Records Unlikely To Fall But The Two Oceans Half-marathon Deserves More Recognition

The half-marathon of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon often gets the stepbrother treatment compared to the flagship 56km ultra-marathon. But theres nothing adopted about the 21.1km race that was introduced as part of the Worlds Most Beautiful Marathon 26 years ago.

That much is evidenced by the headline sponsors decision to give a R15 000 bonus prize to any athlete who breaks either the men or womens records set back in 2006 and 2019 by Cuthbert Nyasango and Helalia Johannes respectively. The Zimbabwean ran a 62:54 19 years ago and no runner has managed to beat it yet. Namibian Johannes 70:29 is also fast proving too fast a time for the rest of the competitors to break.

The incentive put up by Totalsports notwithstanding, it is unlikely either of the records will fall on this race day that is expected to be pretty warm. Added to that is the start list is not too strong, with the womens field particularly diluted with last years top six finishers not returning.

There are two Kenyan race rookies looking to introduce themselves to South African running in style, Reuben Kibet and Mercy Kibou brought to the event by Two Oceans technical sponsors Joma.

The 24-year-old Kibet boasts a 63 minutes PB in the distance and will be running his second half marathon having set that time in his home country.