State of readiness for the Mandela Day Marathon

Over 21000 registered athletes for the Mandela Day Marathon are expected in Pietermaritzburg this weekend. The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube was briefing the members of the media on the state of readiness for the race at the Mandela Capture Site on 22.08.18

MEDIA BRIEFING: STATE OF READINESS FOR 2018 MANDELA DAY MARATHON

BY NOMUSA DUBE-NCUBE

KZN MEC FOR COGTA

MANDELA CAPTURE SITE: 22 AUGUST 2018

Ladies and gentlemen of the media

Thank you for availing yourself for today’s final media briefing on the 2018 Mandela Day Marathon.

With only a few days before the start of the Marathon, we are confidently entering what in sports lingo is called a home stretch.

Today’s media briefing has been called to provide a progress report on the state of readiness for this year’s race, including the logistical arrangements for athletes and other participants.

We have 24,000 registered runners for the 2018 marathon which makes this year’s event the biggest yet. We would like to thank all of them for heeding our advice and registering before the deadline for registrations which was 31 July 2018. This has allowed us enough time for the actual logistical preparations for the race.

This year, as you know, is Madiba’s centenary year and the race thus assumes that special aura of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run a race of this importance. This race will have a unique atmosphere that simply cannot be replicated. Make the best of it – either as a runner or a spectator.

Athletes can check their registration details and collect their packs and numbers in Durban today, 22 August, at Moses Mabhida Stadium between 10:00am and 07:00pm and in Pietermaritzburg this Friday, 24 August, at PMB YMCA Sports Hall between 10:00am and 07:00pm and also this Saturday, 25 August, at the same venue between 09:00am and 05:00pm. Athletes are also encouraged to follow text message updates on the race sent to their mobiles.

The main 42.2km race will be run on Sunday, 26 August, starting at 06:00am and finishing at 12h00 midday which is a 6 hour cut-off. The 21.1km race will also be run on Sunday, 26 August, starting at 05:30am and finishing at 08:30am which is a 3 hour cut-off. The 10km race will be run on the same day, 26 August, starting at 05:30am and finishing at 07:30am which is a 2 hour cut-off.

Parking for athletes and visitors will be available at all start venues. Everyone is advised to drive to start venues and park their vehicles there. Roads will close 30 minutes before races start. There will be no shuttles from the Capture Site to the Start before the race due to a full road closure. Athletes will be shuttled back to starting points after the race.

From our organisers’ perspective, we can report that our main sponsor – ABSA – is on board and excited to participate. The same goes for KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and uMgungundlovu District Municipality as the two co-organisers of the event.

We would like to conclude with a firm assurance that we are aiming for a fitting celebration of Madiba’s centenary through this year’s marathon and we all are absolutely committed to ensuring that this is the experience you will all take away from this race either as runners or spectators.

I thank you!