Massive turnout is on cards for Heroes

The 18th annual Heroes Marathon is expected to attract more than 5,000 running enthusiasts to Mthatha on December 16.

The annual historic race is set to begin at the former statesman Nelson Mandela’s home in Qunu, and is expected to finish at the Walter Sisulu University sportsfields.

Last year’s main race saw a thrilling conclusion on the men’s front when Nkosikhona Mhlakwana from KwaZuluNatal outsprinted Ethiopian Kebede Aberra to take the win by just two seconds.

A similar race could be in store this year, with a strong field expected.

On the women’s front, last year Ethiopian Asefa Chelitu Bogale cruised to the win ahead of Lesotho’s Lineo Chaka and Zimbabwean Olivia Chitate respectively.

The first South African home was Vuyokazi Gebe in fourth place, so the local women will be eager to reclaim the title and keep it in the country this time round.

People can register for the three races at Webticket, which is also available at Pick n Pay.

Registration for the 42.2km race costs R120, the 21km costs R70, while the entry fee for the 10km is R50. The last day to register is the 15th.

“People can also visit our website for more details, and we have exciting prizes like the two cars for both the male and female overall winners each.

“In the half-marathon the first prize is R15,000, and for the 10km it’s going to be a R10,000,” said the race founder, Gogo Manqoyi.

“We are expecting plus minus 6,000 athletes, because there’s no other race in the country, and in the neighbouring countries.

“In the past there used to be the Lesotho Marathon that used to collide with our race. But now there’s not going to be another race besides this one.

“And the cars that are going to be given away are creating the hype we want around the running spectacle.

“Thanks to our partnership with Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) we have the two cars to give away.

“Their market price value is R150,000 each.”

We are expecting plusminus 6,000 athletes, because there’s no other race in the country