Sport in Cape Town
Two Oceans Marathon
The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon presented by Nike is run under the rules of IAAF, Athletics South Africa and Western Province Athletics.
A marathon with global appeal is the Two Oceans Marathon. Hosted in the beautiful sea side city of Cape Town, the Two Oceans marathon attracts some 20 000 participants who willingly taken on 56 kilometers of open road and challenging mountain climbs. An interesting feature of the route of Two Oceans Marathon, is as the name indicates, it passes both oceans surrounding the South African shoreline - the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. It is therefore as stunning as it is challenging.
Runners will be begin their journey in Newlands and head out towards Noordhoek. It’s then that the most spectacular portion of the marathon begins - Chapmans Peak. The Two Oceans Marathon route didn’t include Chapmans Peak for a few years because of the danger of regular rock falls that led to the closure of this mountain pass. However, R156 million and a few engineering and construction feats later, Chapmans peak was reopened and was re-included into the Two Oceans Marathon route - much to the delight of regular entrants.
The toughest part of the Two Oceans Marathon, is undoubtedly the mountain climb known as the ‘Suikerbossie Pass’. After you’ve enjoyed the scenery of Chapmans peak and you’ve passed through the relative flats of Hout Bay, every ounce of remaining energy will be used as you climb this monstrous hill. The screams of supporters will edge you on to the top of this hill where you’re greeted by the welcome sight of the Atlantic Ocean.
Ultra Marathon Route: Chapman’s Peak Drive re-opened in December 2003, nearly 4 years after the scenic road was closed because of dangerous rock falls. The new road includes a number of additional safety features, such as 1560 metres of high-energy catch fences and two curved canopy structures totalling 81 metres in length. The construction costs were in excess of R157 million.
Half Marathon Route: The half marathon route is along the same course as the ultra marathon for the first 6 km. Thereafter runners veer west through Plumstead and Constantia before reaching Rhodes Drive in Newlands and finishing at the UCT Upper Campus sports fields.
Race Distances:
ULTRA Marathon 56 kilometres (34.8 miles)
HALF Marathon 21.1 kilometres (13.1 miles)
COMRADES MARATHON
© www.comrades.com
Fifty-five famously fierce miles. Five punishing climbs. The merciless clock. Blisters, sweat and tears. The Comrades Marathon may be the world's greatest race, but it is not for sissies.
The world's oldest and largest marathon happens to take place in KwaZulu-Natal. The famous 55-mile ultra marathon alternates between an 'up' run or a 'down' run every year. The race is run over an extremely tough course which can be best described as "The Big Five". The Big Five are uphills on the route of the Comrades Marathon and, on the up run they appear in the following order: Cowies Hill, Field's Hill, Botha's Hill, Inchanga, and finally, Polly Shortts.
On the down run there are another set of equally challenging hills, and many runners are surprised that a race described as down still has some exceptionally tough hills to climb, including Inchanga, Alverstone, Bothas Hill and Cowies Hill. The 2010 marathon will be a 'down' run so it will start in Pietermaritzburg and come to a blissful end in Durban.
Need to know? Start: 05:30 at the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg Finish: 17:30 at Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead in Durban Distance: 89.28km – 56 miles.
The Comrades theme is the definition of self.
Because the Comrades Marathon is not just a race, it is a definition of who you are. It dictates your lifestyle, your eating habits, your self-esteem. It tests your body, your endurance, your will power. And every year it defines thousands of runners as they cover a 90 kilometers journey which makes or breaks them.
Sport in South Africa
A PASSION FOR SPORTS
Lively soccer fans with a Vuvuzela and homemade guitar
South Africa is a sports crazy nation – it is practically a religion, the most popular spectator sports being soccer, rugby and cricket. International matches and big local matches are well worth seeing live, not only to watch the game but also to catch the vibe - experience the zeal and absolute dedication of fans.
Sport is big news in South Africa and newspapers followed by other media are awash with all the shplurb about controversial selections, scandals and feats of brilliance - there is no getting away from it!
Soccer / Football
Football or soccer as it is known in South Africa is the most popular game and is starting to attract serious money. It used to be the Cinderella sport in the bad old days of Apartheid and reflects the country’s history and the struggle for democracy.
Bafana Bafana in action
Football was segregated by the past regime and became a focus for the non-racial sport movement. In 1991 it became the first sport to become unified and has captivated the hearts of all South Africans.
South Africa is presently building 5 new stadiums dedicated to football for the 2010 FIFA World Cup - a jubilant first for Africa and a country that until now has never had a stadium devoted to football. Football teams had to rent venues for their matches in the Apartheid era, unlike the rugby and cricket teams who played in dedicated stadiums.
