The Pick 'n Pay Marathon will be the first qualification race for the Two Oceans and Comrades marathons

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Besides the championship marathon, there will also be races for children

Joburg road running season kicks off February 11, 2004 By Tshepiso Mogotsi SUNDAY sees the running of the 20th Pick 'n Pay Marathon through the scenic eastern suburbs of Johannesburg and organisers are hoping to see records fall. The run, which is a provincial championship race under the auspices of Central Gauteng Athletics, will also be the first qualification race for this year's Two Oceans and Comrades marathons. Central Gauteng Athletics events and competitions manager Joe Morris said the athletics body had not hosted a national marathon championship during the past two years and so "our top athletes will really appreciate running for a provincial title and winning medals". Marathon organisers hope to see records fall A total of R33 000 has been allocated for various prizes and organisers have also set aside R6 000 in incentives, hoping to see long-standing records fall. The record for the men's marathon has stood for 20 years, since 1984, at two hours, 14 minutes and 47 seconds. The first athlete home this year will win R1 000, with a further R1 000 if he breaks the record. The women's marathon record for the Pick 'n Pay Marathon, set in 1990, is two hours, 33 minutes and 49 seconds. The winning woman athlete will also receive R1 000 in prize money, with a R1 000 bonus if she breaks the record. The marathon, on 15 February, is a two-lap circular route that starts at the Saheti School in Senderwood, wends its way through the neighbouring suburbs of Bedfordview and Edenvale, and ends back at the Saheti School. Besides the championship 42.2km marathon, other events will also take place on the day, including a half-marathon, a 5km fun run and races of 420m for children under four, under six and under seven. Both the marathon and half marathon set off from the school at 6am, with the 5km fun run following on at 6.15am. The 420m races for the youngsters start at 9.30am. For more information visit www.picknpay.co.za or www.saactive.com or call race office on 011 463 2743. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za