Two mighty ocean currents, one from the Equator and one from the icy Antarctic collide off the southernmost tip of Africa at Agulhas. It is here at the fairest Cape of all during the autumn season of Easter that over 10 000 runners line up each year to run the world's most beautiful marathon. The first 22 kilometres of this epic voyage are fairly flat and it is easy going from the start outside the famous brewery in Newlands, through the Cape Town suburbs of Wynberg and Plumstead. These first, early kilometres are run mostly in the dark. This is a good stretch to get your pacing right, check on your pre-race plan and reflect on the task ahead.

A colourful bobbing mass moves forward through darkened streets as whistles and cat-calls bounce off on looking buildings. As the sun rises, you catch the earliest glimpses of the first ocean, the warm Indian. The following easy six kilometre stretch from Muizenberg, through St James, Kalk Bay, Clovelly and onwards to Fish Hoek provides ample opportunity to enjoy the beautiful view of False Bay bordered by the Cape Peninsula Mountains on one side and the Hottentots Holland Mountains on the other. On occasion you may have to do battle with the notorious Cape Doctor, the Southeaster wind. But with some luck, on a calm day, this could be the single factor that helps the ambitious to get a silver medal and the desperate to make the time limit. Bask in the morning light of the quaint and gaudy village atmosphere that makes up this undemanding passage. Here you pass some celebrated heritage sites, Rhodes Cottage and the Edwardian Beach Houses to name but a few. There is always a friendly and enthusiastic reception from the residents of Fish Hoek as you approach the abrupt "bump" and right turn at the far end of the town.

To do well in the Two Oceans Marathon it is wise to approach the race with disciplined caution up to this point. The run up this section should feel like nothing more than a slight pull on the legs. Between 22 and 25 kilometres lies a mentally tricky stretch with little to distract you from the slight gradient. Soon the Indian Ocean disappears from your view and the route winds its way along Kommetjie Road. Expect an exuberant throng at Sun Valley and Louw's Corner and take care not to be sucked into the crowd’s energy here, for the real work still lies ahead.

The halfway mark at 28 kilometres is some way before deceptive Little Chapman's. This stretch of slight inclines and some flat running provides good opportunity to drink and to mentally prepare for the real test ahead, Chapman's Peak. Focus on the magnificent view across Noordhoek Beach as the icy Atlantic Ocean greets you, rather than on a sometimes testing gradient. From the base of the Peak to its final dramatic drop into Hout Bay some ten kilometres away, what follows must surely be the most attractive miles in the entire running world. With a rugged wall of rock on the one side and the icy blue ocean far below, this is a rare treat. It is here that the race surely earns its reputation as the world’s most beautiful marathon.

Chapman’s Peak is a steep and hard slog, make no error. It will force your pace to slow. Perhaps it is just as well, because the majestic view of both mountain above and moody Atlantic below is something that will remain with you long after the pain and discomfort of the charge down the badly cambered road into Hout Bay is forgotten. Do not be fooled by the rocky outcrop masquerading as the top of Chapman's Peak - the real one is around the corner, about a kilometre further on. Beware of the enthusiasm that may overtake you here for each horizon appears to be a summit, each summit a mirage. Restraint now will be rewarded on the other side of the Peak. Sooner than expected, you reach that illusive top where a welcome refreshment point awaits you at a height of 180 metres above sea level.

As you descend Chapman's Peak into Hout Bay, your legs will take a hammering. Across the bay, the charming fishing harbour watched on silently by the rocky outcrop of the Sentinel once again underscores this race’s reputation. With an unpretentious flamboyance the town welcomes you with a generosity that can only be found in a place of such abundant beauty and culture. This is more than enough to lift flagging spirits and provide a pleasant distraction from the discomfort experienced while re-adjusting to the flat surface. Look around and you will see the gun batteries built by the British during the Napoleonic wars to protect the bay. The bronze statue on a rock overlooking the bay honours a leopard who sat there for hours in days gone by.

The monstrous scramble up Constantia Nek begins almost imperceptibly at the 40-kilometre mark outside Kronendal. This is a landmark which boasts the oldest homestead in Hout Bay. The climb, with its many twists and turns becomes harder and steeper as the hill progresses. It is not the scenery, but the hill that now occupies your mind. Resolve to keep on running, even if it is reduced to only a shuffle. It is perfectly respectable to walk up this section. On reaching the summit, there is great reward. You will be greeted by thousands of enthusiastic spectators and television cameras. Pause and look back, you have climbed 215 metres in just over six kilometres. Mercifully the 46-kilometre marker heralds the summit of Constantia Nek. This is a good time to raise your arms and steady yourself for the final assault.

The Two Oceans Ultra Marathon is known as a formidable challenge and there are still a few more demanding surprises in store. As you run through Cecilia Forest there are two unpleasant little climbs both with unmentionable names, between 48 and 50 kilometres. On the cool wooded slopes of the mountain it is the sheer beauty of the area and the enthusiasm of the warm Cape Town crowd that will pull you, now tired but heroic, along this shaded road. From Kirstenbosch with only four kilometres left your thoughts turn to the finish as you canter straight on down the hill. The route continues along the cool and beautiful tree-lined Rhodes Drive, imposing mountains tower on your left.

At the 53rd marker board you take a sharp upward turn to the left into Union Avenue. Here lies a challenging little rise known by many names but relished by few. The end is finally in sight, Union Avenue is the double carriageway that takes you to the university’s rugby fields and the finish. Remain in the left-hand lane, the majestic slopes of Devil's Peak tower alongside as you enter the Upper Campus of the University of Cape Town. The hard work is done; all that is left is the length of the two rugby fields before a cheering and colourful crowd. This is a moment you will treasure forever. At last the world’s most beautiful marathon has drawn to a close and at Drake’s ‘fairest cape of all’ you fondly cherish one of life’s most challenging and awe inspiring "voyages of discovery".

The well-attended Expo at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town is open three days prior to the race. At the UCT finish there are toilets, showers, food vendors and refreshments. Parking is adequate and there is a tog-bag tent, beer tent with a big screen TV as well as a club gazebo area. An official race photographer is in attendance. A shuttle bus provides free transport from the finish to the car parks at the neighbouring schools.