Many make a tradition of settling down with piping hot tea and fresh hot cross buns to watch the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (OMTOM) on Easter Saturday. Those who do this, however, will be disappointed this time around, as the event will not be broadcast on television this year.
The marathon is usually screened live on SABC, but the broadcaster’s financial woes has resulted in Athletics South Africa (ASA) and the SABC cutting ties.
Speaking to Sports24, an ASA spokesperson confirmed this. “There are ongoing efforts and negotiations to find a replacement host broadcaster,” they said.
Because the OMTOM is an Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) event, the race’s officials must align with ASA. Effectively, they cannot use an alternate broadcaster.
The same may be the case for the Comrades Marathon, which takes place in June.
This year’s Two Oceans Marathon starts at 6.40am on Saturday, April 20, with runners starting on Newlands Main Road. The 56-kilometre race will conclude on the fields of the University of Cape Town (UCT). The marathon has been hailed as the world’s most beautiful race event.
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