Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 116, March 2019 | Page 31

RACE ADVERTORIAL
A Year of Firsts at
Om Die Dam 2019
Om die Dam 2019 is going to be different for all the right
reasons, thanks to the race organisers turning the heavy criticism after last
year’s race into something positive. That means this year’s event is going to be the best yet!
T
he 29 th edition of SA’s biggest inland ultra-marathon has put the focus on addressing the
biggest problems that the race experienced in recent years, namely traffic congestion on race
day. The resultant decision to only host the 50km ultra and the half marathon on race day,
taking the 10km and 5km distances off the programme, was not an easy one, but it definitely was the
right decision for the event.
This has seen the total entries cut from 10,000 to 6000, which means less runners will be making their
way to Hartbeespoort Dam on race day, thus alleviating the traffic and parking issues. Other positive
changes include the organisers introducing an effective and cohesive marshalling system for traffic
and parking, as well as providing park-and-go transport from the city centres for runners who will be
making their way to the Hartbeespoort Holiday Resort on race day.
Best of all, the road works that caused so many issues for runners travelling to last year’s race have
been completed, and thus the plan for traffic on race day will be much smoother, with a double lane
route to the parking areas. So, if you are running this year’s race,
please make sure to familiarise yourself with the recommended
Go to Map
directions to the venue, using the link below!
28… 29… 30!
The Fantastic Eight is an exclusive club of runners who have
completed all 28 editions of the Om die Dam thus far. That
means all eyes will be on these athletes to see who can make
29 this year and keep running towards a round 30 next year!
Zirk Lourens has committed to running 30 consecutive Om
die Dams before he stops, and at 71, Gerald Kroukamp is
also still going strong – and he agrees that 30 is the magic
number! Richard
Hammill enjoys the
open spaces that only the Magaliesburg
can offer, and says Om die Dam brings
him back to his bushveld roots, so it is
always on his racing calendar!
Derrick Oliver uses Om die Dam as his benchmark to
see where he is in his Comrades training, while Frank Da
Ascencao says he plans to keep going as long as he can,
well past 30 finishes if fate
allows him. He says he is
no longer able to complete
Comrades, so Om die Dam
is the race that continues
to push his limits and keeps him motivated to keep
running! The other members of the club are Chris du
Plooy, Callie la Grange and Noel Smeda.
Keep an eye out for our post-race review for an update on the Fantastic
Eight’s journey towards 30 Om die Dam medals
The 29 th edition of the Om die Dam Ultra will take place on Saturday 16 March 2019 at the Hartbeespoort Holiday Club. Entries for the Ultra and Half Marathon
are sold out, but manual substitutions will be available at race registration on Friday 15 March (on condition of taking over another runner’s entry).
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