Nelson Mandela Bay 1 City Marathon & 21km

Local athletes are gearing up to take part in the Nelson Mandela Bay 1 City Marathon and 21km at the Fairview racecourse in Greenbushes on Saturday, 2 December.

Last year the marathon event attracted over 1500 eager runners and this year a strong turnout is expected with the introduction of pacing buses for the marathon.

There will be dedicated pacemaker, up to 35km, for athletes wishing to run their personal best times.

Local athletes will have the opportunity to be led by the best in the country with national champions Thabang Mosiako, Melikaya Frans and Simon Sibeko leading the sub 2h30min bus. Athletes will be able to pick a bus that suits their race finish time goal, with pacing buses also arranged for sub 3hr, sub 4hr, sub 4h30min, sub 4h50min and sub 5hr, the qualifying finish time for Comrades Marathon.

Both the 42.2km marathon and the 21.1km, presented by Eastern Province Athletics in partnership with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, will start and finish at the Fairview Racecourse, in Draaifontein Road, Greenbushes, Port Elizabeth.

The scenic route follows a circular route via Tembani, Westlands and Seaview Roads with an out and back loop into Lakeside road and back via Altona road. The two distances split at 18km, thereafter the 21km route takes a left into Draaifontein Road towards the finish, and the marathon turns right to do an out and back loop into Cape Road.

The 1City Marathon organisers are inviting Clubs to bring their Gazebos to the venue to support their athletes at the event, with a festive atmosphere planned for the finish inside the Fairview racecourse fields.

Entry fee for the marathon is R240, however, EPA-registered participants 60 and over will pay R120. 21.1km fee is R160, EPA-registered participants 60 and over will pay R80. The temporary license is R40.

Enter online on www.webtickets.co.za before 22.00 on Tuesday, 28 November or entries can be submitted at Brian Bands Sports and Sportsmans Warehouse in Gqeberha or UD Sports in Kariega before Wednesday, 29 November.

Collection of race numbers and late entries will be available from EP Athletics offices, Westbourne Oval, Westbourne Road, Central from 12.00 to 19.00 on Friday, 1 December. Only race number collection will be allowed on race day at Fairview Racecourse from 04h30 until 05h30, but no late entries will be accepted.
Electronic timing will be done by Mobiielite and results will be available online and on the EPA website.