IN support of well-known top local runner, Chris Mabengeza, who was severely injured on Uitenhage Road while training for his 16th Comrades Marathon, this year’s Nelson Mandela Bay Athletics SA Half Championship aims to promote safe and clean running.
Mabengeza, the ambassador for this year’s Run Safe campaign, will on Saturday be attempting to complete the 5km fun run on his crutches.
To highlight the event’s focus on safe and clean running, lucky draw prizes will focus on high visibility running clothing and accessories. Water Points will be well supported with bins for runners to use instead of littering the streets.
“The NMB ASA 21.1km Championships allows locals the opportunity to race against the best in the country and therefore develops running in the region,” said Michael Mbambani, coach of Ikhamva Club and EPA Sponsorship liaison.
The event will host a 5km fun run in addition to the popular half marathon, and all clubs and school athletics teams are encouraged to enter.
The Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa 21.1km Championships have incentivised school involvement again this year with a generous prize of stationery to the value of R22 500 for the top three schools with the most bulk entries for the 5km run. The top three schools will receive R10 000, R7 500, R5 000 respectively.
The cherry on the top for all participants in both the half marathon and 5km fun run is that one of them will drive away in brand new Datsun Go sponsored by the race’s prize partner, Eastern Cape Motor Group, suppliers of Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Nissan, Datsun, Volvo and Mazda through seven dealerships and seven vehicle franchises in the city.
All finishers of both 21.1km and 5km will receive medals and the first 800 entries in the 21.1km and the first 500 entries in 5km will receive t-shirts.
The half marathon starts Saturday at 07:00 and the 5km fun run at 09:00.
Registration and late entries will take place at the Summerstrand Surf Lifesaving Club tomorrow from 14:00 to 19:00 and from 05:30 on Saturday.
- For more information, contact Mike Mbambani on 079 149 6796 or Alan Taylor on 083 658 0050.
