Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 103, February 2018 | Page 57

ADVERTORIAL Great Races to Put in Your Diary Modern Athlete is partnered with a number of terrific events each year, including these great road races in early 2018. Get your entries in, put them in your diaries, and we’ll see you there! More info at www.modernathlete.co.za/events. HISTORIC TOUR OF PRETORIA B DELOITTE PRETORIA MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 10KM When: Sunday 25 February Where: Pretoria High School Old Boys Club, Hofmeyr Park, 378 Queens Crescent, Lynnwood, Pretoria, Gauteng North eing run for an amazing 45 th time in 2018, this attractive and historic two-lap route takes in some of Pretoria’s most beautiful landmarks, including the Union Buildings and Pretoria Boys’ High School, both of which were designed by Sir Herbert Baker and are now national monuments. The route presents its greatest challenge in the first half of the lap, as you steadily climb up Waterkloof Ridge on the way to Klapperkop Hill. The pull starts near the 2km mark and goes on relentlessly for about 4km. However, you will be well rewarded for that hard work with a breathtaking view of the Pretoria city centre. From there you start a 7km downhill plummet, traditionally accompanied by the stirring sounds of the Boys’ High Pipe Band. Don’t pound the legs too hard on the downhills, though, because once through the beautiful school grounds, at the 16km mark, it is time to think of the final section, which features some more climbing, but also an easy 1km run into the finish. For more information on this event, go to wwwdeloittechallenge.co.za CAPE GATE VAAL MARATHON, HALF MARATHON, 10KM & 5KM When: Sunday 4 March Where: Dick Fourie Stadium, Klipriver Drive, Three Rivers, Vereeniging, Vaal Triangle A nother long-standing event to look out for is the Vaal Marathon, which will be run for the 44 th time in 2018. This ever-growing race is an annual highlight on the Gauteng running calendar and a popular Comrades qualifier, and will once again start and finish at the Dick Fourie Stadium. The double-lapper route gently meanders through four suburbs of Vereeniging and includes a section along the banks of the Vaal River. As with any marathon, you will need to work all the way, but on this fast and flat course a new PB is very much there for the taking! BRING YOUR PLUS ONE! This is therefore an ideal event both for competitive and more social runners and walkers, with the 10km being especially beginner-friendly. Also note that the 10km has a special promotion, whereby the organisers say that if you bring your +1, your significant other, and finish together, you and your partner will get a special discounted entry price, matching race numbers, temporary licenses (if needed) and a special edition interlocking +1 medal. Visit http://shop.in2sports.co.za/Race-Merchandise/Vaal-Marathon-Official-Merchandise for all the race merchandise. RACE WITH A SEA VIEW DELOITTE CHALLENGE MARATHON, HALF MARATHON, 10KM & 5KM When: Sunday 18 March Where: Lifestyle Centre, Ballito (42km), Sibaya Casino, Durban North (21km), Virginia Soccer Club, Virginia Airport (10km) to Amphitheatre Durban Promenade, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (Note: 5km starts at finish venue) the Deloitte CHALLENGE KwaZulu-Natal T he Deloitte Challenge is one of the most scenic marathons in SA, running along the coastal M4 road between Ballito and Durban, with all three race distances entailing an early morning bus drive from the finish to their respective starts. Athletes are therefore advised to park at the finish venue and catch a bus to the start, as there is no transport back to the sta rt venues after the race. For the marathoners, the first half of the race is run along the beautiful Durban coastline with a few testing climbs to get those legs warmed up, but then the easy part of the race follows, with some nice downhill running through Umhlanga and into Durban. It’s a fast course that is ideal for a PB attempt and a fast qualifier for the Comrades Marathon, plus it makes a great reason to plan a long weekend at the coast, given that Wednesday 21 March is a Public Holiday. Food, refreshments and entertainment will be available at the finish. This is a pre-entry event only, closing two weeks prior, and the race will once again be timed using the ChampionChip system. Enter now at www.dolphincoaststriders.co.za/deloittechallenge. 57