Gauteng is the spirit and core of South African football and all the big clubs share the same grounds, which has created quite a different fan culture to that of devotees in Europe. The big teams from Soweto are Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates whose spirited games can be hot-blooded and usually have the nation gripped. Soweto football crowds are normally good-humoured and festive so joining them is quite conceivable and fun - “whities” shouldn’t feel uneasy about going to a game.
The professional season in South Africa is between August and May with teams participating in the Premier Soccer League and a few other competitions. The Chiefs and the Pirates have a nationwide following and their contests are a colourful climax of the Premier Soccer League’s matches. Contributing to the jovial atmosphere of football games are the unique sounds of the Vuvuzela, a plastic horn along with singing and countless other homemade instruments.
Rugby
Springbok supporter
Rugby is a great passion and tantamount to a religion amongst the “whites” of South Africa, especially with Afrikaners. South Africa is amazingly good and competitive at rugby - if the national squad, the Springboks, lose a game then supporters are plunged into depression for at least a week. In fact, they consider it their birthright to win every game except against the New Zealand All Blacks, for whom they have great respect!
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was hosted in South Africa and won by the Springboks. The greatest triumph and nationwide blessing came when Nelson Mandela donned the number six jersey of ‘Bok captain Francois Pienaar to present the cup. This was a major milestone for the history of South African rugby, which had long been an exclusively "white" sport.
Inter-regional and international games are of a very high standard and definitely worth watching. The major regional competition is the Currie Cup, with provincial teams playing on weekends (March – October).
The Super 14 is an exciting annual competition between regional teams from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia with matches played in all 3 countries. Catch the action in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban from late February till the end of May. Port Elizabeth, George, East London and Bloemfontein also host the occasional game.
The Tri-Nations is an annual international competition involving Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Games are played in all 3 countries from June to August – be sure to book well in advance if you’re planning to attend.
Cricket
Makhaya Ntini bowling
Of all the former “white” sports, cricket was the trail blazer when it came to social and political reform with training, support and talent discovery programmes for disadvantaged communities. Fast bowler, Makhaya Ntini became the first black player for the national team, the Proteas, in 1998.
South African cricket lost its halo and took a major blow in 2000, however, when the Proteas captain, golden boy Hansie Cronje, was discovered to have accepted bribes to lose matches. The Proteas,one of the world’s top teams, are still struggling to rise above the scandal and gain the credibility of cricket in South Africa.
International tests and one-day series take place in the summer season between November and March and are highly recommended. National competitions are the four-day Supersport Series and the one-day matches, the Standard Bank Cup. Games are played throughout the week whilst the 11 provincial teams strive for national supremacy.
Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour 2011
Description
Beautiful oceans, wildlife at the road’s edge, mist gently caressing your cheeks, the delightful smell of fynbos and flora as well as breathtaking views…
And some call this a grueling race.
It’s time for the Mother City to grind to a halt for the two wheel revolution
Roads will close for almost the entire day as festive spectators throng the streets to cheer a colourful and motley crew of more than 35 000 cyclists to the finish. Who will win the Cape Argus 2011? Come rain or shine the tour will take over the Mother City. Be there!
Need to know? Check out road closures and the route at www.cycletour.co.za
Wavescape Surf Film Festival 10 Labia
16-20 Dec 2010
Description
Surf riders and ocean lovers, you gotta pull into this!
So, what's up in the Mother City? A nine-day feast of epic new flicks at the Wavescapes Surf Film Festival 2010.
Presented by the Save Our Seas Foundation, the annual Wavescapes Surf Film Festival takes place in the Mother City between 10 and 20 December. Wavescapes opens with a Surf Art Exhibition featuring surfboards by acclaimed artists. Proceeds go to the NSRI and Shark Spotters.
The opening film of Wavescapes will be projected onto a large screen under the stars at Clifton Fourth Beach at 9pm Friday December 11. The screening is free. A week of films follows at the Labia Cinema on Orange Street (two shows daily) and the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay.
Venue: Labia Cinema, Orange Street. Get the blurb at wavescape.co.za
Thursday 16 December
18:15 Lino, Lives of the Artists
20:30 i surf because... Andy Irons, Last Paradise
Friday 16 December
18:15 Who is Job?, Modern Collective
20:30 Lino, i surf because... Taj Burrow, Sea of Darkness
Saturday 16 December
18:15 Fibreglass Megapixels, Idiosyncrasies
20:30 i surf because... Andy Irons, Melali: The Drifter Sessions, Modern Collective
Sunday 16 December
18:15 Gum For My Boat, Dark Fall
20:30 My Eyes Won't Dry 3, Scratching the Surface
