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Half Marathon For 20 years of Freedom: The Mandela Day Marathon

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Runners throughout the world have the opportunity to be part, celebrate the life and commemorate the legacy of Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela, the father of the nation, and the world icon who led South Africa through its most difficult period in history. Less than a year after the passing of Nelson Mandela and in only its third year, the Mandela Day Marathon is making the event more accessible to a greater diversity of participants.


As a mark of Coming – Of – Age and moving into the 21st year of Freedom, a 21km distance has been included in the day that already offers the Flagship 42km Mandela Day Marathon and a 10km race. The half marathon addition is only the first of a number of innovations planned for the 2014 race.


“It is absolutely appropriate that the full marathon has challenged runners with a tough, unyielding uphill course: that is a fitting reflection on the life of Madiba,” said uMgungundlovu District Municipality Mayor Yusuf Bhamjee. “However, Madiba’s objective was to provide a country for people of all diversities. The addition of the half marathon will bring not only younger runners, but also open the way for those who perhaps are not yet ready for the full challenge, as well as those who are now older and less able to complete a marathon.”


“Commemorating Madiba’s legacy is about sharing the experience and atmosphere, and we want everyone to have the freedom of that opportunity,” continued Bhamjee. “We are finalizing a number of other events and opportunities and we are convinced that over 10,000 people will be participating in the Mandela Day Marathon events this year.”


Registration is set for a three day period both in Durban and Pietermaritzburg towards the end of August.


The addition of the half marathon now gives runners the option of three events:


• The “Full Mandela ” 42km,
• The “Half Mandela ” 21km
• And the 10km, while there will be a 4.664km walk and run for invited VIP’s.


The 10km kicks off at 06:30 am and all distances finish at the site where Mandela was captured, located on the Lions River road north of Midmar Dam.


Entries for all three events are available:


• online (www.Mandelamarathon.co.za ),
• by hand delivery to the MANDELA DAY MARATHON Office C10, 242 Langalibalele street Pietermaritzburg,
• by post to: Mandela Day Marathon, PO Box 3235, Pietermaritzburg, 3200.


All entries close on 31 July 2014, and no late entries will be accepted.


Given the challenge of the “Full Mandela” it is only open to registered club runners over the age of 20 years on race day, where as non-licensed runners can enter the 21km and 10km providing they are over 18 and 15 year respectively on race day.


The Full Mandela commences at 07:00 am at the Manaye Hall in Imbali Edendale, where Madiba, then known as the “black pimpernel”, gave his last speech as a free man on 26 March 1961.The 42km runners face the unrelenting and appropriately named 8km Struggle Hill to Sweetwater, before the shorter but steeper Challenge Climb to the highest point in Hilton which signals the drop towards Cedara.


The Half Mandela commences at 06:45 a.m. in the suburbs of Hilton with runners initially benefiting from the drop towards the Midlands Meander, but then facing more than a few undulations prior to running through Howick Stadium, which not only hosts the Anglo-Boer war memorial, but also the start venue for the 10km race.


All runners then enjoy the many scenic views of Midmar Dam, the Dam wall and the rolling foothills with the World famous Drakensburg Mountains as a backdrop, as they run into the Nelson Mandela Capture site.


The event is one of only six South African races registered with AIMS (Association of Marathons and Distances Races) and all distances are IAAF certified.


In the last edition of the Mandela Day Marathon attracted over 5 500 runners nationally and with 13 international countries. This is the first running since the passing of Madiba, and the number is expected to significantly increase.


With a route so full of history and character, runners, walkers and even spectators will find no better way to commemorate and celebrate the life and legacy of the icon.The three uniquely designed Mandela Day Marathon medals will be proudly displayed by all who complete the challenging route. This is one marathon that every runner will want to have completed.

The Comrades Marathon Start

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This time in four weeks it will all be over. The 2014 Comrades Marathon will be history. The dust will have settled and the aches and pains will really have set in the morning after. For the most part there will be massive satisfaction in having achieved something extraordinary.

Even though it is a long day, Comrades Marathon race day is one of small margins. Small wins throughout the day helps build confidence and allows you to claim your much deserved medal. On the flip side, small losses throughout the day can have a massive impact on your run.

