Special 10th edition initiatives for the NELSON MANDELA BAY HALF MARATHON

Excitement is mounting as the countdown begins for the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon which will be held on Saturday, 1 June from Pollock Beach, Summerstrand.

Special 10th edition initiatives include bumper prize money, a new Trophy to be awarded to the Club with the Best Celebration Spirit and the first 600 athletes to enter online will receive a special Nike T-shirt.

The first prize money has increased to R100 000 and the second prize money to R50 000, included in a generous prize pot of R559 000, a superb incentive for athletes to aspire to with the bonus of the ASA Championship prize money.

Organisers have invited Clubs to erect their gazebos and enjoy the food vendor and refreshment service which will be organised in the race village.

This event is an EPA Participation League event so competitive clubs will be able to gain points for their participation.

Race organisers are upbeat and preparations are well on track for an exciting event.

“With the support of our title sponsors, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, we are expecting over 1000 local, national and international elite athletes to gather in Gqeberha. “This race is not limited to elite or provincial athletes, we encourage mass participation to compete with a number of top foreign runners and the best athletes in South Africa”, said race director, Mike Mbambani.

Sport, recreation, arts and culture political head, Bassie Kamana, applauded the race organisers and EPA for their continued success.

“The metro is proud to be associated with EPA, and the Legacy Project offers a strong return on investment for the city.

“EPA is marketing the city well, events like the NMB Half Marathon, which incorporates the ASA Half Marathon Championships, are boosting sports tourism to earn our city the title of Sports Capital of South Africa,” added Kamana.

Athletes will be able to train for their best personal time on this flat route credited as the fastest half marathon in the country.

Runners will start from 07h00 and complete a circular coastal 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.