ROAD STARS HOPE TO SMILE ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK
Johannesburg, Wednesday, 14 July 2010 - Athletics Transkei’s Mululeki Nobanda and the Central Gauteng quartet of Xolisa Tyali, Lucky Miya, Zongamela Dyubeni and Sibusiso Nzima will be involved in a race against time with money and medals at stake, when they compete in Athletics South Africa’s SA Half Marathon Championships in Motherwell, near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape on Saturday, July 24.
With the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund having come to the party to take road running to the community, a brisk pace is expected to be set with R50 000 up for grabs for the first male athlete to dip under 1 hour 20 secs, and female participant to better 1 hour 9 min and 37 secs – placing these athletes in the IAAF’s Top 50 rankings based on 2009 performances.
Besides the honour of being crowned as national champions, the male and female race winners could take home a total of R105 000 each, should the national men’s mark of 1:00.07 held by Hendrick Ramaala and 1:06.44 behind the name of Elana Meyer, also be bettered. Record incentives of R50 000 each are up for grabs, while the race winners will collect R5000 each.
The highly experienced Nobanda, with a 2009 half marathon best of 1:04.48, while Tyali (1:05.07 in 2010), Miya (1:08.04 in 2010), Dyubeni (1:03.56 in 2009) and Nzima (1:08.38 in 2009) all have the ability to provide spectators with a speedy race outing that could see someone smiling all the way to the bank.
The second placed male and female athlete will take home R4000 each respectively, with the bronze medallists pocketing R3500 each.
The flat one-lap course through the streets of Motherwell, in the Friendly City, is expected to be perfectly suited to fast performances.
The day’s programme will consist of 21.1km wheelchair race (07h00 start), SA Half Marathon Championships (07h15 start), 5km fun run (07h30 start). Prize giving will take place at 10h30.
Sports enthusiasts wishing to be a part of the action in Port Elizabeth can enter via www.athletics.org.za. Entry forms can be obtained from Sweat Shop stores in Johannesburg or Sportsmans Warehouse outlets in East London, Centurion, Cresta, Atterbury, Fourways, Westrand, Rondebosch, Canal Walk and Tygervalley, as well as at Totalsports branches in George and East London. Entry forms are also available from the offices of Border Athletics, Eastern Province Athletics, South Western Districts Athletics or Western Province Athletics.
For further information, please contact:
Richard Stander (ASA: Assistant to the Administrator: Athletes Affairs)
Cellular: 072 347 8964
Paul Martin (ASA: Assistant the Administrator: Communications)
Cellular: 082 780 1744
ENDS
