Two Oceans Entry Deadline nears

[TheEd]

Runners only have two weeks left to enter the Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon, which takes place on Saturday 7 April. Close to 5 000 entries have already been received and there is every indication that this year will attract another field in excess of 8 000 runners.

Online entries close on Wednesday 7 March and those runners posting their entries must make sure they are mailed by 29 February to ensure they reach the race office by the deadline. Cape Town runners without access to the online entry facility can drop off their entries at the race office in Claremont. No late entries will be taken after the cut off date. There are still a few qualifying marathons countrywide and runners still needing to run one can visit the event’s website for a full list of these.

All substitutions, upgrades, downgrades and seeding changes must also be done by 7 March and detailed instructions on how to do these processes online are available on the website twooceansmarathon.org.za. Runners will not be able to make any changes after the cut off date or at the Expo.

Those runners with a half marathon entry who are no longer able to participate are encouraged to make their entries available to others. The race office is appealing to runners to follow the substitution process and not to give their number to another runner as this can lead to disqualification for both parties and a ban from the event for a year. This process is encouraged with runners’ medical safety in mind.

“There was an incident last year where a runner used another runner’s race number to run the half marathon and who then collapsed at the finish. The medical team thought they were dealing with the runner whose details were connected to the specific race number and obviously this can have serious medial consequences in terms of administering the correct treatment and contacting their family,” said race director Rowyn James.