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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 2017 . Get your entries in , put them in your diaries , and we ’ ll see you there ! More info at www . modernathlete . co . za / events .
Pick n Pay Marathon , Half Marathon , 8km & 4km When : Sunday 12 February Where : Saheti School , Civin Drive , Senderwood , Johannesburg
PICK THE BIG DADDY
Attracting a field of well over 6000 athletes , this absolute gem on the Central Gauteng calendar is a regular go-to for runners looking to get a challenging long run in before the Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon , or a solid qualifying time for Comrades . The marathon is a double-lapper that takes athletes around Bedfordview and Edenvale , starting with a tough first 10km that features several inclines , but it ’ s all downhill past Gillooly ’ s Farm in the last stretch , which is what everyone looks forward to . Just don ’ t get carried away , because the last kilometre has a nasty little uphill …
Now in it ’ s 34 th year , this race gives athletes a little bit of everything : A tough 42km or 21km ( one lap of the 42km ), as well as the popular 8km and 4km fun runs around Senderwood . There is even a mini-marathon for the smallies . For entries and information , visit www . pnpmarathon . co . za or www . championchip . co . za .
Cape Gate Vaal Marathon , Half Marathon , 10km & 5km When : Sunday 5 March Where : Dick Fourie Stadium , Klipriver Drive , Three Rivers , Vereeniging
BRING YOUR PARTNER !
Old Mutual Om die Dam Marathon Half Marathon , 10km & 5km When : Saturday 18 March Where : Schoemansville Oewer Club , Waterfront Street , Hartbeespoort
2017 marks the 43 rd running of this ever-growing event , which is a annual highlight on the Gauteng running calendar and a popular Comrades qualifier . The event will once again start and finish at the Dick Fourie Stadium , and 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 !
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 this race has a special promotion , whereby the organisers say that if you bring your + 1 , your significant other , 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 .
The Old Mutual Om die Dam 50km is the largest inland ultra-marathon in South Africa , and the event also offers 21km 10km and 5km options , which means that runners of every age and ability can be part of the action . Unsurprisingly , this spectacular event thus attracts over 10 000 participants each year , thanks mainly to the scenic routes around or alongside the Hartbeespoort Dam .
SA ’ S LARGEST INLAND ULTRA
The ultra and half marathon events will once again be timed with the ChampionChip system , so runners must make sure they have their chips on their shoes at the start . The bonus is that all ultra finishers ’ times will automatically be sent to the Comrades Marathon for upload to their database , so if this your Comrades qualifier , your time will be automatically submitted . Gold medals will be awarded to category winners in the ultra , with silver medals to men under 3:45 and women under 4:10 , and bronze to all other finishers .
READY TO CROSS THE LINE ?
Birchwood Cross the Line Half Marathon , 10km & 5km When : Sunday 26 March Where : Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre , Boksburg , Johannesburg
Clear your diary in preparation for this wonderful race , which starts and finishes on the 52 sprawling hectares of gardens at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg . Now in its seventh year , this event aims to promote health and exercise combined with fun , for a healthy family lifestyle , and the 21km and 10km races can cater for a combined total of 2500 entries , with a further 500 runners / walkers in the 5km race , so don ’ t wait too long to enter .
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Many runners now make this event an annual family tradition , as the race includes a children ’ s play area , food and refreshments , a post-race massage zone and live music on the manicured lawns of the hotel . Both the start and finish of the race will be times using the ChampionChip system , ensuring accurate results and digital monitoring .
See you there !
ISSUE 91 FEBRUARY 2017 / www . modernathlete . co . za
Images : Courtesy race organisers