The Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon is set for another thrilling finish, with over a thousand runners expected to line-up to celebrate the 10th edition at Pollok Beach, Summerstrand, on the 1st of June.
Race director, Mike Mbambani confirmed that his local organising team is ready to deliver the 10th edition of this successful race.
“We are very excited to see that a dream which started small with Alan Taylor, has grown over the years since its launch in 2014, to establish itself amongst the best road races in ASA fixtures.
“This is the biggest half marathon in the country and it’s the richest in the country in terms of prize money, the total prize pot is R559,000, with the added bonus of ASA Championship prize money.
“With the steadfast support from our Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, let’s allow the dream to continue growing,” added Mbambani.
Modern Athlete 2023 Road Runner of the Year, Thabang Mosiako, who recently won the Two Oceans Half Marathon, will be defending his spectacular 2023 title.
Mosiako won the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon in a personal best time of 01:00:29, a course record and an EP record time. The race which also incorporates the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Half Marathon Championship saw Tebello Ramakongoana break the Lesotho National record by taking second place in the open event in 1:00:35. SA 10km record holder of Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Precious Mashele sealed third place overall and secured a silver medal in the national championship in 1:00:43, while fellow former champion Stephen Mokoka finished in fourth place overall and third for Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) in 01:00:54 where the top ten men dipped under 62 minutes.
In the women’s contest last year, in-form athlete, Glenrose Xaba, (AGN) ran a phenomenal race, pushing the pace throughout the race to win her fourth straight national half-marathon crown in a personal best of 1:08:37. She took second place overall, just two seconds behind Kenyan athlete Betty Chepkemoi, who won the open race in 1:08:34.
So the race is set for another spectacular finish with top local, national and international athletes competing on South African soil.
Impressed by the fast times and quality of the race Member of the Mayoral Committee for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Bassie Kamana, said the hosting of the marathon is part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s goal to obtain a greater share of the sports tourism market.
“We would like to be considered as a city of action and the home of champions when it comes to major sporting events.”
Athletics South Africa (ASA) President, James Moloi, is also looking forward to this two-in-one race.
“A number of athletes and coaches will be seeking glory of the ASA Half-Marathon Championships and the 10th Nelson Mandela Bay Half-Marathon, which has earned its stripes over its journey.
“We can therefore expect another breath-taking encounter, especially for spectators,” said Moloi.
The race is justifiably credited as the fastest half marathon in the country. The route is flat and fast and runs on the coastal road. Runners will start from 07h00 and complete a circular route. Starting from Marine Drive, at Pollock Beach, they will head north to Driftsands junction, then south on Marine drive through NMU, down Admiralty road, with the second lap turning at Driftsands junction to return to finish at Pollock Beach. A full rolling closure from 05h00 will ensure a safe and minimum inconvenience to the public.
Athletes can enter online at www.webtickets.co.za or at Brian Bands Sports and Sportsman Warehouse. The closing date for all online and manual entries is at 17h00, on Monday, 27 May.
The first 600 athletes to enter online will receive a special Nike T-shirt, and all finishers will receive a medal.
All athletes that enter before Friday, 17 May, will be seeded according to their qualifying time, with a maximum of 200 per seeding block. All late entrants, irrespective of ability, will be allocated to the last seeding block.
The collection of race numbers, as well as late entries, will be available at registration at the Oyster Catcher venue, First Floor, Southern Sun The Marine Hotel, Summerstrand, on Friday, 31 May, from 10h00 to 20h00. No late entries will be allowed on the morning of the event, and collection of race numbers will only be allowed at the Hotel from 05h00 and 06h30.
Enquiries: Mike Mbambani 079 149 6796 or email epa@pe.co.za.