On the next three editions of the Ask Coach Parry podcast, Lindsey Parry looks at Comrades race day and what you can do to maximise those small wins and limit the losses. In part one he looks at the start of the Comrades Marathon down run and a couple of the very important things to take note of when starting in Pietermaritzburg. Even though you may not suffer any losses from a time perspective before the start gun fires, ensuring that you have a smooth, stress free journey to the start line sets you up in the best possible way for success on race day.

Have a listen to Lindsey below and be sure to pop back tomorrow and Wednesday for parts two and three of this series where Lindsey will talk you through the first and then the second half of the 2014 Comrades Marathon down run.

Nedbank Green Mile

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The Comrades Marathon happening on the 1st June 2014 is the world’s oldest and largest ultra-marathon run over a distance of approximately 90 km between the capital of the KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa, Pietermaritzburg, and the coastal city of Durban. This year, the marathon starts in Pietermaritzburg and ends in Durban, a ‘down-run.’

Nedbank has been a proud major co-sponsor of the “world’s ultimate human race” since 2002 bringing fun and flair to the only official spectator point along the route in a grand, enormously entertaining, eco-friendly Green Mile, which is situated along Kloof’s Old Main Road approximately 26 km from the finish line, called the #NedbankGreenMile, a major event in itself.

This magnificent ‘green’ community spectator zone is this year themed “Rock & Roll” and is free to all supporters, and is set to create an electrifying atmosphere for over a mile in length producing an important uplifting boost to runners who will have already run a gruelling 62 km at this point. Runners passing through the #NedbankGreenMile can look forward to receiving the first Green Energade available on race day plus live performances from some of Durban’s hottest bands and DJs. Add to this photographers, dancers, Sharks Rugby cheerleaders, drum majorettes, a Scottish Bag Pipe Band, a Steel Drum Band and a Marimba Band – all from Durban and surrounding areas – and the #NedbankGreenMile looks set to be a celebration of everything local!

The #NedbankGreenMile caters for the whole family on race day. Kids and the young at heart will delight in an action-packed Kids Fun Zone where entertainment includes face painting, balloon artists and jumping castles, plus much more. Here they’ll also get to meet their favourite Super Heroes.

Runner’s supporters will also be able to keep up with the race action from the large grandstand, which will be home to a large screen TV airing live footage and race commentary throughout the day.

Staying true to brand, everything available along the #NedbankGreenMile will be sourced locally and eco-friendly including all refreshments and food. All packaging and waste will be recycled in-line with environmental awareness and suitable sustainability practices.

Easy access to the #NedbankGreenMile can be gained from the M13 Hillcrest – Pinetown alternative highway travelling east towards Durban at the Pioneer off ramp. Follow the sign boards or follow www.facebook.com/nedbanksport or @nedbanksport on twitter for more information.

All are welcome and entry to the #NedbankGreenMile is free, so come be part of the action from 08h00 to 14h00 on Sunday, 1 June 2014!

Sonja Laxton back on the road

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Sonja Laxton completed her 81st Spar Women’s Challenge in Port Elizabeth on Saturday in a time of 57.12 minutes.

It was not her best time, but for fans of the runner who has more than 70 national titles to her name, it was a time to celebrate. On November 17 last year, Sonja was hit by a car during a training run. She suffered multiple fractures, including shoulders, elbows, ribs, ankle and spine, and spent some time in intensive care at the Milpark Hospital. Many thought she would never be able to run again, but Sonja’s indomitable spirit saw her back on the road in less than six months.

“It came as a surprise to me when I heard she was running,” said her husband, Ian, who is the manager of the Spar Grand Prix.

“We’d been on holiday in the Eastern Cape, and Sonja must have hidden her RAC clothes at the bottom of her suitcase, because we arrived in Port Elizabeth and she told me she was going to run.”
Despite a swollen ankle and a still painful shoulder, Sonja was the third grandmaster to finish, well ahead of the 70 minutes Ian had predicted.

Her daughter Kim finished in 16th place, in 36.13 minutes, and immediately made her way back to find her mother and escort her to the finish line.

