17 March 2008
The largest running-related expo in the Western Cape, the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Expo presented by Puma, takes place at the Good Hope Centre from 19 to 21 March.
It is a compulsory stop for competitors in the ultra and half-marathon because registration takes place at the Expo only, and it is where the runners collect their race numbers and goodie bags.
Organisers have advised the entrants to bring their race acknowledgement card, identity document, and champion chip (if they have one) to the expo to ensure a trouble-free registration.
When to visit
With close to 18 000 runners taking part in this year's event, the organisers are advising Cape Town runners to visit the Expo and register on the Wednesday or Thursday, as they are expecting most of the upcountry participants to register on Friday.
The expo offers visitors almost everything there is to know about road running under one roof - shoes, clothing, fitness aids, heart-rate monitors, vitamins, nutrients, energy boosters, sports drinks and much more.
It also hosts the Puma and the Two Oceans Memorabilia shop, while the Old Mutual Virtual Coach, Dave Spence, will be at the Old Mutual stand with pacing charts and some final race tips.
In total, there are over 90 exhibitors with interactive displays.
Expo Hours
- Wednesday 19 March: 12:00 to 19:00
- Thursday 20 March: 10:00 to 19:00
- Friday 21 March: 09:00 to 19:00
Race and pace calculator
Old Mutual, the race sponsor, has introduced a web-based calculator – the Two Oceans race and pace calculator – which can help runners predict a realistic finish time for their race.
The Two Oceans Race and Pace Calculator is able to provide participants with a personalised pace table of split times, specific to the distance they are running, which will be either the 56-kilometre ultra or 21-kilometre half-marathon.
Funs runs and walks
For those not interested in the challenge of the two main events, there are a number of fun runs or fun walks that precede the ultra and half marathons on Good Friday, 21 March.
They start from 12:00 onwards at the University of Cape Town (UCT) Sports Grounds and include 2.5-kilometre, five-kilometre, and eight-kilometre fun runs or walks.
Young children are catered for as well, with the 56-metre nappy dash for children under the age of three, and the 300-metre Toddlers' Trot for children from the ages of four to six.
Children will be further entertained by fun and games at the UCT Sports Grounds, while lucky prize draws will add more excitement to the mix.
Hot spots
The organisers have also identified spectator
"hot spots", which will allow Cape Town residents and visitors to the city for the Easter weekend to become a part of the colourful event and cheer the runners on.
The viewing points are not only great for watching the race, but also offer fantastic views of Cape Town's spectacular scenery:
- Main Road – Lakeside
- Fish Hoek – Kommetjie Road
- Silvermine Road intersection
- Noordhoek Village – start of Chapman’s Peak
- Hout Bay Beach – end of Chapman’s Peak
- Constantia Nek
- Cecelia Forest – along Rhodes Drive
- Kirstenbosch Gardens
- Union Avenue towards UCT
SAinfo reporter and Two Oceans Marathon
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