Running alongside the Two Oceans

by Niki Duncan

Since I started running seriously with a running club about 2 years ago, I have run 3 half marathons (a half marathon is technically 21.1 km in distance). This year I am training for my fourth half marathon, which is the Two Oceans Half Marathon here in Cape Town. The Two Oceans Marathon is quite well known for it’s 56 km Marathon which has become famous over the years and has a beautiful route around the Cape Peninsula. The Marathon is 56 km in distance and covers many beautiful landmarks in Cape Town, the most well-known being running up Chapman’s Peak drive. This drive is famous for it’s cliff-face look outs over the Atlantic ocean and Hout Bay harbour – the views are absolutely magnificent, however I wonder how much you actually notice when you are trying to complete a marathon!? (maybe I will find out one day) That said, it makes running worthwhile ;-)

I can say that running in Cape Town is probably the most rewarding thing I have done in a long time. Since I have joined to a club, I am able to run every weekend in a different location of Cape Town, be it along the coastline from Muizenberg to Fish Hoek, through beautiful hills of the up-market suburb of Constantia or through the Newlands Forest! And every time, I am amazed at the beauty that Cape Town has to offer – it definitely makes my run more pleasant (even if I don’t feel like getting up at dawn to meet my fellow runners!)

I have also had the privilege of running along the coastline from Scarborough (see picture below), which is a little seaside town not far from Cape Point and Kommetjie on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula. My family is fortunate enough to have a beach house a stone’s throw away from the beach. Scarborough is a quaint conservation village (as they call it) that has grown significantly in numbers over the last few years. The town is probably about 40 minutes by road from Cape Town city itself but yet it feels like you have escaped civilisation in many ways! They have kept the street-lights and local convenience stores away from this little town and if you go there during off-peak season (ie. not during the school holidays or long weekends) you are really able to enjoy the peace and quiet, which I have grown to love. I love escaping to find sanctuary in this peaceful area. Scarborough is definitely worth a visit if on your way to Cape Point – I would recommend a quick stroll on the ‘not so big’ beach and enjoying a bite to eat at the one surviving restaurant, Camel Rock Restaurant!

2007/03/26 | permalink |

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Running alongside the Two Oceans

by Niki Duncan

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