“I’m so proud of Sonja,” said Ian. “And the time she did is amazing, when you remember how badly she was injured.”

Charitable runners to run the distance of 10 Comrades Marathons in 10 days.

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The Comrades marathon occupies a special place in the South African soul. It’s an epic ultra marathon that many runners aspire to complete each year. Three runners have taken on the task of running the distance of 10 Comrades Marathons in 10 consecutive days to raise much needed funds for two South African charities.

The most common question for any runner in South Africa must be “Are you going to run the Comrades?”. Even as you set out as a beginner with your local running club, it won’t be long before the question is put to you. The reason? The Comrades occupies the highest rung in the climbing ladder, it’s the pinnacle, the big one, the ultimate human race, Probably the best of its kind in the world and it’s right here in our own back yard.

Even international runners eye the Comrades and a must do in their running career. An event that must be completed even if only once.

So imagine the overwhelming task of running this event ten times over ten days. Three runners – Hazel Moller, Hilton Murray and Carlo Gibson will be doing exactly this to raise money for Pets in Townships and Pink Drive.

Their journey of 900km will begin on 23 May 2104 from Bedfordview in Johannesburg and follow an 9 stage route down to Pietermaritzburg, finishing the tenth and final stage with the running of the official Comrades Marathon on 1st June 2014.

The Comrades is the yardstick for the daily stages, this is not an official Comrades Marathon event. Although in some ways this is similar to the carrying of the torch in Olympic terms.

They have called their charity drive the Ten10 Challenge and have setup a website – http://www.ten10.co.za. Donations can be made online and messages of support and encouragement can be posted on their Facebook page (facebook.com/tencomrades) or on Twitter (twitter.com/hazel_moller).

Their support team will be posting regular updates to share their experiences as they travel the incredible 900km distance through South Africa.

The challenge has already gained a lot of interest as runners, athletes and nutritionalists follow and discuss the demands of running such long distances each day.

Sponsors are also actively sought to assist with helping with vehicles, food, accommodation and other requirements. A list of requirements is on the website and sponsors would enjoy exposure as the challenge gains coverage in the media.

The runners would be grateful for donations of any amount towards their efforts and look forward to reading all the messages of encouragement.
 

Javier Gomez brilliant again as he wins the Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town (Photo credit: Chris Hitchcock)

Lesotho Ultra SkyMarathon gets international recognition

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Africa’s first Ultra SkyMarathon® continues to move steadily onto world stage As entries for the 2014 Lesotho Ultra Trail continue to pour in from around the world, including Spain, Belgium, Austria, England, North America and Australia, as well as continued local interest from aspirant skyrunners in Southern Africa, the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF) has announced that Africa’s first Ultra SkyMarathon® will be recognised as one of their official World Ranking ultra races for 2014.

Being one of only thirty six top global events in this category, as well as one of only two events selected from the African continent, the Lesotho Ultra Trail heads into only its second year with already some big shoes to fill. Race director Andrew Booth of KZN Trail Running comments:

“The growth and interest in the Lesotho Ultra Trail has given the organising team confidence in the kind of race we are presenting. The nature of the challenge and remoteness of parts of the trail hold great allure. When you finish this race you know you’ve been on an adventure, the battle scars will tell you that.”

The elite runner field is also beginning to heat up with confirmation from current Skyrunner® World Series partners INOV-8 international, that UK-based team members Ben Abdelnoor and Tracy Dean will be making the trip down to the “Mountain Kingdom” to toe the staring line alongside some of South Africa’s top trail athletes including Kane Riley, Lucky Mia, defending men’s and women’s title holders Andrew Hagen and Tracy Zunckel, Su Don Wauchope, Meg Mackenzie and Iain Don Wauchope. Further interest has also been shown by the likes of American ultra runners Dakota Jones (winner of the 2012 Transvulcania) and Mike Wolfe (2nd at the 2013 Lavardo Ultra Trail) who missed last years event to a last minute change in itinerary.

Booth continues: “Having such a strong group of elite athletes at the Lesotho Ultra Trail makes race day very exciting, we are able to track the leaders progress through our radio communications network and we’ll be beaming this out to the world who continue to take a keen interest in our race.”

