Two Oceans Ultra, Cape Town

Report by Sally Johnston

Running has many benefits, for some of us, it is a time to think! Whilst running across Garhoud bridge and admiring the beauty of the creek early Saturday morning, my mind was cast back upon a beauty of a race so close to my heart. The Two Oceans 56km ultra marathon,Cape town,South Africa. 

Two of our very own talented ABRaS members, Jane Khan and Hamid Khan came to mind amongst some of my other running friends  from Dubai, South Africa and Zimbabwe. They were competing, on Saturday 7th April 2012, with over 10 000 competitors in this Ultra Marathon. It is sincerely  a spectacular race whereby the route takes in both the Indian and Atlantic Ocean,  mountainous regions of Chapman’s Peak, Constantia Nek, the forest and finishing on the majestic grounds of the University of Cape Town. The most spectacular scenery and atmosphere may be witnessed along route.

This year one could say appreciating the scenery was debatable!! Upon completing my morning run I was stunned when I began checking the website and  live streaming the Two Oceans Race; the conditions of this years race were extremely challenging to say the least!!! Rain, gusty winds and icy cold!!….. for most of the duration, if not the entire race up to the cut off time of 7hrs. If you are familiar with the wind speed and weather of the cape at this time of the year,it is always a gamble when competing in this race. It is in conditions like this that hyperthermia can set in. Jane  and Hamid Khan battled against these environmental elements on race day, yet finished extremely well. Jane Khan  4:41:21 and Hamid Khan 4:57:18. Congratulations to you both. A fine effort. Awesome staying power and determination were displayed by both of them. Sincerely hope the weather improves for the rest of their visit to the Cape!