ROAD RUNNING

RUNNERS with an eye on qualifying for South Africa’s two biggest races next year – the Two Oceans and Comrades ultras – have an ideal opportunity to achieve their goals when the Aspen PE City Marathon takes place on Saturday.

Nobody wants their Christmas dinner spoilt by thoughts of exhausting training runs. This popular event on a fast course is the perfect chance to get that particular bugbear out of the way.

Hosted by Crusaders Athletic Club, the marathon starts and finishes at the Dutch Reformed Church in Marne Road, Lorraine. The marathon runners will get away at 5am, but there are plenty of options for those who find 42.2km daunting.

The organisers have included 10km and 5km events. The 10km is an out-and-back course, covering the first 5km of the marathon route.

The 5km fun run has its own route, but shares the start and finish area.

The marathon is a fast, flat course run through scenic residential smallholdings.

The difference between the highest and lowest point is 70m.

Besides qualifying for forthcoming ultras, the Eastern Province runners can pick up points for their clubs because the marathon is a prestige and participation league event.

Pre-entries close today, but you can also enter at the starting venue in Lorraine on Friday from 5pm to 8pm or on Saturday morning from 4am.