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RACE PREVIEWS
Nedbank Cape Town Marathon
Sunday 27 September 2009
Fast, flat and beautiful with cool spring temperatures; this is
what the Nedbank Cape Town Marathon promises runners
tackling their first 42.2km after a long winter break from distance
running. And while Table Mountain is visually integral to the
race, participants need not worry about having to run up it!
The marathon route is designed to be fast and also shows off
the beauty of the Mother City, with Table Mountain and the sea
being central features of the race.
With an eight hour cut off, the race is accessible to anyone,
even if they decide to walk most of the way. The marathon
is deliberately designed along flat city roads to attract novice
athletes and aid top athletes in running fast times. The race starts
in Adderley Street and leaves the CBD via Woodstock. It goes
through Salt River, Observatory and Rondebosch before making
its way through Athlone, skirting past Pinelands and returning to
the city centre via the Waterfront before finishing at the City Hall.
There is also a 10km race, which starts at the same time as
the marathon and follows most of the last few kilometres of
the marathon. And if you feel like just strolling the 10km, you
certainly can, as the cut off is two hours.
Sunday 27 September 2009
The City2City Race was established over 70 years ago and has been
in the running calendar since its inception, two years in the absence
of sponsorship. Blue IQ came on board as the main sponsor of the
Blue IQ City2City Ultra Marathon in 2008.
Lucrative prize money is up for grabs in a deliberate attempt to
ensure world class entries. Dubbed as ‘the richest race in Africa’ the
prize money stands at R1.3 million. Last year, the race attracted more
than 4 000 runners and some top local and international athletes
such as Farwa Mentoor, Josiah Thugwane, Vladimir Kotov and
Johannes Kekana.
This year, spectators can expect an exciting line up of activities in and
around Newtown as all the local restaurants are planning to remain
open for business. The race adds to Heritage Day celebrations, which
customarily take place in the month
of September.
The route makes its way from Centurion through Midrand, Wynberg
and into Houghton. The first 42km are fairly flat, but once you hit
Houghton, prepare yourself for some very steep hills. With 8km to
BSG Energade
Triathlon Series
With summer around the corner, it’s time for the
2009 edition of the BSG Energade Triathlon Series,
a multi-sport event that offers avid athletes a bit
more of a challenge than the usual weekend half
marathon. With each of the seven races in the
series comprising three disciplines, athletes will
find the 5km run a breeze, but the 600m swim
and 20km cycle stages could be a test of fitness.
Not only does the triathlon cater for senior competitors, this year
there is also a category for master male athletes and for the third
consecutive year, there is a section for youngsters.
While leading athletes fight it out for the big prize money of just
under R200 000, the series offers amateur athletes, proficient
in any of the three disciplines, an opportunity to broaden their
sporting horizons. A host of spot prizes for social competitors are
up for grabs as well as great incentives for school participants.
With a total prize purse of R478 500, the race is sure to attract
some big names. Prize money of R60 000, R30 000 and R20 000
respectively, will go to the first, second and third male and female
athletes home.
Prize Winners (Men) 2008
1. Motlokoa Nkhabutlane Lesotho 2:14:16 (course record)
2. Nkoka Lebenya Lesotho 2:15:10
3. Bohosi Sechaba Lesotho 2:15:37
Prize Winners (Women) 2008
1. Samukeliso Moyo Zimbabwe 2:42:12
2. Sharon Tavenga Zimbabwe 2:42:57
3. Moleboheng Mafata Lesotho 2:43:09
Venue: Cnr Adderley and Darling Street, Cape Town
Distance: 10km/42.2km
Time: 06:30 for both races
Contact: WP Athletics Office – 021 699 0624
Athletics South Africa – 011 880 5800
Online entries at www.nedbanksponsorships.co.za or
www.capetownmarathon.org.za. Marathon and 10km entries
close on 18 September 2009.
