Marathon steeped in history of his capture

THE Mandela Day Marathon is poised to become one of the biggest races of its kind in South Africa.

Five thousand runners have signed up for the race on August 25 — split between the 10km and the full 42.2km leg. A 4.6664km route from the Midmar Dam to Howick will also be run.

The route is steeped in Man- dela history. It will start at Manaye Hall in Imbali township outside Pietermaritzburg, where Mandela gave his last speech before being arrested on the R103 between Howick and Tweedie in 1961. The race finishes at the capture site.

“The race will grow in leaps and bounds long after the current generation has passed on,” said Lennox Mabaso of the KwaZulu-Natal government.

Speaking after a press conference held at the capture site this week, the mayor of the Umgungundlovu municipality, Yusuf Bhamjee, said the race was a legacy project by the municipality. “This marathon reflects, in a symbolic way, the gruelling marathon that Baba Mandela had to run to lay the foundation for the new democratic ethos that we in South Africa are enjoying.”

The Mandela Day Marathon is endorsed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Mandela family. Last year, Mandla Mandela ran the 10km event.

The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races has formally recognised the race and added it to its annual calendar.

The marathon will be held annually on the last weekend of August.