RACE organisers are hoping that one of their top local athletes will cross the finish line first in the fifth Nelson Mandela Bay 1City Marathon, which will take place from Fairview Racecourse, in Greenbushes, on Saturday, December 4.
Well-known local coach from Ikhamva Athletics Club, Mike Mbambani, said several national athletes had confirmed their participation in the marathon, as it was an excellent training run for teams ahead of the Two Oceans Marathon.
“Our local athletes are ready for this marathon challenge,” he said.
“Luyanda Tshangana from New Brighton, who recently won the Pineapple 27km in Port Alfred, is in great shape and is a strong contender for an excellent finish time.”
This event was last held in February 2020, when top South African runner, Ntisndiso Mphakathi, who ran for Entsika Athletics Club, thundered home with a huge lead of nearly 1km in 2:18:41.
The NMB 1 City Marathon will be the first marathon and half marathon on the running calendar for some time and many South Africa’s top long distance athletes will be competing to qualify for Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons next year.
There has been a lot of interest from out of town, particularly East London, and over 500 athletes have already entered.
Thanks to the support of the Nelson Mandela Municipality and their well-established Legacy Project sponsorship, the male and female marathon winners will pocket R15 000 cash each, from a total prize purse of R171 000 for all marathon and half marathon age category winners.
The 1City Marathon organisers are inviting clubs to bring their gazebos to the venue to support their athletes at the event.
Fat Franks and Dirt Magic will be offering 40 hampers to be won in the participant lucky draw.
The NMB 1City Marathon will also be used to select the Eastern Province champions, for the best marathon time per category.
Both the 42.2km marathon and the 21.1km, presented by the Eastern Province Athletics in partnership with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, will start and finish at the Fairview Racecourse, in Draaifontein Road, Greenbushes, Gqeberha.
The marathon is a qualifier for the Two Oceans and Comrades races.
The entry fee for the marathon is R180; however, EPA-registered participants 60 and over will pay R100.
The 21.1km fee is R120; EPA-registered participants 60 and over will pay R80.
The temporary license costs R40.
Entry to the marathon closed on November 29, while collection of race numbers will take place at the EPA offices, Westbourne Oval, from 09:00 to 18:00 on Friday, December 3.
For more information, contact Michael Mbambani on 079 149 6796, or Irene on 083 299 1775.
