The Heritage Day Road Race organised by the Mangaung Athletics Club (MAC) is set for 23 September in Bloemfontein.
The two main races, the 21,1 km and the 10 km, are of interest given financial incentives plus medals offered to those who finish.
The 5 km race is open for people with interest in pursuing a healthy lifestyle and taking part in activities as a family.
The organising club is presenting the race in partnership with Athletics Free State (AFS), with the chief objective to turn Bloemfontein into a place where competitive road running can take place.
The eventful race ties in with celebrations of Heritage Month, observed in September.
This year’s will be the fourth race of its kind, gradually growing to become a premier sporting event in Bloemfontein.
Achievements by club members at national and international competitions inspired the idea to stage the Heritage Day Road Race, in addition the successful staging of the three previous races, says Anthony Masuku, spokesperson for the club.
“The club’s long-term goal is to nurture the talent of our people, in particular youth, around the greater Mangaung and to create a platform for them to compete in provincial, national and international competitions – both road running and track and field,” he says.
The club boasts 69 members, who are employees of the Mangaung Metro Municipality.
They compete in road races across the country, including the Comrades Marathon. In this year’s Comrades 16 club members completed the gruelling down-run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
The highlight of the achievement is two women, Faith Kgaile and Mokulubete Likotsi, who completed the stamina-demanding race.
Likotsi received a Bill Rowan silver medal after finishing in 07:53.40, while Kgaile received a bronze medal, finishing in 10:55.32.
The women are expected to be among the scores to feature in the upcoming heritage race.
All the races will start at 05:00 and will finish at the at the Free State Tennis Stadium.
Entries are open for interested patrons to register. Contact Joseph Baxa on 072 625 3240.
