Entries Open for Tshwane Matha

Entries for the 2008 Nedbank Matha Series in Tshwane, Gauteng, are now open, with the Half Marathon (21.1km) and fun run (5km) taking place at the High Performance Centre at the University of Pretoria on Saturday, 19 January 2008.

This will be the first in the Series of six Nedbank Matha events in 2008.   The race starts at six o’clock in the morning at the entrance to the Pretoria University’s High Performance Centre, and finishes at the adjacent LC de Villiers rugby field.

The route is fast and flat, passes by the Union Buildings and winds through the embassy precinct, and leafy suburbs of Tshwane.

"This is an ideal opportunity for athletes to run past some of the capital’s historic and architectural features, with the wide tree-lined and straight roads to assist runners in search of fast times," said Patrick Baransky, Nedbank’s road running sponsorship manager.

Athletics South Africa (ASA’s) Manager for Communications and Events, Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane, says: "We are expecting a good turnout for the Half Marathon which is fast becoming a popular event.

"This will be a fun-filled day all round, which is why we would like everyone to come and enter for a race of their choice. You don’t have to be a high profile athlete to have fun on the day. For the less brave, they can come and enjoy a 5km Fun Run or Walk."

"This will be the first of our Nedbank events in 2008, and we are calling on everyone to come and enjoy the day with us. The 5km Fun Run is also a good event to start with for those athletes wanting to enter the realm of road running."

The Half Marathon is a pre-entry event and the entry fee is R40. No entries will be taken on the morning of the game. All entrants in the half marathon will receive a goody bag, t-shirt and medal.

Officials will be on site to take entries for the 5 kilometre fun run on the morning of the event. Entries for that event cost R10.

Entry forms are available from the following venues: In Pretoria; Baseline Runners, Running Inn and Run-a-way Sports.  In Johannesburg; Bedford Runner, Randburg Runner, the Sweatshop in Dunkeld and the Sweatshop in Fourways.