Online map available for south africa’s most beautiful

The route of South Africa‟s most beautiful ultra-marathon, The Old Mutual Two Oceans race that meanders through suburban Cape Town past Table Mountain and over Chapman‟s Peak, is once again available in an interactive online format from the official Two Oceans website.

The map‟s simple interactive features allow users to zoom in onto specific points along the route or to access a complete list of race watering or medical points and practical distance related information that runners can use for pre-race preparations.

The map – sponsored annually by leading map provider MapIT – displays the 56-kilometre ultra-marathon, and the shorter 21-kilometre half marathon against an overlay of the route onto a detailed street map of Cape Town and surroundings.

“The organisation and execution of the race is a complex logistical challenge that affects competitors, support crews, spectators and residents,” says Marketing Manager of Two Oceans Marathon, Stefanie Schultzen. “The graphic display of the route at street level detail and the accompanying list of support points answer questions about the most important aspects of the race – our support for the runners along the route.”

Simple menu tabs alongside the map enable users to select the marathon or the ultra-marathon route. Further prompts guide the user to views of refreshment or medical stations positioned strategically along either route. A click on „view refreshments stations‟ for example, displays the complete list of water stations on the route and a brief description of street, geographic or suburban locations.

An additional click on any of the listed points displays the relevant station on a street level view of the route map with distances indicated at 1-kilometre intervals. A simple graphic interface aids a similar „click and view‟ process. For example, a „point-and-click‟ on any specific section of the route, displays a close up view of refreshment and medical stations at or near that point on the map.

“Our map offers basic but useful information for everybody involved with the race,” says Ray Wilkinson, managing director of MapIT. “The map offers information that anybody, runners, local residents or spectators can use for race day planning. We‟re proud to continue our traditional support of this famous event.”

Interested parties can access the Town Oceans website and the map on www.twooceansmarathon.org.za.