I came all the way from Germany to do this race. Now I'm so glad that I did. After finishing the most beautiful Ultra Marathon on planet earth. I can only say that nothing else that top this. All that I have left now is London, Berlin and Rome. Since I have done Boston already. I really have to say this is a must for anyone looking to do the most beautiful breath taken Ultra-Marathon ever. Just have a go at it and most importantly ENJOY.

I think you should restore the massage stations from about the 37th k mark to attend to cramps and injuries.

The Two Oceans Marathon has long been a dream of mine, ever since first visiting Cape Town in March 2002 right after running my first marathon, my hometown L.A. Marathon.

Unfortunately, however, I was never in good enough shape, until this year, to take on the challenge of a 56K ultra on a difficult course such as this one.

But, with 34 marathons under my belt - 28 of them in just the prior 15 months - I finally felt like I was ready for this race.

It was a thrill to line up in the darkness outside the University of Cape Town on race morning, watch the half marathoners start their race and then wait for the ultra to start 20 minutes later. With a very light drizzle, the race began, and while the first few miles were nothing spectacular, once we hit Muizenberg (?), at Mile 10, the remainder of the course was amazing.

I took what this course gave me and didn't challenge the climbs at either Chapman's Peak or Constantia Nek, choosing to mostly walk these portions. This did allow me to finish the race with some fuel in the tank and I finished with a smile on my face in 6:34:59. Next time, hopefully, I will be strong enough for a sub-6, but I was still happy to get in well under the 7-hour cutoff and did watch the few heartbroken runners who barely missed the cutoff by a few seconds. Better luck next time. :)

I loved everything about this race. The course is beautiful but very hard at times. The climb up Chapman's Peak is challenging but nothing compared to the climb up Constantia Nek after you pass the 42K mark. Refreshments were very plentiful - Coke, PowerAde, water, potatoes, ice cream, chocolates - and I tried everything. I really liked the salty potato and wished they had more of these. Loved the Coke! I held off on trying it since I was not used to drinking it, but now I wish we would have this at races in the USA! Instant energy!!! Enjoyed the camaraderie of the South Africans - they are one tough bunch of runners. Many of them use this race as part of their preparation for Comrades. Excellent crowd support for most of the race - they yell, "Well done, well done" at you from mile one. Runners also were very supportive of one another. I hope to run this one again someday.

This is by far the best marathon I have ever done. The scenery is stunning. Support was unreal (the last half of race has aid stations every kilometer!). South Africa is really a beautiful place, first world. They are really revving things up for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and have huge infrastructure improvements. Restaurants are really nice and relatively cheap. With the Rand at 9 to 1 to the US dollar, most meals for two at great places came out to under $30 total! The hilly, ocean view course involves 2 substantial hills that go on for approximately 4 kilometers each. The last (Constantia's neck) occurs at the 45K mark and is brutal.

The only complaint I had was, being a chip timed race, it made absolutely no sense not to have a timing mat at the start. Keep this in mind. Although you finish crossing a mat, you all start your time at the gun start. It cost me 3 minutes getting to the start. Try to get an early corral. The website for the race has a nice link to a training regimen geared for the race. It was really useful. This was my first ultra, and having some local knowledge from that link helped. I trained in flat Chicago, and managed the hills, but I recommend hill training, or at least parking garages!

The free International 5K jog the day before for all non-African competitors was great fun. All in all, the most fun, beautiful, well-organized race I have ever done. Getting there from the US takes a long time and is a little more expensive than going Europe, but you make it all back quickly with the discounted prices compared to what you find on the European continent. It's a great challenge for someone trying to do a little more than a 42.2 marathon, and definitely an adventure. Just be prepared for that hill at the 45K mark!

This was my first race and I am hooked. I have never experienced a race that's so well planned. They had a great course, amazing spectators, and more than enough food and refreshments. We all can learn from them. Well done, and see you in 2009.

My experience running the Two Oceans was fantastic! With its gorgeous views of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, it truly earns the reputation of the world's most beautiful marathon. The race was well organized and the fans was great! The course is tough in spots, particularly because of the slants of the roads on the incline and declines, which were hard on the IT bands. The spirit of the fellow runners and hospitality of the fans helped through the last 14 KM (this was my first ultra and 5th marathon). The experience made training through a Canadian winter worthwhile!!! I would highly recommend it!

Needs to start at 6 a.m. before any other race.

I am a Mr. Price Celtic Harriers runner (vet category) who collapsed with heat exhaustion about 50M from the finish line, and was assisted across the line by several fellow runners, among them Ena Gous (Worcester AC), Donald Currie (VOB) and Marc Dennler (MP Celtics). I also collapsed initially at the 55KM mark and was helped by several unknown runners there as well. I remain extremely grateful to all these runners and the superb care and support from staff, family and friends in the medical tent afterwards. This tremendous sense of camaraderie has given the TOs fresh significance for me. I am recovering well and will be back in 2008!

Thanks for organizing this event. I have had the privilege of do the ultra twice now.

What could make it unpleasant is starting after the half marathon (and so late). If you are a blue medal runner you finish when it can get very hot, and after all, the Two Oceans is primarily know for the ultra marathon and not the half.

Sure the frontrunners of the half catch up with us at close to Gabriel Road, but they are single-filed and it is very easy for the ultra to stick to the left and let them pass on the right.

It is called the Two Oceans "Marathon" - let the fun runners start later please.

Thanks for your time.

-Marius