The world’s most beautiful marathon, the 56km Ultra around the Cape Peninsula since 1970. Finally I checked that off from my bucket list – which I added together with the Comrades Marathon. The race begins amidst awe-inspiring vistas, offering a mix of flat stretches and challenging ascents that test both your endurance and spirit. This is a race that run against a backdrop of spectacular scenery through the Cape Peninsula.
The Preparation
My 2023-2024 race calendar looked like a progression from Half Marathon to Marathon to Ultra Marathon. I started the season with Delhi Half Marathon with the training progressed to include training for the Mumbai Marathon that should be a qualification for Two Oceans. Between these two, I have involved in couple of trail races to get those legs get used to climbs. Trails have always made me a better runner on road. That was the reason to include all my long run workouts on trails building up the Mumbai Marathon.
Those hilly strides and hilly long runs; got me a 3:33 from Mumbai Marathon and a second BQ. And, a C line up at Two Oceans. (much better than the D at Comrades.)
After Mumbai Marathon in January I had February and March to prepare for the 56km in Cape Town. But I also had the New Delhi Half Marathon (NDHM) end of February. Recovering from Mumbai and tapering for NDHM, I didn’t have much ultra-focused training in February. That meant I had only March to complete my training and get that confidence. I have prepared a training plan that would give me 400+km in March and that month was packed! At the end of the last workout, my legs were crying for taper.
Had the taper for two weeks before I arrived in Cape Town.
Cape Town
I was back in this peninsula city after 6 years. I was here in 2018 for the Cape Town Marathon. I had memories of the big climbs and heavy winds and I was preparing myself to put myself through that again, but with a bit more climbs and probably heavier winds!
I arrived on a Wednesday and the next couple of days, I was getting myself into the race mood, studying the race course and making plans. My plan – never walk ever. There are two key climbs with big elevation gains. I knew from Comrades that walking will make one get comfortable there and never get the motivation to push ahead.
Pre-Race
My pre-race meal is pretty simple and I am very stubborn in having that wherever I am in the world. My morning starts with a coffee followed by peanut butter and honey toast with a banana. Then I will have a glass of electrolyte before packing another 500 ml electrolyte for the race.
I had a 1.5 l bladder which I filled with water. My gel strategy was 8/9. 9th before the last 3-4 km if needed for the placebo effect.
The Race
The race started at 5:15. After the elites and the A and B line-up, mine started at 5:19. You hit a nice flat section until about 28km. Everyone says, the race starts after the 28th km because the second half is so hard. Almost immediately after halfway you will climb what is called Little Chappies. It’s a pretty steep climb to the Chapman’s Peak (around 33rd km), then heading North into the small town of Hout Bay.
The camaraderie of fellow runners and the cheering spectators in Hout Bay provide a boost as you tackle the formidable Constantia Neck after the marathon mark – a grueling 2.7km climb that demands every ounce of determination from your marathon-weary legs. Yet, the reward is palpable as you conquer this mighty summit, greeted by enthusiastic supporters applauding your achievement and spurring you on for the final 8km which is (almost) downhill until the finish line.
I was proud of my non-walking strategy. Managed to shuffle up in a decent pace. But my downhill techniques are not that great. Some people I passed during the uphill, overtook me downhill which was a bit disheartening. But, by then my left knee was starting to act up a bit! It brought me back memories of my Comrades 2022 when my knees gave away at the 30th km mark and I struggled every km on my way to finish. So, looking back, I am okay with that decision to maintain a steady pace and not sprint down.
The last stretch starts near the Newlands Forest entrance where there will be massive crowd support urging you to sprint to the University of Cape Town rugby fields, which is the finish line. The finish was magical. You run through a grassy patch and the crowd will cheer you along to the finish line. Finished at 5:11:22 with an average pace of 5:33.
Post-Finish
I was surprised my legs worked after the race and I had the energy to walk back home without limping much. The next day I wore the race tee to cheer the Half Marathoners and a hike in the Newlands Forest! Legs didn’t complain much.
Arriving in Cape Town at the end of a long season without an injury was an achievement. Flying out of the city to the off-season without much damage to the body is another.
Now, rest, relax and plan for the new season! So much to accomplish in the next season and I am excited already.
Check out my run on Strava:
Eat, Run, Live, Sleep, Repeat 
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