BLUE IQ City2City
Ultra Marathon
go, Munro Drive in Houghton is the most difficult part of the race.
Once you get to the top a beautiful view of Johannesburg awaits
you. You can start celebrating when you reach the Nelson Mandela
Bridge. With 1km to go it is downhill and flat to the finish.
Start Times: 06:00 for 21.1km/50km and 06:15 for the
21.1km walk
Start Venue: Blackwood Road, Hennops Park, Centurion
(50km). Western Service Road, Woodmead
(21.1km)
Finish Venue: Miriam Makeba Street, Newtown Park,
Newtown.
Entries: Closing date for entries is 18 September.
The first 5 000 paid entries will receive a
2010 tog bag, t-shirt and peak. All finishers
will get a medal and race t-shirt. Entries can
be faxed to 011 873 2726 or enter online at
www.entrytime.com. Entry forms can also be
downloaded from the race’s website at
www.blueiqcity2city.com
Contact: The race office - 011 873 2726
The full race programme is as follows:
11 October – Midmar Dam, KZN
18 October – Potchefstroom Dam
25 October – Roodeplaat Dam, Pretoria
8 November – Germiston Lake (no kids series race)
22 November – Blouberg Strand (Big Bay), Cape Town
29 November – Pollock Beach, Port Elizabeth
6 December – North-West University, Vanderbiljpark
All kiddies’ races start at 08:00 and the senior races at 09:30.
Online entries are now open at www.bsgenergadetriseries.co.za
for adults and teens and www.kidsseries.co.za for children under
the age of 14.
Landmarks Half Marathon
and 6km Fun Run
Have you been living in Cape Town all your life but never
really had a good look at the many heritage sites that
international tourists rave about? Then this is the race for
you. The half marathon is a challenging route but you
are guaranteed to run past key landmarks in Cape Town’s
southern suburbs such as Rondebosch Common, Rhodes
Memorial, Newlands Forest and Mostert’s Mill.
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And if you don’t feel like a big effort, join in on the 6km
run/walk. Schools and families should make sure to bring
all the kids along because this race incorporates a Schools
Challenge sponsored by ADT. Prize money of R20 000 is up
for grabs for the four schools with the biggest percentage
of finishers.
Be sure to bring all old (or new) soft toys; this year
the event has introduced the ‘Running with Teddies
Campaign.’ Participants are encouraged to bring a soft toy
with them on race day and drop it off en route in collection
boxes outside the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s
Hospital, the event’s official charity.
Date: Sunday 15 November 2009
Time: 06:00 for the half marathon, 07:00 for the 6km
and 08:00 for the 750m kiddies’ race
Start: Western Province Cricket Club Sports Centre,
Rondebosch
Enquiries: Nic Molyneux – 021 657 3331
Enter at www.entrytime.com or pick up an entry form at
any Sportsmans Warehouse, New Balance outlet store and
Cape Town Tourism centres. Entries close 1 November, but
late entries will be taken on race day from 05:00. The first
400 entries in the half marathon will receive a pair of socks
from New Balance.
Saturday 24 October 2009
Delmas 4-in-1
Venue: Delmas High School Sport Grounds
Distance: 42.2km/21.1km/10km/5km/420m
Time: 06:30 for the marathon and half marathon
06h:45 for the 10km and 5km
11:00 for the 420m mini-marathon
Contact: Jacky Grassman – 079 526 6827
Online entries at www.entrytime.com. Pre-entries close
on 20 October 2009. Entries will also be taken on the
morning of the race from 05:00.
Saturday 3 October 2009
Harrismith Mountain Race
Venue: Platberg Stadium
Distance: 15km
Time: 11:00 (Walkers start at 10h30)
Contact: Pieter du Toit – 058 622 1412
Online entries at www.enteronline.co.za. Pre-entries
close on 29 September. Entries on the day from 07:00.
For a complete list
of upcoming races go to
www.modernathlete.co.za