September 17, 2004
By Bafana Nzimande
MORE than 8 000 athletes are expected to line up for the 2004 City-to-City 50km ultra-marathon on Sunday, 26 September, which stretches from Megawatt Park, Johannesburg to Pilditch Stadium, Tshwane.
Organised by Central Gauteng Athletics and Athletics Gauteng North to unearth new talent and promote athletics, this year's event promises to be a fast-paced one.
"We hope that someone this year will break the long-standing records," said Nomazwe Ntlokwane of Region 8's sports, arts and recreation department.
The men's record has stood for 22 years. Set by Ben Cheou in 1982, the men's fastest time over the distance stands at two hours 46 minutes and eight seconds, while Frith van der Merwe holds the women's record in a time of three hours, four minutes and 30 seconds, set in 1989.
Gauteng's department of sports, recreation, arts and culture, the City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, SAB, Mageu Number 1 and Elliot Removals have joined forces to sponsor this year's event, following the disbanding of the 2003 sponsor, New Africa Invested Limited.
But organisers are forging ahead with the 2004 race and, according to Walter Vilakazi the general manager of Athletics Gauteng North, they hope to secure major sponsors for next year's event.
Although this year's prize money has dropped from last year, both the male and female winners of the 50km event will pocket prize money of R10 000. Second place prize money is R7 500, while those runners coming in third will get R5 000 each.
A bonus incentive of R5 000 has also been set up for any participant that manages to break the race records.
"Participants can expect the same traditional high standard at this event," said Vilakazi.
Participants can, for a R25 fee, park at Megawatt and Wierda Park in Centurion and catch buses to the starting point at 4.30am. Buses will return to the car parks at 1.30pm.
In keeping with the Heritage Day festivities - the race takes place on the Sunday after the holiday - there will be a City-to-City 20km walk as well as a 20km run from Wierda Park in Centurion.
Organisers estimate that about 2 000 people will take part in the events, which also have cash prizes for the top finishers. Each winner of the walk and the 20km run will receive R5 000.
The 20km race starts at 6am and the 20km walk will start at 6.10am.
While the closing date for postal entries has passed, hand-delivered entry forms will be accepted until Monday, 20 September at the Central Gauteng Athletics offices at the Germiston Stadium, at the Athletics Gauteng North offices at Pilditch Stadium, and at selected stores.
Runners can obtain entry forms from Central Gauteng Athletics or Athletics Gauteng North or selected sports shops.
Online entries can be found on www.saactive.com and will also close on 20 September.
Participants for the 20km walk and run may still enter on Saturday, 25 September between 10am and 1pm at Megawatt Park and between 2pm and 4pm at Pilditch Stadium, and on Sunday 26 September from 4.30am to 5.45am at the start venue in Wierda Park.
"I urge participants to submit their entry forms as early as possible," says Ntlokwane, adding that this year's event "will be filled with much fun".
For more information, call the Central Gauteng Athletics on 011 873 2726 or Athletics Gauteng North on 012 327 4930.
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