While Nedbank respects the right of runners to have their collective voices heard the views expressed in the Runners' Guide Newsletter are not the views of the bank.

"Over the past four years the Nedbank Soweto Marathon has seen participant numbers swell by nearly 43% and we are looking forward to another record turn-out this year. As proud supporters of "The People's Race" and of road running in South Africa we believe that the Nedbank Soweto Marathon allows participants to experience all the warmth and history that embodies both the residents and city of Soweto. Nedbank, together with our organising partners Athletics South Africa and the City of Johannesburg remain committed to delivering yet another memorable instalment of this historic race."

Andy Scott
Head: Group Sponsorships

Poppy Mlambo who was part of the South African woman's team that came sixth overall in the team competition in Birmingham with a brilliant time of 1h14min24 seconds, is setting her sights on a Nedbank Soweto Marathon title. She will be challenged by the Lesotho Athlete Mamorola Choka. Choka was part of the group of athletes that was banned by their federation from all road races under the auspice of the IAAF but she is the only one that was cleared last week by the Lesotho Athletic federation.

Ned bank's generous support of road running in South Africa make this one of the richest races on offer to the top athletes in the race with a total prize purse of R807  000-00..

Top South African male athletes who have entered the event include Nedbank Running club runners like Colin Khoza,  Pule Hlabahlaba, Phillip Molefe and two times Nedbank S.A. marathon champion George Mofokeng who won the Nedbank Cape Town City marathon last month in a time of 2h14min20sec. The Zimbawean athlete Henry Moyo is also in the line up.

South Africa's Coolboy Ngamole, back from his efforts in Berlin at the recent World Championships will be running the 10km event.

Stephen Mokoka, now S.A 10km. champion will be the favourite in the 10km race as he clocked 28min.21 seconds in Stellenbosch. He will be challenged by Nedbank team mate Lungisa Mdedelwa from the Transkei who finished fourth in the S.A. Championships.

Online entries are available at www.nedbanksponsorships.co.za  before the closing date-25 October 2009.

Entries for previous Comrades runners are pouring in, and space is now at a premium.

As at 12H00, 21 October 2009, there were only 2 422 entry places available, out of a possible 15 000. Entries will close on 31 October, or when the figure reaches 15 000. Currently there are over 6 000 runners that completed the 2009 race, who have not entered as yet. According to our statistics an average of 80% of the runners that compete in one year return the next. Therefore there is not enough entries spots available for 80% of these 6 000 runners who may wish to enter and run in 2010.

An urgent reminder that the entry deadline will not be extended in any way, and that entries are accepted on a first come first served basis.

Ends.
___________________
Statement Released 21 October 2009
Issued by Comrades Marathon Media & Communications, Craig Fry
For further information contact Comrades Marathon on 033 8978650

The Delmas 4-in-1 will be taking place on the 24th October 2009 in Delmas from the High School Sport grounds.  The 42.2km as well as the 21.1km will start at 06h30 and the 10km and 5km will start at 06h45.  There will be a children's crèche area available overseen by qualified nursery school teachers for mothers who would like to run the further distances.  Entries can be done on www.entrytime.com as well as by bank deposit as per the banking details on the entry form, entries will also be taken the morning of the race from 05h00. The 42 and 21km are on the same route of which the 42.2km is a double lapper.  This is a fast and flat route and ideal for a fast Comrades qualifier.

The race with a prize purse of R12 000 and medals to all finishers is presented by the Nedbank Running Club.

Date: 23 October 2009
Time: 18h00
Organisers: Nedbank Running Club (AVT)
Distance: 161; ; 

Start: Kollegepark Primary School
Vanderbijlpark
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Hennie van Rensburg
(W) 016-9860064
(H) 016-9325616
(F) 016-9860065
(C) 082-8943394
(Email) hennievr@xantium73.co.za
 
Entry Details:
Pre-entries close a month before the event. Late entries are taken on the day of the race from 14h00.
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Lap
This is a fast and flat route all the way.

