The city of Port Elizabeth (PE) has a history of producing some of South Africa’ fastest marathon times, and PE has once again been designated by Athletics South Africa (ASA) to host the Nedbank SA Marathon Championships on Saturday 10 February 2007.
ASA today confirmed that, while provincial team entries have already closed, the closing date for individual entries to participate in the Nedbank Port Elizabeth City Marathon and 10km Road Race has been extended to Wednesday 7 February.
The Nedbank City Marathon and Nedbank Matha Series is open to runners of all standards and the Port Elizabeth SA marathon champs presents an ideal opportunity for runners to produce personal best times and fast qualifying times for races like the Old Mutual Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons.
The Port Elizabeth course is fast, flat and almost identical to the one which, over 20 years ago, produced the two fastest marathons ever run on South African soil – Zithulele Sinqe’s 2:08:04, following closely by Willie Mtolo’s 2:08:10 in the 1986 SA Marathon Championships. In the two years prior to that both Ernest Seleke and Mark Plaatjes had produced sub–2:10 marathons on more-or-less exactly the same course.
The race starts and finishes at the Victoria Park High School in Walmer, and leads through Summerstrand, Springfield, Carlo, Lorrain, Kama Park, Theescomb and Humewood. A 6 o’clock early start has been scheduled to beat the summer heat and organisers and athletes alike, will be holding thumbs for a wind-free day.
A total prize package of over R1 Million is on offer between the marathon, which includes a wheelchair competition, and the 10km races. First prize for the marathon is a whopping R100,000 for men and women, with prizes to 20th position as well as attractive age category and provincial team prizes.
First prize for the 10km Race is R5,000 (men and women), with prizes to 10th position, as well as junior prize money to 10th position, making it one of the richest 10km races in the country.
The wheelchair race offers a R60,000 first prize and several of the world’s greatest wheelchair athletes are anticipated to compete, including South Africa’s Krige Schabort and Ernst van Dyk.
Entries are just R65 for the marathon and R25 for the 10km and all finishers will receive a t-shirt and goody bag, a bottle of Energade and a commemorative medal.
Runners can enter either at sports shops in Port Elizabeth, or at the offices of EP Athletics, Westbourne Oval, Central, Port Elizabeth, or Athletics South Africa, No 3 11th Ave, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg.
On-line entries are available at www.nedbanksport.co.za <http://www.nedbanksport.co.za/>. Enquiries should be directed to EP Athletics (041) 374 2818.
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