ADVERTORIAL
PRESENTING CLUB The event is presented by Helderberg Harriers , known for their distinctive red and white vertical striped club colours . The club was founded in 1977 when Robbie Dallas-Orr approached Herman Malan during the Running Boom years and basically said “ I hear you ’ re a runner , so am I , so let ’ s start a club .” The club ’ s motto is “ Anyone who wants to run is welcome .” ( Both Robbie and Herman are honorary life members of the club and remain active in club events .) With pic8 of Helderbergers
GENEROUS SPONSORS The Winelands Marathon has been made possible through the sponsorship of a number of brands over the last four decades . Kellerprinz Wines was the title sponsor of the event for the first 12 years , and after that came Magnesit , Canon , Bernini , Vodacom , Mr Price , Vital and Blue Boost . The current title sponsor is Sportsmans Warehouse , which has been on board for the last three years , with Brooks and SA Home Loans as additional sponsors .
UNIQUE AWARDS The race offers traditional permanent numbers for completing the marathon or half marathon 10 times , or winning the race or an age category three times , and to date 572 runners have earned a permanent number in the marathon . There are also double laurel numbers for 20 races completed , as well as triple laurel numbers for 30 and quadruple laurel numbers for 40 . However , it is the in-between awards that make this race unique . Runners who complete the marathon 15 times qualify for a ‘ Wingerdstompie trophy ,’ made from a thick piece of grapevine wood . Runners who complete their 25th marathon are presented with a ‘ Wynvaaitjie trophy ,’ a miniature vine vat . Those few runners to achieve 40 finishes also receive a unique trophy .
GOING PLASTIC-FREE In keeping with the terrific scenery of this route , running through the picturesque Stellenbosch winelands , the event has embraced the # RunClean campaign and reduced its plastic footprint , by offering water and Coke at the refreshment stations in cups instead of plastic sachets , and as much of the race waste as possible is recycled after the event .
NEVER FORGOTTEN In the year 2000 , the event experienced a shocking loss when Helderberg Harriers Chairman Johan Augustyn and his 17-year-old son , Charl ( also a club member ) were both killed in the early hours of race morning , while putting out the kilometre boards on the route . A drunk driver tried to pass to the left of Johan ’ s vehicle parked on the left shoulder of the R44 highway , between Stellenbosch and Somerset-West , and both father and son were killed on impact . The race has been run in their memory since that fateful year .
WINELANDS VETERANS A number of runners have been part of the race for many years , and in the 44 editions thus far , three have completed the marathon 40 times or more . Ian Bocock leads the list with 42 medals – all of them earned consecutively , with Willie Dunn and Kaare James both on 40 medals . At 79 , James was also the oldest to reach 40 when he reached this milestone in 2022 . Issy Margolin finished on 39 medals before injuries put an end to his marathoning career . With pic11 of Veterans
ENTER TODAY !
Entries are open for the 45th edition of the iconic Sportsmans Warehouse Winelands Marathon , Half Marathon , 10km & 5km . Click here to enter and find out more info .
45 TH WINELANDS MARATHON
SATURDAY , 30 NOVEMBER 2024
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