Duane and Sharon enjoying the pavements of Fish Hoek
ROAD RUNNING
“ All I can say is that we all had a harrowing experience navigating our way up the Nek , dodging trucks , buses , cyclists and cars … most of which also seemed to like the yellow line !”
be a great opportunity to raise money for charity , and do what Comrades did by having a huge virtual event around the country . What was wrong with the Two Oceans organising committee , we asked ? Well , we would find out on race day ...
Ready for the Voyage
We eventually decided to run the actual 56km route , starting in its normal place in Newlands , and going over Chapmans Peak and up Constantia Nek . We would just start earlier , at 5:30am on the Easter Saturday , and we were also lucky to have roaming seconders – one from Cape Town , Grant Whittaker , and a running mate from Midrand , Chris Piears .
The week before the Easter weekend it was announced that we could travel to Cape Town . Big relief ! We stayed in one of our favourite hotels , The Vineyard , due to its proximity to the start and the finish , and we were all set to take on our favourite run in the world . So , on the 3rd of April , we got up and started our 56km journey at 5:30am , just outside the Newlands Brewery . Only three of us made the start line – Michelle , Sharon and myself – as Bruce had decided he was only keen on running a 42km , so he chose the most scenic 42km of the route , and would start 14km into the run .
The first 15km were relatively uneventful , apart from the taxis taking people to jobs that start early . The
Main Road to Muizenberg is relatively well lit and was easy to run on sidewalks . The traffic did start to pick up at around 7am when we were in Muizenberg and the various seaside towns as we ran towards Fish Hoek , but so far all was good . A few runners passed us on the route , so we thought we would find many more runners along the way .
Things Get a Bit Hairy
The group started to split up around 15km in , but we all felt safe . However , once we got to Chapmans Peak Drive , the running and safety did become more challenging . The question was , do we run towards oncoming cyclists and cars on the mountain side , or do we run with traffic on the seaside of the road ? We had received advice to run on the seaside , as it is safer on that stretch of road , but I had always been taught to run towards traffic , as you can see the danger coming , and I could not handle the stress of cars behind me . So , I took my chances and ran on the mountain side while rest of the team ran on the seaside .
There were a few narrow misses with cyclists , especially coming around the bends , but we all managed to navigate the dangers of Chapmans Peak Drive . Bruce and Michelle even managed to enjoy the views , as they stopped and took photos of the awesome scenery , but I missed the photo opportunities .
By the time we arrived in Hout Bay , it had started to get really busy , but it has sidewalks and paved walkways , which made it relatively easy . Then came Constantia Nek ... The toughest part of the race , four kilometres of tough climbing up a very windy and narrow road . While I have always noticed that it is a tough climb , I had never noticed that it does not have a shoulder to run on , so we had to run on the yellow line . All I can say is that we all had a harrowing experience navigating our way up the Nek , dodging trucks , buses , cyclists and cars … most of which also seemed to like the yellow line !
After cresting Constantia Nek , Rhodes Drive was easier , but still a challenge , as the road had got still busier . Sharon took a fall here and hurt her arm and leg , but luckily it was not a serious injury . Then came the final stretch up toward the University campus ,
Stopping for a pic at the top of Chappies
which was much easier , as there was a walking and cycling path to run on . All four of us made it to the finish , having achieved our goals , and we were even able to have a lovely run along the Sea Point Promenade the following day . Much safer !
Lesson Learnt !
So , would we do it again ? The answer is definitely no ! Our naivety of the dangers on those roads allowed us to even attempt this challenge , but knowing what we know now , that route is just too dangerous to run without road closures . We are just thankful that we made it out of Cape Town alive !
So , when someone comes up with an idea to run your favourite race on the actual route , your first answer needs to be , “ Absolutely not , do you think I have a death wish ?” Instead , please listen to the organisers of races . After all , they are the locals , so they know the road conditions , and when it is safe to run on the roads . Most importantly , be careful out there , because no view is worth your life !
No vehicles to dodge on the Promenade … just the odd photographer
Ready for a safer run in Sea Point
Between them , Duane , Sharon , Bruce and Sharon have a total of 51 Two Oceans Marathon medals , plus another six in the accompanying Two Oceans Half Marathon . While they may not have added to their medal collection with this year ’ s unofficial Two Oceans run , they definitely went home with a newfound appreciation of the safety on the route on race day !
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