Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 68, March 2015

ROUND We Go! Advertorial Ma Old Mutual Om Die Dam 50km Ultra, Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, North West North, 21 March Each year, thousands of runners head to the Om Die Dam Ultra for breathtaking views of the Hartbeespoort Dam in one of SA’s benchmark races. Now in its 25th year, the country’s biggest inland ultra-marathon offers something for everyone – 50km for the guys after the longer stuff before Two Oceans or Comrades, plus a half marathon, 10km and 5km fun run, so the whole family can be part of it. Just an hour’s drive from Johannesburg and 40 minutes from Pretoria, a trip to Hartbeespoort is always a great family day out. T Images: Courtesy organisers he ultra course starts out on the R104, through the tunnel, crossing the dam wall, passing under the Arch de Triumph. Then it’s onto the R512 where you will climb your first big hill at Commando Neck. After crossing the westerly point of the dam it’s past Pecanwood Golf Estate, into Broederstroom towards Lanseria. Just after running through Pelindaba, the infamous Saartjies Neck will test the legs at the 36km marker. It’s a 2km monster, but keep going – the view over the dam is well worth the climb! There is also a little treat when runners pass Meerhof School, one of the race’s official charity beneficiaries, where pupils usually hand out traditional ‘melktert’ to exhausted runners. And don’t worry, the Om Die Dam organisers know how to look after tired runners, with 19 refreshment stations dotted along the 50km course, spaced every 3km in the first half and every 2km in the second. These stations will offer water, Coke, potatoes, bananas, chocolates, jelly sweets and more. The half marathon and shorter distances boast easier, flat courses through the suburbs of Hartebeespoort. ENTER NOW AT WWW.OMDIEDAMULTRA.CO.ZA OR WWW.CHAMPIONCHIP.CO.ZA NOTE: Pre-entries ONLY for the 50km and 21km, closing at midnight on Sunday 1 March. The first 4000 50km and 2000 21km pre-entries will receive a race T-shirt. Entries for the 10km and 5km will also be taken on the morning of the event. IMPORTANT INFO NOTE NEW VENUE: Village Mall Shopping Centre, c/o Tielman Street and R511 Hartbeespoort. GPS: S 25°43.830’ – E 27°53.155’ START TIMES: 50km – 6am (Cut-off: 7 hours) • 21.1km – 6:20am • 10km – 6:20am • 5km – 6:40am DON’T FORGET YOUR CHAMPIONCHIP The 50km and 21km events are timed by ChampionChip, and you are required to own a ChampionChip in order to be accurately recorded in the Race Results. It is important that you are in possession of your ChampionChip during the race, and that it’s correctly registered in your name. No chip, no result, no prize. For more information, go to www.championchip.co.za. 29

Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 68, March 2015 | Page 29