January 27, 2006
By Sipho Maduna
THE richest road running series ever to hit South Africa is being run on Sunday, 29 January in Sandton.
Nedbank/ASA City Marathon carries prize money of R300 000. Such a purse is "unheard of in the history of South African road running", says Phiwe Tsholetsane, the event, marketing and communications manager at Athletics South Africa (ASA).
Included in the series is a 20km run, a 10km run and a 5km fun run to entice youngsters to the sport.
There is R20 000 up for grabs for a winner in the 20km race. The runner-up will pocket R15 000 and the third prize winner will go home with R10 000. Cash will be paid out all the way to the tenth runner, who will pocket R2 000.
A sum of R5 000 will be given to the winner of the 10km race, the average won at marathons. T-shirts, goodie bags and medals will be given to all 20km and 10km finishers.
There are also prizes and goodies for participants in the 5km race. In keeping with the ASA's goal of equal representation, female athletes will take home the same amount of prize money as male winners.
Big name athletes are expected to enter, despite the tough course predicted for the first race in the series. "The response has been very positive from the athletes, which should be reflected by the calibre of athletes expected to enter," Tsholetsane said.
Road closures
The Johannesburg Roads Agency has advised motorists that roads will be partially closed in Sandton on Sunday for the race, from 7am to 1pm.
One lane in the following streets will be closed:
- Starting point from Rivonia Road into Fredman Drive and West Street;
- From West Street into Grayston Drive, which becomes Andries Street South;
- Andries Street South, which becomes Arkwright Avenue and then Wynberg Road;
- Along Wynberg Road into 20th Avenue and then into Roosevelt Street;
- From Roosevelt Street into East Bank Avenue and into Lion Crescent;
- Lion Crescent into Cheetah Lane and into Hofmeyer Street;
- From Hofmeyer Street into Ninth Avenue into First Avenue;
- First Avenue, which becomes Viola Avenue;
- From Viola Avenue into Lillium Avenue and into Marlboro Drive;
- Marlboro Drive into Katherine Street;
- From Katherine Street back to Grayston Drive;
- Grayston Drive into Daisy Street and into North Road;
- From North Road into Gillard Street and into Marion Street; and
- From Marion Street back into Rivonia Road.
The race starts at 7am and the 5km race begins at 7.10am, at the Nedbank building at 135 Rivonia Road, Sandton.
For more information about the race contact 011 880 5800 or email mathaseries@athleticssa.co.za.
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