July 16, 2004
By Lebofsa Masha
THOUSANDS of runners across Gauteng are preparing for the Blue IQ Joburg City Challenge on Sunday 18 July - a race that celebrates South Africa's 10 years of democracy.
Blue IQ's communications manager, Natascha Uberbacher, says entries for this year's race - which coincides with Nelson Mandela's 86th birthday - are being processed.
Last year more than 12 000 people took part in the inaugural race.
This year, however, the number will be limited to 8 000 to prevent congestion, says Uberbacher.
"We have already processed more than 6 000 entries and are still receiving hundreds of calls from people who want to enter," she adds.
Several races are being held: a celebrity street mile for invited athletes; Africa's richest half-marathon; and a 10km race to celebrate 10 years of democracy.
All eyes, however, are on the half-marathon, which has attracted a large field of professional and amateur runners from South Africa and abroad.
"Athletes can expect this year's race to attract a high number of top athletes, including new runners with the energy and ambition to prove a point," says Athletics South Africa's chief executive, Banele Sindani.
Thembani Ndlovu from Berea, a "senior" who will be running in a professional race for the first time, registered for the 10km a month ago and has been training in a gym.
Ndlovu is looking forward to being part of a race along the streets of Johannesburg.
"I live in the city and love it so much that I made a point of supporting all the positive developments under way by participating in the race," she says.
Ndlovu says the race gives people a chance to test their abilities while having fun.
Joseph Victor-Coutries, a local grandmaster who won the Vodacom 42km race last month and is a regular in the Comrades ultra-marathon, will participate for the second time.
"The Blue IQ Joburg Challenge is about unity. It brings together all races to enjoy themselves and to celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday in style," says Victor-Coutries.
"Running is my hobby, and it is a great feeling to run over the eye-catching Nelson Mandela Bridge. The bridge brings together two towns and has brought an element of pride to our city skyline," he says.
Two Kenyan athletes - Yusuf Songoka, who finished second last year, and Sammy Korir - are expected to be serious contenders for this year's first place. Abner Chipu, the South African champion who finished third last year, is also in contention.
Ray de Vries, the international athlete coordinator for the event, says: "The Blue IQ Joburg City Challenge is attracting an enormous amount of interest and it is not easy to figure out who will finally take home the first prize."
The first man and woman over the line in the half-marathon will each earn R175 000. The two runners-up will take home R75 000 and R50 000.
The "testing" half-marathon takes runners over several short but steep hills with sweeping downhills. The race will start in Bree Street, head towards the Oriental Plaza, venture back down Carr Street, go over the Nelson Mandela Bridge, pass Constitutional Hill and follow the M1 south before descending to the finishing line in Mary Fitzgerald Square.
Participants who finish any of the races will receive a medal to commemorate 10 years of freedom.
For more information contact Uberbacher on 011 689 1624 or 072 531 9717
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