The Latest Update from Two Oceans Marathon 2021

So much has changed over the past 12 months including the cancellation of Two Oceans Marathon 2020 and many other events due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

It’s not business as usual for the Two Oceans Marathon Organisers

By now, you would normally have completed your entry to the Two Oceans Marathon 2021, started your training programme and started planning and testing your TOM 2021 running gear. With the uncertainty around mass participation events and the current restrictions in place, the reality is that it is not business as usual.

The Two Oceans Marathon organisers are still committing to delivering a world-class event in 2021, and planning for the 51st edition of the Two Oceans Marathon has been underway for several months. They have been closely monitoring developments around the Coronavirus and the impact of the second wave on local runners and international runners who need to travel.

Contingency planning for Two Oceans 2021

The TOM organising team have had several productive meetings and engagements with the relevant authorities and stakeholders, and have presented what Two Oceans Marathon 2021 could ‘look like’ this year.

In proceeding with their planning, only the format and scale of the event (physical, virtual or hybrid) needs to be finalised. They have submitted plans that are easily scalable to the number of runners that will be allowed to participate in the race for 2021 by the time the event takes place.

Any of these scenarios remain subject to compliance and approval within the framework of the South African Disaster Management Act, No 57 of 2002 (the Act).

So what next?

What we know:

• It is unlikely that Two Oceans Marathon 2021 will be able to be hosted in April to the scale everyone has become accustomed to.
• International participation is unlikely to be permitted, given that travel restrictions may continue as many countries in the northern hemisphere are experiencing a second Coronavirus wave. But let’s see what happens.

What happens next?

The organisers continue to monitor both local and international developments around the current global pandemic, and they will continue working on a number of scenarios to present to the authorities and other stakeholders that will allow the organisers to host the marathon in 2021.

This includes plans and processes to mitigate the risks for runners and all who work on the event; as well as various adjustments and additional safety protocols to logistics planning, including staggered starts, screening and sanitisation models from start to finish.

The final word from the Two Oceans Marathon

The organisers’ goal is to host the 2021 Two Oceans Marathon in a format that will give as many runners as possible, the opportunity to experience ‘the world’s most beautiful marathon.’  Over the coming weeks, they will continue to work towards a viable solution that will be positively considered by the authorities and stakeholders

Africa Marathons commit to keeping you updated via our social channels and on our website. For more info please send us an email on [email protected].