The Nelson Mandela Bay Athletics South Africa 21.1km Championships and 5km Fun Run will set the pace in grand style on Saturday, 28 July, with a racing prize purse and lucky draw prizes worth R850 000!
That includes a superb lucky draw prize of a brand-new Datsun Go Vehicle sponsored by race partner, Eastern Cape Motor Group and valued at R127 000, open to all participants in both the half marathon and 5km fun run, which will be drawn at prize-giving.
This 21.1km route is credited as the fastest in SA and runners will complete two fast laps along the spectator-friendly beach front. Starting in Marine Drive, at Pollock Beach, heading towards Kings Beach then turning and running through NMU, down Admiralty Road. Then it’s back to Kings Beach for the second loop before finishing back at Pollock beach.
A full road closure from 5.30am will ensure a safe run, with the 21.1km starting at 7am and the 5km fun run at 9am.
All finishers will receive medals and the first 800 entries in the 21.1km and the first 500 entries in 5km will receive t-shirts. Also, there will be stationery voucher incentives to the value of R22 500 for the top three schools with the most entries.
With R700 000 for the elite field to compete for, Mike Mbambani, Eastern Province Athletics Sponsorship Liaison, said many top athletes had already confirmed their participation.
“There’s been a generous increase in prize money with the overall winner taking home R80 000, and this year ASA have introduced a bonus incentive of R25 000, should a South African athlete finish first, boosting the winning purse to R105 000”, said Mbambani.
An exciting finish is expected on this fast-paced course, with defending champion, Stephen Mokoka, of AGN, who sprinted home in 1.01.21, ready to compete again this year.
South African athletes will compete against a strong contingent of Ethiopian, Lesotho and Kenyan runners who have confirmed their participation in the race.
Namakoe Nkhasi, of Nedbank Running Club, Lesotho, who won the recent 10km Freedom Run in Port Elizabeth and came 2nd in the Two Oceans Half Marathon will be competing and Habela Abdukadir Genet, of Nedbank Running Club, Ethopia, will be returning to add strong competition to the women’s finish line.
In support of well-known top local runner, Chris Mabengeza, who was severely injured on Uitenhage Road while training for his 16th Comrades Marathon, this year’s event aims to promote safe and clean running.
To be part of this event, enter online at www.entrytime.com or in local Nelson Mandela Bay sports shops before July 24. Registration and late entries will take place at the Summerstrand Surf Lifesaving Club from 14.00 to 19.00 on Friday, 27 July and from 05.30 on the morning of race day.
For more information, contact Mike Mbambani on 079 149 6796 or Alan Taylor on 083 658 0050.