A feast of high calibre running action will be returning to the city as the popular Legends Marathon makes its much anticipated return later this year.
Entries for the race officially opened yesterday, with four enticing distances on offer for runners, with the main 68km ultra marathon headlining the event, followed by the popular 21.1km run, a new 10km race and then the 5km fun run.
“I am absolutely elated that we are bringing back the Legends Marathon to the people of East London,” said event founder and organiser Luthando Bara.
“This year is also very exciting as it celebrates 30 years since the epic 1987 half marathon in East London where Matthews Temane broke the world record and we will be celebrating that as well this year.”
A lack of funding saw the Legends event cancelled last year, which led to an outcry from many quarters of the running fraternity as it was fast becoming one of the biggest athletics events in the province.
Runners will thus be very happy to see the race back on the calendar.
“Last year was a worrying time for us and we had so many clubs and athletes calling for the return of the Legends, so I am so happy that we have worked with our partners and got the race back up and running,” said Bara.
“We want the Eastern Cape to be the home of the marathon, not only in South Africa but across the world, so we are ready to make this race one of the best ever.”
Some of the biggest names in long distance running should be coming to take part in this year’s event, with a number of international runners also expected to make the trip.
“Despite us not holding the race last year we have retained our international accreditation for the race, so that is also a big plus and we should see a number of international runners taking part,” said Bara.
“We have also partnered with Born2Run to ensure that we attract the top national runners to come and take part in the race.”
This year will see a new ultra route, which will start at the Bhisho Stadium, work its way down to enter the N2 at the entrance to Breidbach, all the way along the N2 towards East London to the Sasol Garage on the North East Expressway, continuing along the Expressway and finishing at the Orient Beach.
The 21.1km is xpected to also be a special race, with it being the anniversary of the famous 60:11 run.
“Athletes are very excited for the new route. We have already had some runners and clubs who have taken a test run on the new route and we have had overwhelmingly positive feedback on it,” said Bara.
“We will have the best ultra marathon runners, and we hope to have some of the quickest 21km runners as we have a quick course and I believe someone can challenge that 1987 record.”
The organisers will be hard at work getting ready for this year’s race, with them heading up to the Comrades this weekend.
“We are going to Comrades this weekend to learn more about hosting these type of races and to engage with athletes from all over that are taking part in it,” said Bara.
This year’s Legends Marathon is expected to be a block buster race.
“Across the four distances our target is 5000 runners, and any number that is close to that we will be happy with.
“Entries opened today and interested runners can check out our site online at www.legendsmarathon.co.za for entries, as well as follow our Facebook page for regular updates.
“You can also collect entry forms from X Africa Business Lounge in Quigney.”
The Legends Marathon will be held on September 24.
Legends targets records this year: new ultra route excites athletes
Entries for the race officially opened yesterday, with four enticing distances on offer for runners, with the main 68km ultra marathon headlining the event, followed by the popular 21.1km run, a new 10km race and then the 5km fun run.
“I am absolutely elated that we are bringing back the Legends Marathon to the people of East London,” said event founder and organiser Luthando Bara.
“This year is also very exciting as it celebrates 30 years since the epic 1987 half marathon in East London where Matthews Temane broke the world record and we will be celebrating that as well this year.”
A lack of funding saw the Legends event cancelled last year, which led to an outcry from many quarters of the running fraternity as it was fast becoming one of the biggest athletics events in the province.
Runners will thus be very happy to see the race back on the calendar.
“Last year was a worrying time for us and we had so many clubs and athletes calling for the return of the Legends, so I am so happy that we have worked with our partners and got the race back up and running,” said Bara.
“We want the Eastern Cape to be the home of the marathon, not only in South Africa but across the world, so we are ready to make this race one of the best ever.”
Some of the biggest names in long distance running should be coming to take part in this year’s event, with a number of international runners also expected to make the trip.
“Despite us not holding the race last year we have retained our international accreditation for the race, so that is also a big plus and we should see a number of international runners taking part,” said Bara.
“We have also partnered with Born2Run to ensure that we attract the top national runners to come and take part in the race.”
This year will see a new ultra route, which will start at the Bhisho Stadium, work its way down to enter the N2 at the entrance to Breidbach, all the way along the N2 towards East London to the Sasol Garage on the North East Expressway, continuing along the Expressway and finishing at the Orient Beach.
The 21.1km is xpected to also be a special race, with it being the anniversary of the famous 60:11 run.
“Athletes are very excited for the new route. We have already had some runners and clubs who have taken a test run on the new route and we have had overwhelmingly positive feedback on it,” said Bara.
“We will have the best ultra marathon runners, and we hope to have some of the quickest 21km runners as we have a quick course and I believe someone can challenge that 1987 record.”
The organisers will be hard at work getting ready for this year’s race, with them heading up to the Comrades this weekend.
“We are going to Comrades this weekend to learn more about hosting these type of races and to engage with athletes from all over that are taking part in it,” said Bara.
This year’s Legends Marathon is expected to be a block buster race.
“Across the four distances our target is 5000 runners, and any number that is close to that we will be happy with.
“Entries opened today and interested runners can check out our site online at www.legendsmarathon.co.za for entries, as well as follow our Facebook page for regular updates.
“You can also collect entry forms from X Africa Business Lounge in Quigney.”
The Legends Marathon will be held on September 24.
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