Nelson Mandela will be 95 on 18 July 2013, if he survives the next week. The former President of South Africa (1994-1999) was taken to the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria on 8 June with a serious recurring lung infection, and is now spending his 35th day there. However things play out in the coming days and weeks, his legacy as an icon of some of the best human qualities – integrity, tolerance and fortitude – will live on.

One part of that legacy, the Mandela Day Marathon, will be held for the second time on 25 August, and: "it is proving a major draw for runners who want to be part of history" reports Ray De Vries. Both the marathon 10km events are capped at 2500 runners, and these limits will be reached very soon.

Star entrant will be Willie Mtolo, a South African runner who burst through to international stardom at the same time as the apartheid regime in South Africa was in its death throes. He won the 1992 New York City Marathon at the dawn of the post-Apartheid era, and has supported the Mandela Day Marathon from its inception.

The Marathon starts in Imbali, an outlying district of Pietermaritzburg, right outside the Manayi Hall (formerly known as Arya Samaj Hall) where Nelson Mandela delivered his last public speech on 25 March 1961, at the All-in-Africa conference before his 27-year imprisonment by the apartheid regime. It ends at the famous "capture site" near Howick where Mandela was stopped on the roadside and taken into custody on 5 August 1962.

"As soon as I heard about this marathon I knew I had to be part of it." said Mtolo, who lives in Pietermaritzburg. "Madiba [Mandela's clan name for him] is my hero and this will be a very emotional marathon for me to run. One of my first jobs was as a barman in a local hotel in Pietermaritzburg.

I now have a few businesses, in fact my butchery is on the route itself". Mtolo has become an enthusiastic ambassador of the event.

 

Source: AIMSworldrunning.org

 

www.mandelamarathon.co.za

 

MANDELA DAY MARATHON 

 

HISTORIC BACKGROUND INPUT BY uMGUNGUNDLOVU DISTRICT MAYOR CLLR, YUSUF BHAMJEE

Esteemed Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First and foremost, (A COMMENT ABOUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S CONDITION AT THE TIME)

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for honouring us with your presence.

Today marks another milestone as we continue with the preparations for the second chapter of the Mandela Day Marathon between Manaye Hall [formerly Arya Samaj Hall] and Nelson Mandela Capture site within the jurisdiction of uMgungundlovu District Municipality on 25 August 2013.

This marathon reflects, in a symbolic way, the gruelling marathon that Baba Mandela had to "run" to lay the foundation for the new democratic ethos that we in South Africa are enjoying. This race is a way for us to rekindle our special relationship with the great icon who is the Father of the Nation.

Historically Mandela is affectionately referred to as Madiba. He has a long-standing relationship with the district. Having worked and interacted with the likes of Moses Mabhida, AS Chetty, Dr. MM Motala, Harry Gwala, Anton Xaba, Trueman Magubane amongst many other leaders from the region.

Furthermore on the 25^th of March 1961, Madiba made his last speech as a free man at the Manayi Hall (formerly known as Arya Samaj Hall) at the All-in-Africa Conference, which at one level shaped the nature of the political struggle for freedom. A year later he was arrested outside Howick on the 5^th of August. Then after the infamous treason trial in 1964, he was incarcerated to life imprisonment to Robben Island. In 1997 as a free man and as the President of the Republic of South Africa, Madiba received the Freedom of the City of Pietermaritzburg

As former Secretary General of the United Nations and fellow African leader Kofi Annan said of Madiba: "He remains the single most admired leader in the whole world."

Mandela's relentless pursuit for a humane, just, equitable, non-racist and non-sexist country symbolises the vision of the ANC which characterises our democratic state. Having said that, it is important to note that the liberation of this country, which Madiba personifies, is for all South Africans, irrespective of their political, social and cultural origins, as enshrined in the 1955 Freedom Charter.

We are also proud of the fact that the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) has formerly recognised the Mandela Day Marathon as an annual event on its calendar of Marathons. Henceforth the Mandela Day Marathon will be held on the last day of August in each year. Thus the 2014 Mandela Day Marathon will be held on the 31^st (2014).

Ladies and gentlemen, when we conceptualised this event in 2012, we never, in our wildest dream, imagined that this race will grow so much within such a short time. This bears testimony to the international icon after whom the race is named.

Just three months back, we visited Rotterdam and London Marathons with a view to learn from best practice internationally. We were warmly received and brought important lessons home which we hope to implement in 2013 and beyond.