A handful of entries for the event, which will be held on Saturday the 29th of November and forms part of the South African Skyrunner® Series, are still available. For more information about the Lesotho Ultra Trail, please visit www.lesothoultratrail.com or follow the event on Twitter and Facebook. About the Lesotho Ultra Trail

In the heart of the Lesotho Highlands lies the Maluti Mountains, some of the best terrain for high altitude running in the world. Serving as the “veins” of this region, an intricate network of trails exists along the valleys and mountain flanks, connecting many of the remote villages. Used primarily by livestock and shepherds, many of the mountain passes have been established by hand, allowing people and animals to pass through the Maluti Mountain Range on foot. It is this ancient philosophy of man’s primal need to explore and conquer his surrounding terrain that has lead to the development of the Lesotho Ultra Trail in 2013, a 50km high altitude skyrunning event, staged in the Tsehlanyane National Park, Lesotho.

Winner Jodie Stimpson crosses the finish line at the Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town.(Photo credit: Jeff Ayliffe)

Bela Bela 5150 Entries Open

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The bushveld bash in Bela Bela, the 5150 Bela Bela Triathlon is back this year on 23 August at Forever Resorts Warmbaths. Enter now and be part of South Africa’s fastest growing triathlon series and take on the 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run.

Entries to one of South Africa’s new favourite triathlons are now open and another sell-out field is expected. The 2013 event saw record numbers with 1400 athletes competing to either qualify for the Hy-Vee 5150 US Championship, reach a personal best or simply have fun. Team entries are also allowed for those who are not quite ready to take on the full distance.

The 5150 Bela Bela Triathlon is the perfect way to start the new triathlon season and a great excuse to have that mid-year family getaway. Situated only two hours from Johannesburg and just over an hour from Pretoria, Forever Resorts Warmbaths is the ideal location for a fun weekend and great triathlon racing.

The 1.5km swim takes place in the Forever Resorts Warmbaths ski dam while the 40km bike takes athletes out of the resort before returning to complete the 10km run within the resort.

The 5150 series is the ideal starting platform for budding triathletes as the distances are manageable yet also long enough to be very competitive. The 5150 Bela Bela Triathlon is the first qualifier to the 2015 Hy-Vee 5150 US Championship offering an R85 000 prize purse, series points for professionals and 10 Hy-Vee 5150 US Championship qualifier slots for amateurs.

General entry is R880 for individuals and R1350 for teams. General entries run until midnight 25 July 2014 or until the race is sold out. Entries are limited to 1400 only. Enter today and be part of the excitement in Bela Bela this August. Enter online at www.5150.co.za.

Spar Grand Prix Wide Open

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The Port Elizabeth leg of the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge series at Pollock Beach on Saturday is likely to be a cracker, with some of South Africa’s top road runners battling it out for top spot.

Runners to watch include the winner of the Cape Town leg, Diana-Lebo Phalula, who changed coaches recently and appears to have taken on a new lease of life. Phalula won the Two Oceans Half Marathon on April 19, 0.23 seconds ahead of defending champion Rene Kalmer. They are both running on Saturday and the struggle for dominance in the race could result in a fast time.

Kalmer came a disappointing seventh in Cape Town, just a week after competing in the world half marathon championships in Copenhagen, but she will be going all out to reclaim her title as queen of the road. She did not run last year, because of international commitments, but she has described Port Elizabeth as her favourite race.

But Phalula and Kalmer will have plenty of opposition. Nedbank have entered a strong team, which includes Ethiopian Hunduma Gumeda, Zimbabwean Rutenda Nyahora, and former Grand Prix winner Irvette van Zyl.

Boxer also have a strong contingent with last year’s Grand Prix winner, Mapaseka Makhanya, as well as Nolene Conrad, Christine Kalmer and Janene Carey.

While all the runners will be aiming for top spot and the generous prize money on offer, the South Africans will also be trying to earn valuable Grand Prix points. The Grand Prix rewards the top runners competing in the five Challenge races, which are held around South Africa. The winner will receive a car and the runner-up R30 000. There are also prizes on offer to the top runners in the various age categories.

