Carla Molinaro is looking improve her Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon ahead of the Western Cape's premier ultra-distance road event this weekend. Thathe Msimango chatted to her.
Hollywood Athletics Club elite athlete Carla Molinaro had a remarkable 2024 season in which she underlined her status as one of the South African-based Ultra-Marathon runners. One of the top achievements including a sensational 03:42:17 clocking during Two Oceans Marathon to take fifth overall. In June she then battled against a quality field of athletes to run a scintillating 06:12:01 to finish fourth in the Comrades Marathon.
Now the 40-year-old will be hoping to replicate this form as she prepares to line up for the iconic Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon on 5 April in Cape Town. She revealed that her preparations have gone well leading up to race day.
“Well, I’m quite happy that I’m going to line up for the Two Oceans once again. It’s one of those races that I always look forward to participating in. Regarding the preparations, things have been good to this point. At the moment, I’m looking forward to running the race. Plus running into the streets of Cape Town has always been vibrant, “said the Cape Town resident.
In preparation for the big day, Molinaro recently put a strong performance to win the Weskus Marathon in a time of 2:46:32, taking three minutes off her previous best time and finished 11th overall in the race. The former World 50km Champion says she opted a race because of its hilly profile.
“I decided to run Weskus as part of the Two Oceans Marathon preparation race. Even last year, I did the same,” explains Molinaro, who won the race last year in 02:49:00.
“The time I managed to run this year was bit faster compared to my winning time from last year. It was part of long training run, and I didn’t have a plan in mind to win the race. So, I think with the pace, I actually surprised myself a little bit. This year before that Marathon, I didn’t do a run longer than 25km so I needed to test where I am in terms of fitness. Since I ran Valencia Marathon in December which was one of the most challenging races I’ve ever done, I haven’t done too many long runs. I think based on that performance, I could safely say things are shaping nicely on my side.”
Despite being one of the top contenders to clinch the race, Molinaro says her main goal is to improve her time in Mother City.
“I think the important thing to me is to improve my time. If improving my time takes me to better position then I’ll be happy. A podium finish will be a huge thing to me. But what’s on my mind is to better the time from last year,” she concluded.