For starters, this race is now a 6 in 1 event. It now incorporates the following events:

1. 4, 6664 km event from Midmar Dam on Saturday, 24 August 2013 at 08h00, focussing on school kids

2. 10KM International cyclists event from Howick Stadium on Saturday , 24 August 2013 at 08h00

3. 4,6664 km event from Midmar Dam on Sunday , 25 August 2013 for elite runners (invitation only) at 07h00,

4.       10 km event from Howick Stadium on Sunday, 25 August 2013 at 07h00,

5.       The flagship 42 km event from Manaye Hall to Capture Site on Sunday, 25 August 2013 at 07h00 and

6.       Demo races for disabled for both 42km and 10 km on Sunday, 25 August 2013 at 06h45.

As you can see, the Marathon has grown by leaps and bounds and has outgrown the capacity of the Municipality to manage it. As a result, we have sought assistance from the Provincial Government to come to our rescue with the necessary ‘strategic partnership' to take this race to the next level. It is our strategic mission to grow this Marathon into a Grand Slam status within the next 10 year horizon.

 

MANDELA DAY MARATHON

 

 

MANDELA DAY MARATHON & 10KM

 

ENTRY LIMITS

42.2km 2500

10km 2500

This is a pre-entry event ONLY. NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED ON RACE DAY

EVENT RULES

The events are under the rules of IAAF, ASA and KZNA.

DATE & TIMES OF EVENTS

Sunday 25 August 2013 

Start Times

42.2km 10KM

07h00

 

START VENUES, ROUTES & FINISH VENUE

42.2km starting point  Imbali, Manayi Hall (formerly known as Arya Samaj Hall)

10km starting point Howick Stadium

 

ROUTE Both Routes are point to point.

 

FINISH Mandela Capture Site outside Howick in Tweedie

 

FEES

RACE                ENTRY FEE                  TEMP LICENCE                        CHIP

42.2km              R125 Licensed Runners Only R80

10km                   R75                           R15                                     ___

Unlicensed runners will require a Temp Licence.

 

42.2km runners MUST have a CHIP,  if the runner doesn’t have one they will need to purchase one for R80 also when entering.

These are available when entering.

 

AGE RESTRICTIONS

42.2km – competitors are required to be 20 years or older on 25 August 2013

10km – competitors are required to be 15 years or older on 25 August 2013

 

CUT OFF TIMES

For safety reasons the following cut-off times will apply to the 42.2km. Competitors who do not reach these points within the cut-off times will be required to board the vehicles provided and will be transported directly to the finish venue.

7 Hours

The organisers reserve the right to implement additional cut-off points for safety reasons.

 

RACE ENTRY POINTS

Entries open on Wednesday, 15 May and close on Thursday, 13 June at 00:00/Midnight or:

1. When 2 500 entries have been received in the 42.2km

2. When 2 500entries have been received in the 10km

 

Online entries can be done at www.mandelamarathon.co.za or Collect forms at 242 Langalibalele Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201.  

NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED ON RACE DAY

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ENTRY

If a correct cellphone number is supplied you will receive a confirmation of your entry within 72 hours of entering. Alternatively you can check on www.mandelamarathon.co.za for confirmation of entry.

 

FOREIGN ATHLETES

Foreign athletes must comply with IAAF Rule 4.2 and 142

 

RACE KIT

Participants must wear club colours that have been officially registered and approved by their provincial body and in accordance with IAAF and ASA rules. Runners may alternatively wear plain unbranded kit.

 

RACE NUMBERS

Your Mandela Day Marathon Race Number (supplied) MUST be worn on the front of your vest/crop top. 2013 Provincial licence number or Temp licence number must be worn on the back of your vest / crop top.

 

RACE NUMBER COLLECTION

Race numbers and goodies bags to be collected at the Royal Show Grownds.

HALL:__________ DATE:____________________TIME:

1                           22 August 2013 (Thursday)            9h00 to 17h00

1                           23 August 2013 (Friday)                9h00 to 17h00

1                            24 August 2013 (Saturday)           9h00 to 16h00

 

REFRESHMENT STATIONS

Refreshment stations will be provided at intervals of not more than 3km throughout the race and NO personal seconding will be allowed. For safety reasons any runner receiving assistance from a support car or having a support car follow the event on the race route may be liable to disqualification. Note: this is a point to point race where the route is unsuitable for any support cars.  There are alternative routes from the start to the finish via Pietermaritzburg CBD and the N3. All family and supporters are encouraged to make their way directly to the finish. (see www.mandelamarathon.co.za)

 

TOG BAG FACILITIES

Tog bag vehicles will be provided at the start venues and transported to the finish – the organisers do not take responsibility for the contents of tog bags.

 

PRIZE GIVING

10km prize giving will commence at 10:00

42.2km prize giving will commence at 12:30

 

MEDALS

Medals will be awarded to all finishers in both the 42.2km and 10km events.

 

OFFICIALS

Participants MUST obey Race Officials, Marshals and Traffic Officials.