Kalmer has won the Grand Prix on three occasions, and Van Zyl has won it twice. Phalula has made it known that she intends to maintain her lead at the top of the leaderboard and walk away with the keys to a brand new Nissan Micra, but all the top runners will be going all out to ensure that she doesn’t have it all her own way.

Phalula is currently at the top of the leaderboard with 30 points, followed by Conrad, with 18. Makhanya is in third position, with 16 points. However, with four races still to go, the Grand Prix is wide open.

Life Left in Ramaala’s Legs…

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All eyes at this year’s Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon were watching to see if anybody could break the elusive course records and claim the R1 million incentive, but come the end of the 56km ultra-marathon, with both records still intact, the talk was all about the superb run by 42-year-old Hendrick Ramaala in his first race beyond the marathon mark.

Cresting the monster climb at Constantia Nek in the leading group of three runners, along with Lebenya Nkoka and Masilo Matjiane from Lesotho, Hendrick Ramaala was very much in unknown territory. The 46km mark was behind him and ahead lay just 10km more, but his legs were beginning to suffer, and he could only watch as eventual winner Lebenya pulled away one kilometre later. A while later he lost second place to another Lesotho runner, Warinyane Lebopo, but clawed his way back to finish second in 3:11:33, less than two minutes behind the winner’s 3:09:52.

Understandably elated, Hendrick said afterwards that he really enjoyed the run, despite finding it hard towards the end. “I didn’t do enough mileage in preparation for the race and I struggled after 42km, but I’m still happy with my performance. I really enjoyed myself here at Two Oceans and I plan to come back next year – with more training I know I can do better.”

TRUE PEDIGREE

Given his incredible track record, Hendrick’s successful step up to ultra-marathoning should come as no surprise. He holds the SA records for 10 000m on the track (27:29.94) as well as 20km (57:46) and the half marathon (60:07), and he has the fastest time ever by a SA runner for 21.1km, having clocked 59:20 on an aided course in Lisbon in 2000. Hendrick has represented SA in four Olympics and at five World Athletics Championships, and he was twice runner-up in the World Half Marathon Champs (and also placed fourth), while also helping the SA team to two first place finishes as well as second and fourth.

However, it in is the marathon that Hendrick has enjoyed his greatest success. From a SA perspective, only Gert Thys (2:06:33) has gone faster than his 2:06:55, and Hendrick has wracked up a remarkable eight top-10 finishes in the London Marathon and six in the New York Marathon. That includes winning New York in 2004 and finishing second in 2005 and third in 2007, and coming home third in London in both 2005 and 2006. He also won the 2004 Mumbai Marathon and recorded top-10 positions in Paris, Chicago and Berlin!

Inevitably, Hendrick is now being asked if he will move up to the ultra’s permanently, but he says he reckons he still has at least three more years of hard racing left in his legs, so the marathon is still very much in his sights. He says he would like to run one of the major Big City Marathons later this year, but if he cannot gain entry into New York or Chicago, he may run the Cape Town Marathon in September, which would actually be his first standard marathon on home soil. “Then next year I want to run the marathon at the World Championships in China, and I want to go to the Rio Olympics in 2016. I think I still have the leg speed to be competitive, so the youngsters must watch out!”

PODIUM ROUND-UP


In the women’s ultra, Nina Podnebesnova of Russia was first over the line in 3:40:07, having passed a fading Shitaye Gemechu Debellu of Ethiopia (3:43:37) in the closing kilometres. Elena Nurgalieva was third in 3:43:59, while fifth-placed Paulina Njeya was the first South African home in 3:50:48. The half marathon titles went to defending champion Stephen Mokoka in 1:04:16 (his third win) and Lebo Phalula in a PB 1:14:00. In the trail runs, the 22km titles went to Thabang Madiba and Landie Greyling, while the 10km titles were won by Tarisai Rukadza and Annamart Laubcher.

This year the ultra attracted a record entry of 11 348, up on last year’s 11 053, while the half marathon once again sold out its 16 000 entries as 4000 more runners were turned away, and runners from more than 80 countries travelled to Cape Town for what is known as the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon.

