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Lead Stories: Sunday, September 7, 2008

Netshifhefhe, Biktagirova to Defend Two Oceans Titles

Posted March 18th, 2008 at 1:00 PM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Trail / Ultra

The 39th Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, to be run over 56 km this Saturday, March 22, in Cape Town, South Africa, will be momentous for a number of reasons. Foremost among these is that the event will have a new race director for the first time in 28 years, with Rowyn James succeeding Chet Sainsbury, who retired after last year’s Two Oceans, which is always held the Saturday before Easter.

The race also has a new technical sponsor in PUMA, while both defending champions, Bethuel Netshifhefhe and Madina Biktagirova, will be returning.

Almost 19,000 runners have entered the ultramarathon and the accompanying half-marathon, which will be held for the 11th time. The shorter race has attracted a record field of 11,213, making it South Africa’s biggest half-marathon.
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Russian women, South African men dominate Two Oceans Ultramarathon

Posted April 8th, 2007 at 10:11 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

“I feel like a little hare amongst the lions.” This was the way Hungarian Simona Staicu expressed her feelings at the pre-race media conference the day before the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon. Flanking her were three of the favourites: the Nurgalieva twins, Yelena and Olesya, and defending champion Tatyana Zhirkova, all Russians.

Two more Russian “lions” were waiting in the wings, and the next day they took first and second in their first attempt at South Africa’s second biggest ultramarathon: Madina Biktagirova and Liliya Yadzhak.
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Njodzi & Zhirkova to defend Two Oceans Marathon titles

Posted April 3rd, 2007 at 9:00 AM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Eight of the ten male gold medalists (top-10 finishers) in the 2006 Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, presented by Nike, will be at the starting line when the 38th running of the ultramarathon over 56 km takes place this Saturday, April 7, in Cape Town.

Also in the line-up will be 1996 Olympic marathon champion Josiah Thugwane, who debuted in the race on his birthday last year but dropped out.

The field includes both the men and women’s defending champions in the ultramarathon and over 1000 international runners. Coupled with the 6000 entrants expected for the fun runs on Good Friday, April 6, the event will have a combined total field of 25,000 participants, making it the biggest road running event in South Africa.
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