Ballot applications for the 20th Old Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathon, taking place on 15 April 2017, will open on Tuesday, 1 November 2016, and runners are encouraged to secure their applications between 1 and 10 November.
The Half Marathon was added to the Two Oceans Marathon in 1998, which also coincided with moving the race start to Main Road Newlands, and the finish venue to the University of Cape Town.
From its humble beginnings with 3 593 entrants in the Half Marathon's inaugural year, the event has since grown into one of the most popular half marathons in the country - attracting 16 000 runners from across the globe.
It was ultimately the event's exponential growth and global appeal that provided the backdrop to the Two Oceans Marathon NPC's decision to introduce a ballot application process for 2017.
“It wasn't an easy decision to make, but the demand for Half Marathon entries has far exceeded the availability for a number of years now, and the entry rush has placed incredible strain on our entry system and affected its communication with banking servers,” explains Carol Vosloo, General Manager of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC.
"We strongly believe that the move to a ballot application system will offer runners a smooth, inclusive, fair and audited entry process, and a better experience overall.”
Ballot Process
The new ballot system is an applications process whereby prospective Half Marathon participants will have the opportunity to submit their application – or interest to enter - through the online applications system via the OMTOM website.
Blue Number Club runners, as well as Yellow number holders that are about to run their 10th Half Marathon will be the only runners excluded from this process. They will receive an exclusive invitation to enter and pay between 31 October and 10 November 2016. No application is necessary, and this invitation is not transferable. 1 000 entries are available in this pool.
Club and general runners will have the opportunity to submit their ballot application between 1 November and 4pm on 10 November 2016, via the online system on the OMTOM website. This will be followed by two separate audited, computer-generated random draws.
• 10 November 2016: 6 000 entries will be allocated to the pool of applicants that currently belong to a South African running club and have a valid Club license number (note that this will be up for renewal at the end of 2016). The draw will take place immediately after applications close.
• 17 November 2016: The balance of entries will be allocated to the general public ballot. Those who are unsuccessful in the Club ballot application will be added to the general ballot. The draw will take place after the 4pm Club payment deadline.
Runners whose names are drawn on these days will receive an email with a payment link.
• Club runners whose names were drawn on 10 November are required to complete their entry and pay between 12pm on 11 November and 4pm on 17 November 2016.
• Runners from the 17 November general draw will have between 12pm on 18 November and 4pm on 24 November to pay for their entry.
Runners who do not meet their payment deadline will forfeit their entry.
On 25 November 2016, all unsuccessful applicants will receive an email inviting them to run for a supporting charity, or to secure a substitution entry between 9 January and 6 March 2017.
2 000 entries will be made available to charity groups, who can apply to use the event as a fundraising platform. In 2016 over R3 million was raised through the charity entries.
Ultra Entries Are Running Out
The OMTOM Ultra Marathon seems to be set for another record-breaking entry closure, with just over 2 000 entries still available. Entries are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, and will remain open until the 11 000 limit has been reached.
"We urge runners to enter now and submit their Ultra qualifiers later to avoid disappointment,"adds Ms Vosloo.
Prospective Ultra Marathon entrants must run a qualifying marathon between 1 July 2016 and 5 March 2017, and submit their qualifying time by midnight on 6 March 2017.
The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon takes place on Friday, 14 April and Saturday, 15 April 2017.
Follow the online conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TwoOceansMarathon) or on Twitter and Instagram (@2OceansMarathon) for daily updates.
Runners may also visit www.twooceansmarathon.org.za for more information, or contact the entries team at info@twooceansmarathon.org.za or 0861 262326.