In March, Carte Blanche TV anchor Macfarlane Moleli will line up for his first full Ironman triathlon, to promote cyclist safety, and to live up to a promise he made to a good friend who was tragically killed earlier this year. – By Sean Falconer
Category: News
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How the Cheating in the 2022 Comrades Marathon was Uncovered!
With plenty of to run Comrades statistics, most fall into the interesting and inspiring categories, but uncovering cheats at the world’s greatest ultra-marathon leaves a bad taste in my mouth. – By Stuart Mann
Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Expands in 2023
After a fantastic 2022 season, which saw the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series back to near capacity attendance, title sponsor Absa together with Stillwater Sports, the organiser of South Africa’s award-winning road running series, are excited to welcome Gqeberha and Tshwane as host cities, elevating the series from three to five mass participation events in 2023.
The two new cities will add a fresh and exciting experience for runners competing in those events. The Gqeberha event will take place on 2 April, and will see more world class performances in a city that is well known for breaking records. Later in the year, runners will line up in Tshwane on 27 August, for an experiential mass participation event in the Jacaranda City.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gqeberha and Tshwane as host cities of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in 2023,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. “Growing the series from three to five events is no small feat, and would not have been possible without the support of our title sponsor, Absa, which has been a driving force since we welcomed them onboard in 2021, and other key sponsors such as PUMA, DHL and Chery, to mention just a few.”
“Another important factor that should not be overlooked is the relationships that we have with each host city, which has contributed immensely to the success of the Cape Town, Durban and Joburg events, and ultimately the series. We are excited to work with Gqeberha and Tshwane, to further grow the status of the series,” he adds.
The full set of dates of the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES will be:
Sunday 2 April 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Sunday 14 May 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
Sunday 9 July 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
Sunday 27 August 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
Sunday 24 September 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
Proudly South African Series
The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has been revolutionising the sport in South Africa since 2015. A road running celebration like no other, the series began with the Cape Town leg in 2015, with the Joburg leg added in 2016 and the Durban leg in 2017. Now, in 2023, the two new events will see the series grow to five events.
“The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series joins elites, avid runners, walkers and individuals looking to live healthier lifestyles,” continues Meyer. “World class achievements and fun for all participants go hand-in-hand at each event. In 2023 we are both excited and proud to take the action to five major cities, growing our reach while giving more South Africans the opportunity to be part of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series experience. Emphasis will be placed on hosting mass participation road races that highlight city landmarks, include magnificent views, and feature lively performances from some of the host city’s leading performing arts groups.”
In closing, Meyer adds: “We look forward to welcoming new runners to the series, but also urge the existing RUN YOUR CITY community to join us in the new cities to give Gqeberha and Tshwane the true RUN YOUR CITY experience. We can’t wait to welcome thousands of runners from across South Africa as well as elite athletes from around the world to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series in 2023.”
Sponsorship Goals
Absa Chief Executive Product Solutions, Geoffrey Lee, says that his team is equally excited about the expanded series in 2023. “Our purpose at Absa is to bring possibilities to life, and we believe that everyone should have access to all our sponsorships. When we came onboard as a sponsor of the biggest mass participation event in the country, our key objective was to get the country moving in the right direction, and help our communities and colleagues to aspire to change their lives and that of their community for the better. We recognise that now, more than ever, we need to play an even greater role in bringing the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series closer to the people,” he says.
“We have witnessed on many occasions how sport has consistently served as a powerful vehicle for societal change, and a great unifier in challenging times for our nation. Through our Together we can be more, Siyabangena campaign, which runs concurrently with the Absa RUN YOUR CITY series of events, Absa challenges all runners and walkers to be a force for good and actively create change in communities, while providing an opportunity to get active, reach performance goals, connect with other runners and explore our beautiful South African cities,” he adds.
Entries for all five events will open on Monday 5 December 2022 on the official event website, www.runyourcityseries.com.
Entries Open for 21st Dis-Chem Half Marathon
Entries are open for the 21st Dis-Chem Half Marathon and Centrum 5km Dash Fun Run, taking place on Sunday 15 January 2023.This is Gauteng’s premier half marathon, and is hosted by Bedfordview Country Club Athletics.
