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NMB 1City Marathon & 21.1km

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Local athletes are gearing up to take part in the Nelson Mandela Bay 1 City Marathon and 21km at the Fariview racecourse in Greenbushes on Saturday, 3 December.

Last year the marathon event attracted over 1000 eager runners with KwaZulu-Natal’s Mphatyo Nodolo, of Ama-Ravens Athletics club, sprinting to the finish-line in 2.16.04.

Irvette van Zyl, of Nedbank running club, and the first SA female to break the women’s 50km IAU Marathon world record in the 2021 Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km, led the women’s race with an incredible performance to finish in 2.35.13.

An exciting finish is expected as this year’s Comrades Champion, Tete Dijana, who was also the first runner up in the 2022 Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km race, has confirmed his participation.

“The NMB 1 City Marathon is an EPA League event and the only marathon on the EP Athletics calendar to qualify for Two Oceans and Comrades, said race organizer, Mike Mbambani.

“Athletes will be competing on a very fast World Athletics-certified route which starts and finishes at Fairview racecourse in Greenbushes.

“We are expecting new personal best times and good seedings,” said and excited Mbambani.

Thanks to the support of the Nelson Mandela Municipality and their well-established Legacy Project sponsorship, the male and female marathon winners will pocket R12 500 cash each, from a total prize purse of over R128 000 for all marathon and half marathon age category winners.

The 1City Marathon organisers are inviting Clubs to bring their Gazebos to the venue to support their athletes at the event, with a festive atmosphere planned for the finish inside the Fairview racecourse fields.

Both the 42.2km marathon and the 21.1km, presented by Eastern Province Athletics in partnership with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, will start and finish at the Fairview Racecourse, in Draaifontein Road, Greenbushes, Gqeberha.

The scenic route follows a circular route via Tembani, Westlands and Seaview Roads with an out and back loop into Lakeside road and back via Altona road.  The two distances split at 18km, thereafter the 21km route takes a left into Draaifontein Road towards the finish, and the marathon turns right to do an out and back loop into Cape Road.

This year EP Athletics have initiated a special school shoe drive to help the local community and athletes are encouraged to either purchase a pair of school shoes for primary school children (Size 9 – 5) and bring it to registration, or to make a donation towards the shoes when entering. Each athlete donating will be entered into a special lucky draw for a new pair of Nike Running Shoes.

Entry fee for the marathon is R200, however, EPA-registered participants 60 and over will pay R100. 21.1km fee is R120, EPA-registered participants 60 and over will pay R80. The temporary license is R40.

Enter online on  www.webtickets.co.za  or at Brian Bands Sports in Gqeberha or UD Sports in Kariega before Tuesday, 29 November.

Collection of race numbers will take place at Kings Beach, from 15.00 to 20.00 on Friday, 2 December and at the start of the event at Fairview Racecourse from 04h30 until 05h30 on the morning of the event.

Bus tickets for R50 from Kings Beach parking area to the start will be available. Tickets must be purchased online before the closing date on Tuesday 29 November 2022. Out of town athletes are encouraged to book accommodation near Kings Beach, Gqeberha. Busses will leave Kings Beach at 04h30.

NMB 1City Marathon Shoes
Enter the NMB 1 City Marathon and make a difference with EPA & NMBM – Athletes are invited to either purchase a pair of school shoes or make a donation when entering then stand a chance of winning a new pair of Nike Running Shoes. NMBM MMC, Mr Bassie Kamana, handed over the first batch of school shoes to excited beneficiary schools, Kuyga Primary and St Albans Primary this week. Cwenga Nose (entrant) NMBM MMC Mr Bassie Kamana, Marsha Felix (St Albans PS). Scholar in Mr Kamana’s arms, Renton Petrus, 10, Kuyga Primary School. Photo: Richard Pearce Photography

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.