Event Information:

Although other races have touched on the life of Former President, Nelson Mandela, none take the marathon runner over such important footsteps in the history of the icon who not only contributed so much to the change in South Africa, but who has also become a beacon of hope, truth and vision for the world.
On 25 March 1961, Nelson Mandela made a surprise appearance at the All in African conference held in the Manaye Hall on FJ Sithole Road in Imbali Edendale. It was at this congress that the term ‘Amandla’ (power to the people) became popular.
The national security forces constantly hunted Mandela and on 5 August 1962 on the road to Tweedie, just west of Midmar Dam, he was stopped and detained. His capture was the first step in what would become 27 years of incarceration.
The Mandela Day Marathon was the concept of members of the Greater Edendale Athletic Club and is held between these two historic sites giving runners a special feel and appreciation for Mandela’s journey.
This is not a race for the weak of heart: It takes the discipline, dedication, determination and courage that is synonymous with the great man, affectionately known as Madiba. No one will ever know or fully appreciate the sacrifices he made for his country and beliefs but the run provides an inkling of the characteristics that helped him tackle his Long Road to Freedom.
The route climbs for the first kilometre before swinging through the Imbali community to emerge and cross the main Edendale highway Sinathiingi Road heading for Plessis-Laer. Runners rejoin the main highway for a couple of kilometres before turning into Caluza Road around the 8km mark.
The next 12 kilometres are steep uphill and have appropriately been coined as “struggle hill.” Runners ascend over 470 metres past Landauville, join Dennis Shepstone Drive and top out in Hilton with World’s View ahead of them.
As they drop down through Hilton’s residential roads the first half is completed and an easier, but still challenging, second 21km remains.
The steep down takes runners past Rotunda over the N3 and into the undulations of Merrievale Heights before joining the main Bulwer road and then back under the N3 to enters into Howick.
As they twist past the water tower runners now enter the Howick sports stadium passing two monolithic memorials to the Anglo-Boer wall to rejoin the main Howick road. It is here that the 10km run commences, sharing the same undulating course back out to the N3 highway, past the scenic inspiration of Midmar Dam and on to Tweedie.
As the road drops into the foothills of the magnificent but dramatic backdrop of the Drakensburg mountains runners turn through the newly constructed gates to the Capture Memorial and Museum. The face of Mandela draws runners uphill over the final 300metres where they pass under the finish symbolically completing their struggle of 42.195kms!
The race named after the world icon commences just below 700 metres above sea level, ascends a total of 900 metres dropping a total of 450 metres, with a highest point at 1174 metres and finishing at an altitude of 1140 metres.
The marathon also counts as a qualifier for both the Comrades Marathon and the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon
© Norrie Williamson

Start Date:

The 10 KM Race event starts on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 at 06:30:00.

Entries:

Online entries open on 18 July 2012 at 10:00 AM and close on 15 August 2012 at 12:00 PM

Entry Fees:
Category: 10 Km Run

• An entry fee of ZAR40.00(pp) will apply from Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:16:24

Event Information:

Although other races have touched on the life of Former President, Nelson Mandela, none take the marathon runner over such important footsteps in the history of the icon who not only contributed so much to the change in South Africa, but who has also become a beacon of hope, truth and vision for the world.
On 25 March 1961, Nelson Mandela made a surprise appearance at the All in African conference held in the Manaye Hall on FJ Sithole Road in Imbali Edendale. It was at this congress that the term ‘Amandla’ (power to the people) became popular.
The national security forces constantly hunted Mandela and on 5 August 1962 on the road to Tweedie, just west of Midmar Dam, he was stopped and detained. His capture was the first step in what would become 27 years of incarceration.
The Mandela Day Marathon was the concept of members of the Greater Edendale Athletic Club and is held between these two historic sites giving runners a special feel and appreciation for Mandela’s journey.
This is not a race for the weak of heart: It takes the discipline, dedication, determination and courage that is synonymous with the great man, affectionately known as Madiba. No one will ever know or fully appreciate the sacrifices he made for his country and beliefs but the run provides an inkling of the characteristics that helped him tackle his Long Road to Freedom.
The route climbs for the first kilometre before swinging through the Imbali community to emerge and cross the main Edendale highway Sinathiingi Road heading for Plessis-Laer. Runners rejoin the main highway for a couple of kilometres before turning into Caluza Road around the 8km mark.
The next 12 kilometres are steep uphill and have appropriately been coined as “struggle hill.” Runners ascend over 470 metres past Landauville, join Dennis Shepstone Drive and top out in Hilton with World’s View ahead of them.
As they drop down through Hilton’s residential roads the first half is completed and an easier, but still challenging, second 21km remains.
The steep down takes runners past Rotunda over the N3 and into the undulations of Merrievale Heights before joining the main Bulwer road and then back under the N3 to enters into Howick.
As they twist past the water tower runners now enter the Howick sports stadium passing two monolithic memorials to the Anglo-Boer wall to rejoin the main Howick road. It is here that the 10km run commences, sharing the same undulating course back out to the N3 highway, past the scenic inspiration of Midmar Dam and on to Tweedie.
As the road drops into the foothills of the magnificent but dramatic backdrop of the Drakensburg mountains runners turn through the newly constructed gates to the Capture Memorial and Museum. The face of Mandela draws runners uphill over the final 300metres where they pass under the finish symbolically completing their struggle of 42.195kms!
The race named after the world icon commences just below 700 metres above sea level, ascends a total of 900 metres dropping a total of 450 metres, with a highest point at 1174 metres and finishing at an altitude of 1140 metres.
The marathon also counts as a qualifier for both the Comrades Marathon and the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon
© Norrie Williamson

Start Date:

The 42.2 KM Marathon event starts on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 at 06:30:00.

Entries:

Online entries open on 18 July 2012 at 10:00 AM and close on 14 August 2012 at 11:59 PM

Entry Fees:
Category: 42.2km Run

• An entry fee of ZAR100.00(pp) will apply from Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:10:25