First To Break Three

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This year marked the 35th anniversary of the first sub-three-hour marathon by a woman in Africa – run by then 22-year-old South African Clare Davie. In the span of just over a year, Clare slashed 13:07 off the SA record in four races, and today remains an active sportswoman. 

In 1979, Clare’s “plotting and scheming” after her 10:41 finish at the 1978 Comrades Marathon paid off when she clocked 3:01:32 at the Johannesburg Marathon that February, shattering the SA record of 3:05:02 that was set in 1974 by 15-year-old Suzanne Gaylard. A month later, she went still faster at the Interprovincial Marathon in East London, clocking 2:57:26 to become the first ever South African woman to break three hours. It was also the first sub-3:00 by a woman on the African continent.

“After Comrades, I joined Ivor Lazerson’s running group and worked on my speed, and I added golf course runs and hills,” explains Clare, now 57 and living in Johannesburg. “It was a special day in East London, because whatever level you’re on, a PB is a PB… but you always think you have a better time in you.” And that she did, because later that year, in September’s Stellenbosch Marathon, she lowered the record to 2:56:28, then chopped off a few more minutes the following March at the Peninsula Marathon, where she finished with a personal best and fourth and final national record of 2:51:55.

FROM POOL TO ROAD

Clare actually started her sporting career in the pool. In 1975 she placed third in the 800m freestyle at the SA Nationals, also competing in the 400m, but ironically, it was in the pool that her running career was kick-started, “George Jacobson, a 200m butterfly Springbok, told me that we were ‘Hot for Comrades’,” says Clare. So, after buying a pair of Tiger Onitsuka running shoes at a Men’s Outfitter – there weren’t any women’s running shoes on the market back then – and getting a running vest made to her size by a member of Rockies who owned a tie factory, Clare sewed the Rockies colours on herself and hit the road.

“We ran on our own during the week and joined Rockies for their Sunday run. By 1977, we were ready for a marathon, so off we went to run the Potch to Stilfontein Marathon, and that’s where it all began…” Her first sub-3:00 came at a time when she had just completed her B.Com and had signed articles with Alex Aiken & Carter (today’s KPMG), working to become a chartered accountant, so she had to dedicate mornings before work and lectures to train, or time after work. “The Board Exams were in May 1979, and I did the sub-3:00 in March. We got some leave, but two years working part-time while also training was difficult!” Somehow, she still managed to run four SA marathon records, and also ran the Sea of Galilee Marathon in Israel in late 1978, as well as the Avon Women’s Marathon in London and the Nike Oregon Marathon in the USA in 1981.

STILL SWIMMING


During the 70’s, the Masters Swimming Programme took off around the world, which Clare later joined, and this year she swam her 20th SA Masters Event. “I went as hard as I could for as long as I could. Up to my early 50’s, I would love to do endurance sets, say 20x200m, and grind my training partners to fatigue!” That saw her Masters Swimming career hit a high point in 2012 when she clinched the 200m backstroke gold medal at the World Masters in Italy in the 55-59 age category. However, her competitive days came to an end when doctors recommended she slow her heart rate.

“Now my swimming is social. I’ve changed focus and concentrate on technique, swim open water with anyone I can find, and I watch my heart rate in the gym.” Still, she hasn’t hung up her goggles completely – just last month she took on the Dolphin Mile in Durban alongside Comrades legend Helen Lucre. “I still get up to train in the mornings, six days a week, and if I was 30 years younger, there would be more events to do, but I’m quite happy to be acting my age.”

Today, Clare is retired from the SA Institute of Accountants but maintains her interest in income tax legislation, and she’s actively involved in organising swimming events, notably the annual Dis-Chem Sun City Swim. She says it’s all about living the lifestyle. “In my twenties, most of my friends were partying while I was marathon training, and I’m happy to still be fit and active today. My poor husband… he ran Comrades the year I was pregnant with our daughter, Stacy, and I managed to get him to swim a couple of Midmar Mile events, paddle down the Orange River last Easter and Ski in Italy in December,” she laughs.