Big numbers define Oceans Marathon
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The numbers say it all. This year
the Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon will be run for the 48th time,
while the half marathon will be run for the 20th time and Old Mutual’s
sponsorship of the event celebrates its 18th year. What defines this
event is long term commitment.
For the past four years Old Mutual
has also offered a million rand prize bonus to the winning male and
female runner who break the course records in the Ultra Marathon.
“The
company has been around for more than 170 years,” says Karen Thomas, Old
Mutual Head of Brand. “Old Mutual has staying power, and so
does an
event like the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon. -To complete something as
challenging as the Old Mutual Two Oceans or Comrades Marathon, you need
a sound plan, great advice, dedication, perseverance and an ability to
invest your time and energy wisely. All of these strengths all speak to
the Old Mutual way of thinking.”
For Old
Mutual, sponsoring events like the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon is
also an opportunity to contribute towards social development, and a way
to inspire people to do great things.
Countless
stories are told each year of how people have changed their lives
through events like the Old Mutual Two Oceans, or how others have been
inspired by seeing friends and family compete. The Old Mutual Two Oceans
Marathon is anything that a runner needs it to be - a challenge, a
motivator, an inspiration, a way back from personal tragedy, and a life
turning point.
“It’s
heartening to know that so many people look to the Old Mutual Two Oceans
Marathon as a form of inspiration,” says Thomas. “That is ultimately
our aim; to provide through sponsorship the opportunity for people to
invest in themselves, to enrich their lives and make it more fulfilling
and enjoyable.”
By sponsoring initiatives like the
Runners’ Village, where disadvantaged or financially insecure runners
are able to stay over the Easter Weekend, Old Mutual contributes to the
upliftment of the wider running community. The company also encourages
runners to run for More Than Yourself, an initiative that enables Old
Mutual Two Oceans participants to sign up and run in aid of various
charities.
Also spearheaded by Old Mutual and
their partner Wildlands is the new #GoGreen campaign. Specially
constructed Throw Zones will be dotted around the route and runners are
asked to dispose of their waste in these Throw Zones. The plastic will
get upcycled and transformed into school desks after the event.
“It’s all about the bigger picture,
making an investment in people and ideas, and staying the course for the
long haul,” says Thomas. “You can’t change things overnight. Change,
improvement, innovation and success all come with commitment and time.
We like to think we are on the right track with our sponsorship of
events like Old Mutual Two Oceans; we like to think that people have
improved themselves over the years and that we have helped play a small
part in that.”
Other
endurance events Old Mutual also sponsors include the Old Mutual Om die
Dam Marathon, the Comrades Marathon and the Old Mutual joBerg2c, a
nine-day mountain bike race. More information on these events,
and on the Wild Series events, can be found at the World of Endurance
website. The site offers a comprehensive listing of all Old Mutual
events, and features extensive advice on how to conquer your endurance
challenges.
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