56km Ultra Marathon
The endurance runner's virtual guide for the 56km Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon includes information on the route, how to enter, change of entries / substitutions, the Two Oceans expo and registration, race day information, training for your event, medical assistance and the publishing of results.
3 April 2010 at 06h25
Important Information
In 2010 all South African entrants entering for the Ultra Marathon must be in possession of a valid provincial athletics licence. In order to obtain a valid 2010 licence entrants must be registered with an athletics club affiliated with Athletics South Africa (ASA). The club information must be provided upon entering. Temporary licences will not be available for the 2010 ultra marathon.
The Old Mutual Two Oceans marathon will remain on the traditional route via Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay and Constantia Nek. Should it be deemed unsafe by authorities at a later stage, you will be notified.
Minimum age for participation
Entrants must be no younger than 20 on the day of the race.
Qualifying Criteria
All standard marathons and other races longer than 42.2 km will count as qualifying races, provided that they are held under the auspices of the IAAF (or ASA in South Africa).
Qualifying Period
The qualifying period is from 1 September 2009 to 3 March 2010. All runners are required to have run a qualifying marathon or longer distance in specified times (see table below).
International runners are encouraged to comply to the same requirements as South African runners (to have run a qualifying marathon or ultra marathon in the months leading up to the race). For this reason we have extended the qualifying period to any race since the last Two Oceans Marathon. In the unlikely event of International runners unable to run a qualifying marathon within this period they may enter the race, but they will start at the back.
Qualifying Standards
In order to qualify to run the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, runners must have completed the distance indicated below in the time next to the distance:
| Distance | Time |
| 42.2 km | sub 5:00 |
| 50 km | sub 6:30 |
| 56 km | sub 7:00 |
| 90 km | sub 12:00 |
| 100+ km | sub 13:30 |
Qualifying Races
View the qualifying races for 2010. Should you not find the details of the race you are interested in, please contact us with information about that race (name, date and link to information or a race flyer). entries@twooceansmarathon.org.za
Seeding
Each runner’s qualifying times since 1 September in the year prior to the event, are used to seed them – faster runners in the front and slower runners at the back. International runners can use any race since the last Two Oceans Marathon.
Seeding updates
Seeding changes will be done during the period 4 - 10 March 2010 only.
Seeding groups
The seeding table is the same as what was used in 2009. All 2009 Gold & Silver Medallists will be seeded in Group A. Runners wearing Blue and Yellow numbers will be seeded behind the C group unless they qualify for a higher group.
Entry Fees
South African Entrants
Runners who own a timing chip: R150
Runners who do not own a chip or have lost their chip: R245
African Entrants
Runners who own a timing chip: R195 (R150 entry fee + R45 temporary licence fee)
Runners who do not own a chip or have lost their chip: R290
Overseas Entrants
Runners who own timing chip: R700
Runners who do not own a chip or have lost their chip: R795
Please note that entry fees are not refundable under any circumstances.
Enter online
You can enter online by visiting Two Oceans Marathon.
Enter via post
For postal entries, please download the entry form here, complete it in full and send your entry via registered or priority mail, or deliver it in person to the Two Oceans offices.
Post completed entry form to
PO Box 2276, Clareinch 7740
If you are hand delivering your entry form, please drop it off before 19:00 on 3 March 2010 at:
Two Oceans Marathon
Colstine Terrace, 88 Belvedere Road
Claremont 7708
Tel: 021 657 5140
You are advised to make photocopies of entry forms, cheques, postal orders, etc as proof of entry in case of queries. We suggest you send your entry via registered or priority mail, or deliver it in person to our offices. We do not accept faxed or emailed entry forms.
Please note that an incomplete entry form or insufficient funds attached to the entry form may result in the form being posted back to you. Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon reserves the right to accept or reject any entry. Please do not send more than one entry - you will not be refunded for additional entries (one person equals one entry).
Closing date for entries
The closing date for entries is Wednesday 3 March 2010. Please note that should 11,000 entries be received before the closing date, that the entries will then close at that stage.
No late entries will be accepted. Runners cannot enter if they have not yet qualified. Postal entries must reach the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon office no later than 3 March 2010.
Acknowledgement of entry
Entries can be confirmed on Two Oceans Marathon by clicking on confirm entry and printing the acknowledgement page. Entries will also be acknowledged to valid e-mail addresses (as supplied). Please ensure that you bring a form of entry acknowledgement, your ChampionChip and ID document (or permanent residence permit) to registration, which takes place from Wednesday 31 March to Friday 2 April 2010.
Timing
All runners will be required to wear a timing chip on one of their shoes during the race. The timing chip must be registered in the runner's name and not belong to someone else. Runners who do not own a timing chip (or have lost theirs) must enclose the additional timing chip fee of R95 with their entry fee. Runners who have ordered timing chips can collect them at registration when they register for the race. Runners who lose their timing chips after entering or have left them at home will be able to buy a new timing chip at Registration. Remember: No chip, No Result. There will be no exceptions made if a chip is not used!
It is compulsory to have your timing chip at registration in order to collect your race pack with race numbers etc. The timing chip becomes your property after the race and can be used for all events in SA that use the same timing system. Please ensure that you keep your chip in a safe place after the race in order to avoid having to buy a new chip.
Upgrades (at the cost of R150), downgrades (at cost of R100), substitutions (at cost of R200) and seeding updates will be permitted only between 4 March and 10 March (inclusive). Entry fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.
Runners should refrain from entering the Half Marathon if they intend running the Ultra. Runners, who have entered the Half Marathon and later qualify to run the Ultra within the qualifying period, may change their entry to the Ultra at a cost of R150.
