AFTER world record-setting runs last year, the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km is set to return to Nelson Mandela Bay on March 6, bigger and better.
The elite, by-invitation-only event received a boost with the announcement that qualifying age groupers are now welcome to enter the event with the aim of setting new world bests from age groups 35 all the way to 65.
“Last year’s event was a huge success, where not only world records were set in the men’s and women’s race, but numerous continental records and age group bests,” said Nick Bester, national team manager of the Nedbank running club and race director of the event.
“We are now excited to announce that besides the elite athletes, we are welcoming qualifying age group athletes.”
Another first for the event was the announcement that World Athletics (WA), who govern the sport around the world, had awarded a WA label to the event, the first ever ultramarathon in the world to be awarded this honour.
“Through the hard work of the team putting all this together, it’s amazing that in only our second year, we are continuing to create history with the awarding of this label to the event,” said Bester.
Nedbank Breaking Barriers 50km has secured a three-year sponsorship from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, which underscores the high benchmark for road running that this event has set.
The event will be limited to a field of 200 entries only, and Bester encouraged athletes to submit their entries to be accepted into the event, which will also be broadcast live on both SABC and SuperSport.
“Our entries are filling up but we want to encourage the age groupers who qualify to take this opportunity on our fast course and be part of an event that continues to set records.”
- Elite and age group athletes interested in participating in the Nedbank Runified 50km race need to send their running resume to the NB Sport race office at nbsport@lantic.net or nickb@lantic.net to receive an invite and voucher to enter online at www.easyreg.co.za. Alternatively contact the race office at 012 541 0577.
– ISSUED BY NICK BESTER: RACE DIRECTOR, NEDBANK RUNIFIED 50KM BREAKING
BARRIERS RACE
