Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 57, April 2014 | Page 6

Editor’s Letter Anchors Away, Oceans Awaits PUBLISHERS Mike Bray & Craig Van der Westhuizen [email protected] EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR I remember the first time I lined up to run the Old Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathon in 1999. After years of watching my friends go off to run the Oceans ultra and watching out for them on TV, I was finally part of the event myself, having taken up running a few years earlier. Even then, when the event was substantially smaller than today, the vibe was incredible, and I can remember being swept along in one of the biggest fields I had until then experienced in a race. I finished in 1:57:07 that day, and have subsequently run another five Oceans 21s, with a best of 1:45:07, the year I ran as a 1:45 pacesetter. I have also carried the sub-2:30 and sub-3:00 flags in the race, so I reckon I have seen the best of both proverbial worlds, being able to race the incredible route as well as take my time and enjoy the crowds. It remains one of my favourites – but I can also add that Southern Cross Drive still bites me in