Top athletes to find hero within

RUNNERS will be jostling for a front row spot on the starting line tomorrow morning as the 18th annual Heroes Marathon sets off from the Mthatha airport.

An exciting race is in store as some of South Africa’s best runners, along with competitors from Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, Namibia, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Zambia, and Zimbabwe go all out for the grand prize of R50 000 for the first male and female to cross the finish line at the Mandela Museum in Qunu.

“I am very excited for the race. There is interest from every corner of the Transkei and across South Africa,” said president of Transkei Athletics Lungisile Molwana.

“This is one of the biggest races in the Eastern Cape and in the country and it is prestigious in that it brings top runners from outside the country to also take part.”

Last year’s defending champions, Ntsindiso Mphakathi, who hails from Port St Johns and Ethiopian Selam Abere, who won the men’s and women’s division of the race respectively, will both be back to try and defend their titles.

However, a strong field as always will be taking part and any one of the other top runners could take the win.

For Abere,it could be a special occasion as she could make it three wins in a row if she crosses first.

This year to encourage more local participation a R2 500 cash bonus has been made available for the first Eastern Cape runners in the men and women’s open category to cross the line in the 42.2km marathon.

“The race has grown so much over the years. Almost all of the local municipalities try send athletes to make sure that all districts are represented at the race,” said Molwana.

Also adding to the already high stakes is that this marathon is a qualifier for the Athletics South Africa Marathon Championships.

For participants not taking part to win or qualify they will be taking a run through history as, in addition to promoting the province as a picturesque tourist destination, runners will retrace the journey former president Nelson Mandela often undertook on foot as a young boy.

Two other runs will also be taking place on the day.

The 10km race, which has an enticing R8 000 prize purse for the first two finishers in the men’s and women’s divisions, and then the 5km fun run, which should see a number of families getting involved on the day.

All three runs end at the Qunu Museum.

“It is very important all athletes must come and register on Saturday for the 42km and 10km races so we can make sure we start on time on Sunday,” said Molwana.

Registration will take place from 11am today until 10pm tonight at UNITRA or Walter Sisulu University.

Entry forms are still available at Total Sports, Studio 88 (Mthatha and East London), Mthatha Health Club and all Sport and Recreation District offices.

Registration is R120 for the 42.2km, R70 for the 10km and R20 for adults and R10 for scholars in the 5km.

No entries will be accepted on race day and all foreign athletes must comply with IAAF Rule 142.2 and 4.2 which states they will be expected to produce a letter from their respective federations permitting them to participate in this race.