Mandela walk and run set to be special
Half marathon adds to appeal
Thousands of participants have started collecting their entries for this year’s Mandela Remembrance Walk and Run, which takes place this Sunday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Race collection points opened at the Nelson Mandela Foundation today and will move to the Union Buildings today and tomorrow between 9am and 7pm.
Late registrations will still be accepted at the Union Buildings race collection point this weekend ahead of the event on Sunday, which sees the introduction for the first time this year of a 21km half marathon, in addition to the 5km walk and 10km run of previous editions.
Online entries for the increasingly popular event on the road running calendar will remain open at www.mandelawalkandrun.com until midnight tonight.
The entry fee is R50 for the 5km walk, R100 for the 10km run and R150 for the 21km run.
There will be nominal winner’s prize money of R5 000 for the elite runners in each age and gender category taking on the 10km and halfmarathon route.
All participants will receive drawstring bags from Lotto containing a Lotto shirt, cap and more event goodies.
Some of South Africa’s top personalities have confirmed their participation in this year’s Mandela Remembrance Walk and Run on Sunday, which will be a special family event that will take in points of significance in Madiba’s and South Africa’s political journey.
Bafana Bafana football legends Shaun Bartlett, Doctor Khumalo and Aaron Mokoena are taking part, as is wheelchair tennis sensation Kgothatso Montjane and elite athletes such as 2016 Comrades winner Charne Bosman, who has been joined this week in the race by another former Comrades winner in the popular Ludwick Mamabolo.
Olympian Christine Kalmer, former SA marathon champ Benedict Moeng and former World Student Games halfmarathon silver medallist Collen Mulaudzi will also be participating.
Charismatic businessman, former Gauteng premier and human settlements minister Tokyo Sexwale has also confirmed his participation. – Sowetan Reporter