The race route remains unchanged, winding its way through the hills of Bedfordview, Morninghill and Primrose, and providing runners with a challenging course and spectacular views. The Half Marathon starts in Riley Road at 6am, and will have a seeded start.
Race marshals will be stationed along the route to ensure the safety of runners, while simultaneously offering them encouragement, and there will be six water points, but runners are encouraged to bring their own water. Space for club gazebos as well as catering, locker and shower facilities will be available at the finish.
The race has previously sold out within a couple of weeks of entries opening. There are 6500 entries available for the 21km race and all entrants will receive a moisture-management race T-shirt. Athletes can also choose to purchase a commemorative medal for the 21km. Entries will close on 15 December, or once the 6500 available entries are sold. The Centrum 5km Fun Run will also be back, and the first 600 entries will get a Centrum-branded moisture-management T-shirt.
Thanks for the Support!
Race Director Charn Swart says, “Bedfordview Country Club Athletics looks forward to celebrating the 21st anniversary of the race that kicks off the 2023 running season. What a fantastic journey with Dis-Chem and co-sponsors that enable races like ours for novice and seasoned runners alike to enjoy.”
Stan Goetsch of headline sponsor, Dis-Chem, adds, “We are extremely proud of our 21-year sponsorship of the event. The promotion of a healthy lifestyle, our emphasis on overall well-being and our support of the sport, has always been paramount to us at Dis-Chem. Through our long-standing relationship with Bedfordview Country Club Athletics, who continue to deliver a first-class event, we trust that we have achieved this.”
The organisers would also like to thank the following co-sponsors: Centrum, Norflex Gel, smecta, TransAct, ViralChoice and Biogen for their continued support, which has spanned many years. Their contributions remain crucial to ensuring the continued success of the event.
Funds will be raised for the two race charities: Lambano Sanctuary for orphaned children with HIV, and the Namaqua Dog and Donkey Foundation, which undertakes the sterilisation, vaccination and treatment of animals in informal settlements on the East Rand. All donations by runners, over and above their entry fee, will be matched by the Dis-Chem Foundation.
Enter online now at https://dischem21.co.za. The 21km race general entry fee is R200, while the 5km Dash race entry fee is R100 (and thereafter R70 without a T-shirt). If you have questions, please mail the organisers at [email protected].
Triple Ironman Week for SA’s ‘Forest Gump’
In July, Rehan Greeff completed his Run Forest Run TriChallenge, doing three Ironman-length triathlons in three countries in six days, to raise money to help vulnerable children. – By Sean Falconer
Kalmer’s Corner: The Big C
If it were not for the two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, this year’s Comrades Marathon would have been my Green Number 10 th … as
a supporter! – By René Kalmer
Tayla-made for Speed
Last year, emerging star Tayla Kavanagh claimed the national title over 10km, now she is plotting a course to become just the fourth SA women to break the 32-minute barrier. – By Sean Falconer
Sport Man Says: Time to Rethink How the Sport is Run
The ugly head of COVID is forcing runners in South Africa to rethink how they approach the sport, as an unsustainable model looks to be coming crashing down. – By Manfred Seidler
Soweto Marathon is the biggest One Day Race in 2022!
Having surpassed the 16 000 entry mark, the 27th edition of the Soweto Marathon is now this year’s biggest one day
race.
Soweto Marathon Trust Chairman, Sello Khunou takes tremendous pride from this achievement, and is grateful to all
those who have entered; “There is no denying that Covid put all events in jeopardy of shutting down. Through tremendous dedication, we are proud to host the 27th event and endeavour to do so to the high standards that our fans have come to expect. This latest achievement is a testament to our loyal fans entering once more – we absolutely cannot wait to have them back come 6 November. And to those who will be running for the first time: We welcome you and wish you a great race in South Africa’s biggest one-day race this year!”
There is Still Time To Enter!
After numerous calls from athletes requesting an extension of the race entry cut-off date, Soweto Marathon organisers heeded the call and so the extension was granted due to public demand. The 27th edition of The People’s Race has made the bold move to extend the closing date of entries in order to allow participants to enter their chosen distance of 10km, 21.1km, or 42.2km.
