THE organisers of the second edition of the Legends Marathon are excited at the response to last year’s event, and say this year it will be far bigger and better.
The race, the biggest in the province, is sponsored with prize-money to the tune of R1-million.
Thousands of runners and spectators from across the country and abroad are expected to take part on October 24.
It attracted about 5000 spectators last year and that number is expected to more than double this year.
The event, comprising three categories – a 68km ultra-marathon, 21km half-marathon and a 5km fun run – was launched yesterday at the East London Airport.
Among the big names expected to take part is the province’s own cricket legend – former Proteas bowler Makhaya Ntini.
Eastern Cape HoD for sport, recreation, arts and culture Mzolisi Matutu believes the “mass participation” event will make a major contribution to the province’s economy.
“From the perspective of sports tourism, this marathon will lift the economy of the Eastern Cape.
“Hospitality in particular will boom because many people from outside the province will attend,” said Matutu.
Legends chairman Luthando Bara expects the event to contribute at least R50-million to the provincial fiscus.
According to Matutu though, as much as attracting big money and tourists, his aim with the marathon was to provide an opportunity for healthy exercise and encourage people to be more active.
“This marathon ... achieve our vision of encouraging the citizens of the province to participate in many sporting codes,” he said.
Bara, who is keen to speed up development for runners in the province, added that they would work towards this with clubs and local federations.
Last year the one fly in the ointment was that the winner was a foreign national, he lamented.
“This give us cause for concern.
“As much as we encourage participation from abroad, it does not bode well for the province to allow foreign nationals to steal the spotlight and walk away with the first prize.”
But besides winning, the race is meant to introduce young people to the joys of a healthy lifestyle.
The main race, the ultra-marathon, will start at the Bhisho Stadium and end at the Jan Smuts Stadium in East London.
The male and female winners will each walk away with R120000 – with an additional R5000 if the winner is an Eastern Cape citizen.
Second prize is R80000, third R60000, fourth R20000 and fifth, R15000.
The half-marathon’s starting point is Turnbull Park, and it finishes at the same venue as the ultra.
The winner pockets R15000, runner-up R12000, third R10000, fourth R6000 and fifth R5000.
On your mark for Legends road warriors
The race, the biggest in the province, is sponsored with prize-money to the tune of R1-million.
Thousands of runners and spectators from across the country and abroad are expected to take part on October 24.
It attracted about 5000 spectators last year and that number is expected to more than double this year.
The event, comprising three categories – a 68km ultra-marathon, 21km half-marathon and a 5km fun run – was launched yesterday at the East London Airport.
Among the big names expected to take part is the province’s own cricket legend – former Proteas bowler Makhaya Ntini.
Eastern Cape HoD for sport, recreation, arts and culture Mzolisi Matutu believes the “mass participation” event will make a major contribution to the province’s economy.
“From the perspective of sports tourism, this marathon will lift the economy of the Eastern Cape.
“Hospitality in particular will boom because many people from outside the province will attend,” said Matutu.
Legends chairman Luthando Bara expects the event to contribute at least R50-million to the provincial fiscus.
According to Matutu though, as much as attracting big money and tourists, his aim with the marathon was to provide an opportunity for healthy exercise and encourage people to be more active.
“This marathon ... achieve our vision of encouraging the citizens of the province to participate in many sporting codes,” he said.
Bara, who is keen to speed up development for runners in the province, added that they would work towards this with clubs and local federations.
Last year the one fly in the ointment was that the winner was a foreign national, he lamented.
“This give us cause for concern.
“As much as we encourage participation from abroad, it does not bode well for the province to allow foreign nationals to steal the spotlight and walk away with the first prize.”
But besides winning, the race is meant to introduce young people to the joys of a healthy lifestyle.
The main race, the ultra-marathon, will start at the Bhisho Stadium and end at the Jan Smuts Stadium in East London.
The male and female winners will each walk away with R120000 – with an additional R5000 if the winner is an Eastern Cape citizen.
Second prize is R80000, third R60000, fourth R20000 and fifth, R15000.
The half-marathon’s starting point is Turnbull Park, and it finishes at the same venue as the ultra.
The winner pockets R15000, runner-up R12000, third R10000, fourth R6000 and fifth R5000.
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