THE annual Heroes Marathon is back in Mthatha, bigger and better than before.
This is according to department of sport, recreation, arts and culture senior manager Bafundi Makubalo, who is responsible for the marathon funded by the department.
Unlike the 15 previous editions that all took place on December 16, the roadrunning event will for the time take place this coming Saturday.
The date coincides with the commemoration of the anniversary of world icon Nelson Mandela.
This is not the only change to be effected to the Heroes.
The route has also been changed with the new route for the 42.2km set to start at the Mthatha Airport and finish at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu.
Long-distance runners, local and international such as Ludwick Mamabolo and Zimbabwean Marko Mambo are expected to take part in the 42.2km-long ultra.
The number is supposed to grow with registration open until Friday 9pm.
Big prize-monies for winners will be up for grabs with the first male and first female to reach the ultra finish-line guaranteed to go home R90000 richer respectively.
Second place for both male and female categories will pocket R50000 while third place finishers will take home R20000 each.
In the 10km race, in which thousands are expected to compete, R10000 prize-money is reserved for the winners.
Second finishers will each be rewarded with R6000 for their efforts while those who come third will win R4000. There will be additional prizes in other categories, including some in the 5km fun run.
Makubalo said DSRAC, working with the National Heritage Council (NHC) who will handle mostly the commemoration part of the event were optimistic that the changes effected on the marathon will bring about success.
The new route was inspired among other things the reservation of heritage – that of Mandela and several other prominent individuals.
Among the heritage sites the race will pass through will be emaQhinebeni – the halfway point of the 42.2km which is situated near the resting place of the late well-known long-distance runner Zithulele Sinqe.
The race will also run through the Nelson Mandela Drive and pass by the place of Regent Jongintaba Mtirara who raised Mandela following the passing of his father in 1930.
“In 2015, the standard has improved and interest in the Heroes Marathon is growing with several international runners having registered, especially from up north on the African continent,” he said.
Athletics Transkei president Lungisile Molwana said they embraced the changes for they contributed in the discussions.
“We expect a lot of positives since the change of route and date will bring more participating athletes unlike the old date which was bad because many people were deep into the festive mood and less interested in other things like roadrunning,” said Molwana.
Organisers expect Heroes to be bigger and better this year
This is according to department of sport, recreation, arts and culture senior manager Bafundi Makubalo, who is responsible for the marathon funded by the department.
Unlike the 15 previous editions that all took place on December 16, the roadrunning event will for the time take place this coming Saturday.
The date coincides with the commemoration of the anniversary of world icon Nelson Mandela.
This is not the only change to be effected to the Heroes.
The route has also been changed with the new route for the 42.2km set to start at the Mthatha Airport and finish at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu.
Long-distance runners, local and international such as Ludwick Mamabolo and Zimbabwean Marko Mambo are expected to take part in the 42.2km-long ultra.
The number is supposed to grow with registration open until Friday 9pm.
Big prize-monies for winners will be up for grabs with the first male and first female to reach the ultra finish-line guaranteed to go home R90000 richer respectively.
Second place for both male and female categories will pocket R50000 while third place finishers will take home R20000 each.
In the 10km race, in which thousands are expected to compete, R10000 prize-money is reserved for the winners.
Second finishers will each be rewarded with R6000 for their efforts while those who come third will win R4000. There will be additional prizes in other categories, including some in the 5km fun run.
Makubalo said DSRAC, working with the National Heritage Council (NHC) who will handle mostly the commemoration part of the event were optimistic that the changes effected on the marathon will bring about success.
The new route was inspired among other things the reservation of heritage – that of Mandela and several other prominent individuals.
Among the heritage sites the race will pass through will be emaQhinebeni – the halfway point of the 42.2km which is situated near the resting place of the late well-known long-distance runner Zithulele Sinqe.
The race will also run through the Nelson Mandela Drive and pass by the place of Regent Jongintaba Mtirara who raised Mandela following the passing of his father in 1930.
“In 2015, the standard has improved and interest in the Heroes Marathon is growing with several international runners having registered, especially from up north on the African continent,” he said.
Athletics Transkei president Lungisile Molwana said they embraced the changes for they contributed in the discussions.
“We expect a lot of positives since the change of route and date will bring more participating athletes unlike the old date which was bad because many people were deep into the festive mood and less interested in other things like roadrunning,” said Molwana.
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