Entries will remain open until the entry cap is reached, so says Soweto Marathon Trust Chairman Sello Khunou;
“We understand the pressures that our valued runners are under – and as such we are allowing them to enter to participate in their beloved People’s Race. We take note too of their recent participation in other races and know that once the athletes have recovered adequately, they’ll be wanting to hit the streets once more! The Soweto Marathon promises to deliver another top event and I strongly encourage runners from all walks of life to enter – let us celebrate our ability to move, our health, our spirit and our beautiful country.”
So if you would like to be part of making history in out post-COVID-19 era, click here to Enter Today!
Entry Options:
Option 1: With the T-shirt included
The Marathon (42.2km): Entry Fee R550
The Half Marathon (21.1km): Entry Fee R450
Option 2: Without the T-shirt *
The Marathon (42.2km): Entry Fee R400
The Half Marathon (21.1km): Entry Fee R300
* If you change your mind about the T-shirt, you will still be able to buy one later.
STILL MORE SAVINGS FOR YOU…
Every runner that enters this year’s Soweto Marathon, no matter the distance you choose, will be given an online 20% discount voucher from Totalsports on performance shoes priced R2000 and above. That’s a minimum saving of R400 off your next pair of running shoes!
Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Entries Open 1 November
The much-anticipated news has broken that entries for the Western Cape’s most prestigious road race and Africa’s biggest running event, the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon (TTOM), will open at midday (12pm) on 1 November 2022.
To enter, runners can go to the event website, www.twooceansmarathon.org.za, when entries open for their category or event draw, and click ‘enter here.’ Runners must first create a user profile, if they do not yet have one on the system, and then follow the prompts.
Fees, Licences and Tees
The 2023 entry fees have been ratified by the TOM Board, take note all South African runners for the Ultra need to be licenced athletes and belong to a running club. All TTOM 2023 Ultra and Half Marathon runners will receive a complimentary, high quality running T-shirt courtesy of title sponsor, Totalsports.
The pricing structure for entry fees will be the following:
| Entry Type | Ultra | Half |
| Licensed SA Athletes | R735 | R390 |
| Unlicensed SA Athletes | n/a | R390 + temp licence fee, to be confirmed by WPA |
| African Athletes | R900 | R725 |
| International Athletes | R2700 | R1890 |
Ballot System for SA Entries
The ballot system will be retained for both the Ultra and Half Marathon for South African runners, in line with international best practice. Runners may enter only one event. The ballot opens on 1 November 2022 at midday and closes on 14 November at midnight. At certain stages of the ballots, the draws will be weighted in favour of various categories of runners, including Blue Number Club members, Yellow Numbers (those doing their 10th, 20th, etc) and club runners. The various rounds of the ballot draw all take place on 15 November 2022.
Runners entering via the ballot pay only once their name has been successfully drawn. Runners have until 5pm on 15 December 2022 (one month) to make their payment. Otherwise, the runner forfeits their entry and it will be allocated to another runner.
International and African entries open on 25 October 2022 and close when capacity is reached. International and African runners do not enter via the ballot system, and can pay for and secure their entries straight away. Last but not least, charity entries open on 18 November 2022 (at midday), and fees will be uploaded once final charity partners have been confirmed.
Qualifiers and Seeding
For the Ultra Marathon, runners need to run a standard marathon (42.2km) or a longer distance race on an officially timed and measured course, and any time posted from 1 July 2022 onwards can be used. The maximum allowed qualifying time for a standard marathon is five hours, and the race website contains a list of qualifying times for longer distances, at www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/event_route_info/seeding.
The time submitted by runners will used to seed them into starting batches, with faster runners in the front and slower runners at the back. The cut-off date to submit your qualifier is 6 March 2023 at 5pm, and take note that the Race Office will be conducting spot-checks to verify qualifier information submitted. If you do not see your race on the TTOM entry system, you can e-mail [email protected] for assistance.
In the Half Marathon, qualifying times are also used to seed you, so that faster runners start at the front and slower runners further back. We strongly advise you to provide a seeding time, otherwise you will unfortunately start at the back. Seeding is based on a previous 10km, 15km or 21.1km run after 1 July 2022, and again, the Race Office will be conducting spot-checks to verify qualifier information submitted. More info at www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/event_race_day/seeding-2.
If You Have Questions…
For more information on entering or other race information, you can read the list of FAQs on the event website at www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/event-info/faqs., or you can contact the event office on 021 2000 459 (general queries) or 087 133 2285 (race-related queries), or email [email protected].