Grocott’s Mail’s sports editor and chief photographer, Stephen Penney, is set to become the youngest person to run 20 consecutive Two Oceans Ultra Marathons on Saturday.
Grocott’s Mail’s sports editor and chief photographer, Stephen Penney, is set to become the youngest person to run 20 consecutive Two Oceans Ultra Marathons on Saturday.
At 37 years and 341 days, he will beat the previous record by 15 days. Michael Salzwedel asked him about the achievement and why he keeps going back for more.
MS: Steve, you’re crazy! Tell me about your first Two Oceans Ultra.
SP: It was back in 1993. I was 18 and in matric at Graeme College, and was the first Graeme pupil to run it. We’d been going to Cape Town for Oceans for most of my high school career and I’d been involved as a marshal or helping out at water points. It had always been a dream of mine to run the ultra, even from primary school. In my Afrikaans essay in Standard 5 I said I wanted to run 10 in a row.
MS: Which year stands out most for you?
SP: My fourth race in 1996 was quite memorable. I ran with a good buddy, Dean Matthew. We used to train together and go to church together. We ran the whole way together. When I was in pain, he helped me; when he was in pain, I helped him.
MS: Which was your toughest year? SP: 2009. I broke my ankle in December 2008. The doctor said I couldn’t do it. I had an operation, and saw the best physio this world has to offer, Clint Henry. He also said I couldn’t do it. I promised I wouldn’t sue him if I did the race and something went wrong, and then he said that there was a slim chance that I could do it, and that was all I needed. I had intensive physio for a few weeks, then race day came. At 28km I sat on the pavement and said to my wife Terri-Lynn, “That’s it, I’m not going on any further!” But she convinced me otherwise and I finished. [Former Comrades Women's race winner] Frith van der Merwe also sent me an encouraging message, which kept me going.
MS: Why do you keep going back?
SP: I love Cape Town. Two Oceans has got to be the most beautiful race in the world.
MS: How many more will you do?
SP: I have to do my 22nd, as that will be Terri-Lynn’s 10th. From your 25th race you don’t have to pay, so I’ll have to do at least one free one, then see what happens after that. The most anyone’s done is 43 – maybe I’ll chase that record.
MS: What’s it like to compete with some of the best athletes in the world?
SP: They’re competing with me!
MS: What are your favourite and worst parts of the route?
SP: Chapmans Peak is definitely a highlight – the view is incredible. The long uphill through Constantia must be one of the worst parts – it just never ends.
MS: You must have had some interesting moments along the way over the years… give us an example
SP: The Pub of Eternal Despair is quite amusing. A few guys push it the whole way. One year they were ahead of us on Chapmans, playing a few golf shots off the mountain while having a few drinks with the sound system on full blast. Also, one year it was really rainy and the finish (UCT fields) was a mudbath and people were losing their shoes.
MS: Do you eat/drink anything special in the days leading up to a race?
SP: I carbo-load with sports drinks from about three days before the race. I eat normally before the race – I don’t make a point of filling up on pasta. In fact, the day before I like to have slap chips. On the morning of the race I’ll just have toast with marmite / peanut butter and coffee. They hand out potatoes, Bar Ones, bananas and ice cream along the way, so you’re always well nourished.
MS: Do you have a running partner for Saturday?
SP: Yes, Julie Walker, a pilates instructor in Grahamstown. We’re going to stick together. This will be her second time.
MS: Are you nervous about going for the record?
SP: No, it’s going to be an easy run. I’m aiming for 5h30m (best time was 4h24m in 2001). But 56km is still a long way, no matter how fast or slow you are.
All the best, Steve!
