest school, will benefit from funds raised through the charity-driven golf tournament this year. Tsogo Sun is handing over 2 200 anoraks, 400 pairs of school shoes and 300 school jerseys to help see the children through the winter months. “Many of these children go to school without either shoes or jerseys so we worked in partnership with the school to identify each child’s greatest needs,” says Bruton.

Unlike previous years, this year’s tournament was not made available to the public to purchase fourballs, but is by invitation only, giving Tsogo Sun the opportunity to thank their loyal and supportive card members. The winning pair from each of the two golf courses will qualify for one of amateur golf’s most coveted prizes – an invitation to participate in the exclusive Duke of Edinburgh Cup 2015 World Finals in England.

“The Duke of Edinburgh Championship is a truly memorable experience for everyone who participates – and this year we are delighted to directly impact over 2 200 school children by donating much-needed shoes and warm clothing,” says Bruton.

Top contenders & winning predictions for the 2015 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

With the 2015 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon just over a week away, the top contenders are readying themselves for a battle that promises to be an exhilarating display of long distance running.

In the men’s race, the big question is whether Hendrick Ramaala will have what it takes to take the crown. The SA Half Marathon record holder and multiple national champion has little Ultra Marathon experience – last year’s Two Oceans Marathon was his first foray into a race longer than a standard marathon – but according to respected athletics writer and statistician, Riël Hauman, the 43-year-old veteran enjoys the benefit of extensive international competition experience.

“He’d certainly not want to repeat the mistake of 2014 when he allowed Lebenya Nkoka to run away from him after the climb up Constantia Nek – and then finished much fresher than the winner in second place,” says Hauman.

“Only three South Africans have won in the last eleven years, but Ramaala could become the fourth if he judges his race correctly.”

Other gold medal contenders include Warinyane Lebopo (LES), who was fourth last year (and sixth the previous year), Michael Mazibuko (6th in 2014), Peter Muthubi, Motlokoa Nkhabutlane, who was second in 2011 but had a bad run last year and would surely be out to redeem himself, Moses Moeketsi Mosuhli (LES), who has four top ten finishes but did not finish in 2014, and Lucky Miya (21st in 2014).

Cape Town fans will have their eyes on Mthandazo Qhina, who was second in 2013 and ninth last year, and "local" Zimbabwean Bernard Rukadza, who last ran in 2011.

“But let’s not forget Ethiopia's Teshome Gelana, one of the fastest marathon runners in the field, who finished second in the Tiberias Marathon earlier this year in 2:12:33,” adds Hauman.

Gelana has an excellent performance record in international marathons. His compatriot Ketema Tadesse, who was fifth last year, is also running.

The women’s field will also be hotly contended, with some impressive names lining up at the start.

“Charné Bosman is a great candidate as the first South African winner since 2001 in the women’s race. She was second in 2013 and continued to take fifth (as the first South African) in the Comrades Marathon that same year before having had to pull out of the longer Ultra last year for health reasons.
“She is fully recovered and is South Africa's best Ultra Marathon runner at the moment. She has raced two comfortable marathons so far this year and should be ready.”

But Hauman also warns that Bosman’s focus on the Comrades Marathon in May could play a role in her race strategy next weekend.

“Defending champion Nina Podnebesnova (RUS) should start as favourite. She has not shown her hand since her comfortable win last year, apart from finishing second in the Russian Half Marathon Championships in September – in a personal best of 73:34 – so it will be interesting to see how she performs on 4 April.”

Ultra novice, Tanith Maxwell, has emerged as the dark horse for the Ultra Marathon. Maxwell is one of the country's best marathoners of the last ten years, who set her PB of 2:32:33 in the 2010 Berlin Marathon. Earlier this year she won the Cape Peninsula Marathon and finished second in the Gran Canaria Marathon (2:39:45). Her preparations have not been without problems, though, and she did not finish the Durban City Marathon.

Other top SA ultra runners in the race are Melanie van Rooyen, Julanie Basson and Zola Pieterse, who was eleventh last year. There are also the 2014 runner-up, Ethiopian Shitaye Gemechu Debellu, who won the Dallas Marathon last year, 2003 winner Simona Juhász-Staicu, who finished in the top five in all five her attempts, US ultra star Devon Yanko, whose third position in her 2012 Two Oceans Ultra debut is an indication of her ability, and Britain's Holly Rush, seventh in the Comrades two years ago.

In the Half Marathon, Lusapho April, fresh from a magnificent fourth place in the New York City Half Marathon in 61:21, should start as favourite (he won in 2010 and 2011 and was second in 2008 and 2013).

His Half Marathon time is easily the fastest by a South African this year, and he also leads the 15 km list with his 44:12 – in fact, the latter is the quickest in the world in 2015.

An experienced international marathoner who has twice won the Hannover Marathon, April will be challenged by athletes like Joel Mmone, who was second last year and earlier in March set a new personal best of 28:37 for 10 km, Sibabalwe Mzazi (third in 2014), Sibusiso Nzima, Xolisa Tyali, Derocious Makhobalo, who earlier this year was fifth in the SA 10 km but has not run the Two Oceans Half Marathon before, and David Manja, who was 19th last year.

The women’s race is wide open, with neither Dinah Lebo Phalula nor René Kalmer running. Mapaseka Makhanya, who came fourth in 2014, will line up at the start again, together with 2013 winner and course record setter Meseret Mengistu Biru (ETH) and Irvette van Zyl, who was second three years in a row (2010-2012).  Biru ran 72:43 two years ago (she has a PB of 69:31) and since then won the Cape Town Marathon (2:30:57) and Soweto Marathon.

Biru should start as favourite, but could be challenged by the likes of Christine Kalmer and Jenna Challenor, who ran brilliantly in last year's World Half Marathon Championships and has already won three races this year, as well as Nolene Conrad, who recently set a new PB of 33:20 for 10 km.

“And then, of course, there’s Cape Town’s big little hope, the precocious Annie Bothma in her first senior year,” says Hauman.

“She set a WP junior record of 79:09 for the Half Marathon last year and this year has brought her 10 km PB down to 34:39. The only thing counting against this youngster – who will surely develop into a star over the next decade and more – is that the tough course may not suit her frail build.

Watch the drama unfold on 4 April 2015.

For more information, visit www.twooceansmarathon.org.za. Runners can also join the online conversation on www.facebook.com/TwoOceansMarathon, @2OceansMarathon on Twitter and Instagram (and by following and using the #OMTOM2015 hashtag).