Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 102, January 2018 | Page 35

Counting Down to Easter The Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon and Half Marathon will be run on Easter Saturday, 31 March 2018. Here’s all the latest news from the world’s most beautiful marathon! ENTRIES GONE IN A FLASH… BUT A FEW ARE STILL LEFT T he 2018 Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon once again broke all records when the event reached its 11,000 entry limit in just two days, smashing the 32-day record set by the 2017 event. The event has consistently sold out since 2014, but the speed at which entries sold out this year still took the organisers – and many runners – by surprise. Meanwhile, the huge demand for Half Marathon entries once again saw them sell out in record time as 26,000 runners put their names into the hat for a ballot entry. This left a number of runners disappointed to have missed out, but fortunately 2000 Half Marathon entries and (for the first time) a limited number of Ultra Marathon charity entries went on sale from 4 December 2017 through the OMTOM charity partners. In addition, substitution entries open on 9 January 2018, which allows runners who can no longer participate to withdraw and pass on their entry to another runner within the entry system. Substitutions will close on 28 February. All OMTOM entrants are required to update their online profiles with their 2018 running club license numbers (unless running with a temporary licence in the Half Marathon) and qualifier details (for the Ultra Marathon) by 5pm on 28 February 2018. Runners who fail to meet this deadline will forfeit their entry. This year, a new feature allows clubs to do the verification on behalf of their athletes between 1 and 6 March. SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL BENEFICIARIES Four organisations have been chosen as official beneficiaries of the 2018 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, and runners can make a donation to their favourite beneficiary when entering any of the events forming part of the 2018 OMTOM, including the Fun Runs. • Wildlands Conservation Trust runs seven programmes carried out across six provinces focused on growing and bartering trees as well as collecting waste, to conserving the natural environment and heritage of SA. • The Igazi Foundation is the only dedicated blood cancer service NGO in Southern Africa that is committed to the ongoing development of Haematology. • Waves For Change is an award-winning programme that provides a child-friendly mental health service to at-risk youth living in unstable communities. • The Chaeli Campaign is a non-profit organisation that works to mobilise the minds and bodies of children with disabilities. OLD MUTUAL DOWNLOAD YOUR TRAINING GUIDE | Cape Town beautiful marathon the world’s most TWO OCEANS MA RATHON 2018 TRAINING GUIDE TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR 56KM & 21KM INFO ESSENTIAL RACE ’S MOST FOR THE WORLD HON BEAUTIFUL MARAT STORIES TO INSPIRATIONAL TRAINING MOTIVATE YOUR YOU BY BROUGHT TO MAGAZINE 1 The first ever Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Training Guide is available for free download or printing at https://joom.ag/NyvL. Brought to you by Modern Athlete magazine and the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, the OMTOM Training Guide contains three training programmes each for the Ultra Marathon and Half Marathon, plus training advice for the Trail Runs and other essential race info. RUNNERS’ VILLAGE APPLICATIONS OPEN Every year, financial constraints prevent many talented athletes in disadvantaged communities from participating in the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon. In an effort to give these athletes the opportunity to be a part of the world’s most beautiful marathon, the Two Oceans Marathon NPC invites running clubs to assist their less privileged members to apply to be part of the Runners’ Village over the Easter Weekend. These athletes will be accommodated at the Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology in Tokai, from Friday 30 March, with meals, accommodation and race-day transport to the start provided. For more information, please call Patiswa on 087 740 5260, or e-mail [email protected]. Applications close on 28 February. DIARISE THE OMTOM EXPO DATES As the official race number collection point for the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, the OMTOM Expo attracts more than 55,000 visitors over three days and offers visitors all sorts of interesting stands, featuring top sporting brands, apparel, supplements, outdoor adventure sports, sporting tours and more. The Expo will take place on the following days: • Wednesday 28 March (10h00 to 19h00) • Thursday 29 March (10h00 to 19h00) • Friday 30 March (09h00 to 17h00) OMTOM AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Website: www.twooceansmarathon.org.za Call: 0861 262 326 / 021 799 3040 Facebook: www.facebook.com/TwoOceansMarathon Twitter: www.twitter.com/2OceansMarathon Instagram: www.instagram.com/2oceansmarathon 35