ORGANISED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB AGN.
We whant this race to be a great success and ask that the Nedbank Running Club members support and join us for the race on 24 October 2009
The Nedbank Running Club GN Tent will be at the race
Tog bags can be handed in at the tent before the race
Join us at the Nedbank Running Club tent after the race for refreshments

Race Flyer

Event Date : 24 Oct 2009
Province : Mpumalanga
Venue : Delmas High School Sports Grounds
Online Entries : www.entrytime.com
Online Start Date : 07 Aug 2009
Online End Date : 21 Oct 2009
Contact : Jacky
Contact Number : 079 526 6827 
  

Distance & Entry Fee
42.2km - R68.40
21.1km - R46.00
10km - R26.00
5km - R16.00
420m Mini Marathon - 11H00 - R5.00
 

Start Time
42.2km - 06H30
21.1km - 06H30
10km - 06H45
5km - 06H45
 

Venue
Delmas High School Sport Grounds
 

General Information
1. Gold medals to the first five men and women in each event
2. Silver medals to next fifteen men and women in each event
3. Bronze medals to all finishers in all events
4. Refreshment stations will be available approximately every 3 kilometres on the route and at the finish
5. Ample and secure parking
6. Safe and secure children's area in the care of qualified nursery school teachers at R30.00 per child
7. Lots of entertainment for the whole family.
8. Entries accepted on race day from 05h30 to 5 minutes before start
9. Fast and flat route - great for new PB.
10. Many Lucky Draw Prizes!
 

Race Rules
1. 2009 Licence number and/or temporary licences will be valid
2. The race will be run in accordance with the Rules of ASA and AMPU
3. Foreign athletes must observe IAAF Rule 4 paragraph 2
4. All licensed competitors must run in official club colours and must wear their 2009 licence or temporary licence on the back of their vests
5. Athletes competing for a category prize must wear official age category ID tags on the front and back of their vests and category winners must submit proof of age on request
6. No seconding will be allowed and no blades, cycles or mechanically operated devices allowed along the route
7. Traffic officers and race marshals must be obeyed at all times
8. Athletes participate at own risk and indemnify the national, provincial and regional bodies, sponsors and organisers of the race against any and all actions of whatever nature that may occur during the race
9. No pets or animals allowed along route
10. Participants must start at times and distances entered for
11. Prize giving will start after cut-off times for different races and lucky draws will commence after prize giving for 42.2km event. All prize winners must be present at the prize giving ceremony to collect their prizes. Winners who fail to comply will automatically forfeit their prize
12. The race organisers reserve the right to accept or reject any entry
 
 
Cut - Off Time
42.2km - 12h30
21.1km - 10h00
10km - 08h45
5km - 07h45
 
 

Nedbank Running Club tent will be at the race
Nedbank Athletes can hand tog bags in before the race at the tent
Afterwards Nedbank Athletes can join us at the Nedbank Running Club tent for refreshments
See you all there

If there is one marathon every South African runner (and Citizen) needs to do it is this one. Known as the People's Marathon, it could equally be called the Friendliest Marathon based on the ever-present crowd support and encouragement. The streets are lined by the community, cheering, chanting and encouraging runners.
 
Date: 01 November 2009
Time: 06h00
Organisers: Athletics South Africa/Central Gauteng
Distance: 42.2; 10; 5; 

Start: MTN Expo Centre
NASREC
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Central Gauteng Athletics
(W) 011-8732726
(H) 011-8702266
(F) 011-8732786
(Email) cgauteng@intekom.co.za

Contact 2: Athletics South Africa
(W) 011-8805800
(F) 011-7886872
(C) 082-9909470
(Email)asa@athleticssa.co.za
 
 
Entry Details:
You can also enter online at www.nedbanksponsorships.co.za, or at leading local sports stores. Postal entries for the marathon event will be accepted up to two weeks before the event. Hand-delivered entries are accepted at the offices of ASA or the Central Gauteng offices up to one week before the race. No entries are taken on the day of the race. Grand Masters enjoy free entry. All events, except the five-kilometre dash, require pre-entry. Registration takes place at the various venues during the prior week.
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular

As an appetiser, this is what you will experience on the route: ".....to tour the most famous section of the township - Vilikazi Street in Orlando West. This is the only street in the world to be home for two Nobel Peace Laureates - Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As runners wind and climb the hill they also pass Uncle Tom's Community Hall and see the Hector Pietersen Museum and memorial that commemorates the 1976 student uprising. Coming back through to Vilikazi street a simple brick wall marks the spot where Hector Pietersen was shot, which contrasts strongly with the rapturous welcome runners can expect just 300m up the hill at Nambitha pub and restaurant where patrons will enjoy breakfast as runners commence their drop down past Winnie's house."......  With acknowledgements and thanks to Norrie Williamson.