The Nedbank Matha Series in Bloemfontein on 21 April is open to runners of all standards, and presents an ideal opportunity for local runners to rub shoulders with some of South Africa’s finest athletes.
The event is sure to attract the cream of South Africa’s distance running athletes, with over R200,000 prize money up for grabs, including R20,000 first prizes for men and women.
"The Nedbank Matha Series is growing in stature with every event, and we are proud to add Bloemfontein to the race calendar," says Andy Scott, Head of Nedbank Group Sponsorships.
“Nedbank remains committed to providing world-class events for road runners across South Africa, and we are confident that the people of Bloemfontein will take up the challenge on 21 April.”
The race offers the fastest course of the series to date. The route is built around a series of wide residential dual carriageway arterials, many of which offer long ‘rhythm-maintaining’ stretches that promote good times.
With a 9km separation between highest and lowest points, and only 73m in altitude change, this route, despite being at altitude, has all the ingredients to deliver fast times.
The race starts outside the City Hall in President Brand Street in the historic centre of the city and heads down towards the canal before going past the rugby, cricket and athletics Stadiums that make up Bloemfontein’s sporting precinct on Att Horak Road.
A short southern diversion takes runners into the tree-lined arterials that feed the western residential areas. Runners will turn into the Universitas suburb where a slight and gradual incline sees them circumventing the University sports fields, with the highest point on the course shortly before the half way.
Returning down Nelson Mandela drive the route passes between the university campus on DF Malherbe before rejoining De Bruyn and Paul Kruger, which takes the runners past the Greys College gates and into the events final kilometre.
The pace will pick up as runners pass the 100 year old Bloemfontein Zoo on their way down Kingsway. One final turn will deliver the runners onto the Free State Athletics track with only 100 metres left, as runners strive for probably the largest purse of prize money to be offered for a half marathon in the Free State.
The closing date for half marathon entries is strictly Monday 16 April 2007. Entry fee for the half marathon is R40 and all finishers will receive a medal, t-shirt, Energade and goody bag.
Athletes may enter online at the Nedbank Sport website, or from sports shops in Bloemfontein. Entries will also be taken at the Free State Athletics office.
For aspiring runners not quite ready to take on 21,1km, the 5km fun run will present an opportunity for family members, walkers and joggers to join in the fun. Entries for the 5km fun run will be taken at the start at a price of R5.
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