Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 118, May 2019 | Page 11

ROAD RUNNING
It therefore begs the obvious question whether their
hard runs at Two Oceans may cost the two of them
their shot at the title come 9 June.
Determined to Defend
In the women’s race, Gerda Steyn made it clear from
the gun that she had in fact come to defend her
title, and she controlled the pace from the outset.
By the time she reached Ou Kaapse Weg, she only
had debutants Irvette van Zyl and Mamorallo Tjoka
still challenging her, and they were sticking to her
like glue. Irvette was first to succumb as she felt the
punishing downhill of Ou Kaapse Weg. Lesotho’s
Mamorallo stuck with Gerda, but between the
marathon and 48km marks, the defending champ
threw in repeated surges and opened gaps that the
debutant had to work hard to close. It took six surges,
but Gerda finally broke the elastic band that held
Mamorallo to her, and with 8km to go she was able to
stride out for the win.
However, she decided that some caution was still
warranted, as she explained after the race. “With the
change in route, I did not know just how the last 8km
were. So I decided not to chase the record. I was
worried that if I did and failed, how much damage
it would have done for Comrades. Not being
familiar with those last 8km cost me.” In the
Gerda Steyn
claims her
second Two
Oceans win
Mamorallo Tjoka, Irvette van Zyl
and Gerda Steyn on Ou Kaapse Weg
Notable Ultra Finishers
The 50 th edition of the Two Oceans Marathon saw a number of runners
achieve milestones in their Two Oceans careers, notably in terms of how
many successful voyages they have completed. While Tony Abrahamson
and Louis Massyn went to 44 medals each, extending their lead at the
top of the list, Ian Bocock, John Mugglestone and Mark Wagenheim
pulled level with first 40-voyager Noel Stamper on 41 medals. Paul
Leader became only the seventh runner to achieve 40 finishes at Two
Oceans.
Tony Abrahamson and Mark
Wagenheim
Louis Massyn
Amongst the women, Lucille Damon became the first woman to reach 30
medals, overtaking Ann Margolin, who finished on 29 voyages in 2011.
Meanwhile, John Brimble and Hercu Hofmeyr moved to 39 medals each,
and should also join the 40 club in 2020. Interestingly, Louis now has 44
Two Oceans and 46 Comrades medals, for a total of 90 medals in SA’s two
premier ultra-marathons. The nearest challenger to that number is Hercu on
39 and 37 medals, for a total of 76.
Lucille Damon
Paul Leader
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