No entry fee refunds will be done under any circumstances. No changes to an entry will be done at Registration.
The Old Mutual Two Oceans marathon registration and expo takes place from 31 March – 2 April 2010 at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town, offering visitors all there is to know about running.
It is compulsory to register (collect race numbers) before the race to receive your race numbers and related items. Registration will take place at the Good Hope Centre, Sir Lowry Road, Cape Town (on the corner of Oswald Pirow Street), from Wednesday 31 March to Friday 2 April (Opening times: Wed -Thurs, 10:00 - 19:00; Friday 09:00 - 19:00).
To ensure you have a trouble-free registration, please ensure you bring the following with you when you collect your race number and goody bag at the Expo:
- Race acknowledgement: If you have not yet received one, please visit Two Oceans Marathon and click on confirm my entry, enter your name, click on summary and print this out. This can be used as your proof of entry for registration purposes.
- ID document/drivers licence/passport: This is very important – you will need some form of identification in order to register for your race.
- ChampionChip: If you already own a ChampionChip, bring it along so that you can confirm your details. If you have purchased one for the event, you will receive it when you register.
Race Packs
At Registration runners will receive their race packs including race number(s), registration bags and T-shirts. All Ultra Marathon entrants will receive a Puma technical garment with their race pack at registration. Please ensure you indicate your correct size on the entry form as no exchanges will be allowed at registration.
Runners who ordered timing chips will also receive these at registration. Runners may not claim their registration bags, timing chips, race number(s) and T-shirts after registration closes. Runners who do not collect their timing chips at registration will not be refunded, nor will the timing chips be forwarded to them.
The 20-week training programme - for the 56km - to help you prepare for Old Mutual Two Oceans marathon 2010 was compiled by the late Virtual Coach Dave Spence.
Race & Pace Calculator
The Old Mutual Two Oceans race and pace calculator can help you predict a realistic finish time for your race, specific to your distance, and provide you with a personalised pace table of split times.
Two Oceans Forum
Got questions about your training, need advice or want to have your say about the Two Oceans race in general? The Old Mutual Two Oceans team is here to answer your questions so visit them today.
On the Day
Race Numbers
Runners will receive two race numbers: it is imperative that runners fill in the medical information on the back of their race number. It must be worn without alteration one on the front, one on the back of the upper body garment. No race numbers are to be pinned on running shorts. Misuse of Race Numbers. Runners may not transfer their race numbers and/or timing chips to other runners. Any runner who is found guilty of breaking this rule will be banned from the race for 2 years.
Parking
Parking at UCT and near the start is limited. Runners are advised to share lifts to the start and to be dropped off within walking distance. Some of the schools near the start will provide parking.
The ‘Jammie Shuttle’ bus service will take runners back to the parking areas at the start free of charge. These will leave from 10:00 onwards from the UCT Indoor Sports Centre.
Tog Bag Facilities
A Tog Bag Facility will be available suitably signaged on the day of the race in one of the tents at the UCT fields. Runners can also make use of the Tog Bag Trucks that will be available at the start in Dean Street. Your tog bags will be taken back to the Finish Venue. Runners must ensure that their bags are labelled with their names on the label provided at these trucks. Every care will be taken to ensure that the bags are safeguarded. However, runners are advised not to leave expensive or valuable items in their bags, as the organisers cannot accept responsibility for any losses.
Start
The 56km ultra marathon will start at 06h25 outside SA Breweries, Main Road, Newlands in Cape Town. The start is within walking distance of the finish (only 2 km).
Seconding
The No mobile seconding rule will be strictly enforced. No seconds may drive, cycle or run alongside any athlete on the route. The STAND AND HAND rule, whereby a runner's seconds may stand at any refreshment station on the route and hand refreshments to their athlete while they remain stationary, will apply. No seconds may travel on the route. The race referees will deal with any transgression of this rule and the penalty may include disqualification after a warning.
Finish Line
The finish line must be crossed to officially finish the race. At this point you will be timed by crossing the timing mat. There are no designated lanes and it is important to move through this area swiftly. Each runner will receive a small card that can be exchanged at the Runners' Refreshment Tent for your free refreshments.
Runners completing their 10th, 20th, 25th and 30th Two Oceans Ultra are requested to enter the finish area on the right-hand side, in order to receive your permanent number or award.
Cut-off
The race is run from gun to gun - cut-off is 7 hours (13:25). Runners who have not reached the following marks in the times specified will not be allowed to continue:
- 25km at 09:28 - Corner of Corvette Avenue and Corsair Drive, Sun Valley.
- 38km at 11:05 - Outside No. 1 Chapman's Peak flats.
- 42,2km at 11:37 - Outside Four Season's Farm entrance.
- 46,1km at 12:06 at the top of Constantia Nek.
If you do not reach the cut-off points within the required time, you will be asked to retire from the Race and leave the road. You may not continue running. Athletes who fail to obey the race officials will be subject to disciplinary action and may be banned from participation in the Two Oceans Marathon in future. Transport will be provided at all the cut-off points to take the runners back to the Finish.
It is imperative that runners fill in the medical information on the back of their race number. Should a runner require hospital treatment, he/she will be charged according to the hospital tariff rate.
Please take note of this number in case you need it for a medical emergency:
082911
Information relating to runners who have been admitted to the Medical Tent will be available at the Information Tent next to the finish.
Provisional results will be on the Two Oceans website on the day of the race. Should there be any error, please report this to us via:
- Email
- Telephone: 021 657 5140.
A set of final results will be available and those that indicate they would like to receive this (when entering) will receive this in the post within 6-8 weeks after the race.