The clock is ticking, the entries are flying in and registration is well under. The KZN Athletics in partnership with Provincial government and the hosting district of uMgungundlovu are ready to host another successful Mandela Day Marathon.
Invitation is extended to marathon runners who aim to qualify for any marathon in the world, as the Mandela Day Marathon is now a member of AIMS. As a result the marathon is now on the calendar of International Marathons, and will take place every last Sunday of August each year.

The Nelson Mandela Marathon starts at the Arya Samaj Hall in Pietermaritzburg’s Township of Imbali and finishes at the Mandela Capture Site in Howick. The start venue is the historic hall where Nelson Mandela made his last public speech as a free man. While the capture site is the point where Madiba was arrested before serving 27yrs in prison.

In 2016 the marathon is happening on Sunday the 28th of August. To mark the fifth running milestone, a target of 15 000 athletes from over 30 countries has been set for the toughest marathon in honour of a man whose long walk was never easy. This number is inclusive of the flagship 42.2km marathon, 21.1km, 10km, Kids Run, trail running, mountain biking and triathlon races.

Beat the closing date of entry, and enter before the 31st of July 2016.

 Athlete Centric

The Mandela Marathon is focused on improving its focus on athletes, while celebrating Nelson Mandela’s Legacy as a Nation Builder and a Father of the Nation.
With the Mandela marathon enjoying live broadcast on SABC Television, it is truly an opportunity for athletes to show-up and make an appeal to the corporate world to support the sport and athletes in particular.

The event organisers have gone out of their way to make this year’s event, a most memorable experience for the participating athletes. Athletes can be assured of a well secured event, from the overnight accommodation and meals for needing athletes, to the provision of on-route refreshments and medical services, and post-race necessities. Including an athlete recovery area and all possible support contained in this area. Athletes will be supplied with all medical, physiotherapy and nutritional requirements to recover from these tough events.

This event enjoys full support of the Provincial Government, the uMgungundlovu District Municipality and the two hosting local municipalities of Msunduzi and uMngeni. The Nelson Mandela Foundation is the strategic partner and works to ensure that the event lives up to the world standard of celebration, for a world class statesman.

Prize Money

This year the overall prize money is just over R 1.3 Million, this increase is aimed at benefiting Athletes and to bring the Mandela Day Marathon festival of sporting events on par with all major events in South Africa.

An amount of R20 000.00 has been set aside for Clubs that register most runners for the flagship 42,2km. The first prize in this category will be R10 000.00, with the second prize pegged at R6 000.00 and the third prize R4000.00.

We are proud to announce two additional prizes in respect of the Mandela Marathon. The first one relates to Disabled Runners participating in the 42,2km. We have set aside an amount of R50 000.00 as prizes for Disabled Runners.

2016 Event programme

Saturday 27 August 2016 Super Sport Highlights package
06h00 Trail Running
09h00 Mountain Biking
11h30 Youth run
12h30 Triathlon

Sunday 28 August 2016 – SABC Sport live broadcast
06h30: Start of VIP and 10 Km road race
06h45: Start of 21.1 Km Half Marathon
07h00: Start of 42.2 Km Marathon

For more information contact: Athletic Clubs Coordinator – Oscar Dlomo on Tel: 072 9333 757 or 033 897 7005. Email: Dlomo.oscar@umdm.gov.za