Expect fast times as popular Legends Ultra returns

IN 2016 when it was announced that the Legends Marathon would not be taking place there was an outcry of despair across the roadrunning provinces of South Africa.

Today there will be euphoria across the land following confirmation from Luthando Bara, the chairman and founder of the event, that it is all systems go for the return of Legends in 2017. The chosen date is Sunday September 24.

Pemmy Majodina, the Eastern Cape MEC for sports, arts and culture, said in reaction that “we met with the organisers and brainstormed around enhancing the race experience”.

“Legends Marathon continues to be a valuable partnership that will deliver on our mandate of sports tourism,” she added.

The race has been moved to a Sunday and that will be widely welcomed in the community. Bara says of this move “we have to ensure that safety is paramount”.

He also announced that there would be 68 water points at this year’s race.

Bara is adamant that the compendium of events on offer will ensure that the races will be bigger and better than before. The races include a half marathon, a 10km and a 5km fun run.

Running has never been bigger in respect of participation in South Africa and given that the traditional 68km Legends is to be run on a faster course from Bisho, down the N2 and finishing at the Orient Theatre, faster times can be expected than has been the case in the past.

The course is run mainly at sea level and at a great time of year.

Bara further announced excitement of a meaningful magnitude for the popular half marathon.

Legends are teaming up with East London’s Born 2 Run who have previously put on the 60:11 half marathon in memory of the greatest half marathon running Africa has ever witnessed on local soil.

The race derives its history from the 1987 epic dual between South Africa’s then world-class half marathoners. In the end it was won by Mathews Temane, who pipped Zithulele Sinqe by a proverbial whisker.

In respect of the longer race, expect to see in person the top names from Two Oceans and Comrades, otherwise only witnessed on television.

In respect of the half marathon the course is perfect for personal best times, provincial and national records and the opportunity to perhaps qualify for the World Half Marathon Championships scheduled for Valencia, Spain, in 2018.