World records the theme of the day at Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km

In what was perfect weather conditions for runners, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality was the beautiful backdrop once again for a morning of record-breaking performances as Nedbank Running Club (NRC) athletes Tete Morena Dijana and Emane Seifu Hayile set new men’s and women’s 50km world records, obliterating them in the process.

With the women setting off in the dark with the starters pistol fired at 05:30, it was evident that the pack were taking advantage of the perfect weather conditions as a pacemaker, Helalia Johannes, formed a group of six women which included last year’s champion Amelework Fikadu Bosho and Swede Hanna Lindholm who was making her debut over the ultra-marathon distance.

Passing halfway in 1:30:28, the group was down to 4 with Lindholm dropping off the pace and Tinebeb Ali and Hayile shadowing at the back of the pack. It wasn’t long after that Johannes's pacemaker job was ending before the Namibian stepped off the course.

Hayile and Ali surged ahead, leaving Bosho on her own in third but Hayile kept gesturing to Ali to keep in her slipstream, but the 22-year-old Ali found the pace too hard and with 13km to go, Hayile surged ahead.

Picking up the pace over the final 10km, Hayile remained unchallenged as she crossed the line victorious in a new world record, Ethiopian national record and continental record time of 3:00:30. Bosho came through for 2nd in 3:06:24 with Lindholm holding on for 3rd in a Swedish National record time of 3:08:56.

First South African across the line was Stella Marais who surprised everyone with her finish after starting the race as a pacemaker. “I am elated with today’s run because I honestly did not come here with the intention of finishing,” said Marais. “The agreed pace was 3:40 per km and the girls started much faster so I kept the pace until 30km and when I got there, I found that I was still feeling ok so I decided to push on.”

The men’s race was spearheaded by pacemaker Melikhaya Frans who did a fantastic job of keeping the men's way under world record tempo. Many big names dropped off the pace early. By the time the men entered the final 10km lap of five, it was down to three consisting of Dijana, his NRC teammate, Onalenna Khonkobe and Zimbabwean, Tonny Skink running in the colours of Maxed Elite.

Going through the official marathon mark in 2:12:37, all three men smashing their personal best marathon times in the process, it was Dijana who was first to strike a blow as Skink dropped back. Khonkobe tried his utmost to hang on, but the invisible elastic band finally snapped on the final turn with 3km to go and Dijana shot off.

It was a fast finish to Pollock beach as Dijana smashed Stephen Mokoka’s 50km *World Record crossing the line in 2:39:03. Not only did set a new World Record, but also set a new South African and continental record. Khonkobe hung on for 2nd 37 seconds back with Skink holding on for 3rd in a new Zimbabwean national record of 2:40:03. All 3 men finished under the previous world record. Lesotho’s Tshepo Mathibelle in 5th set a new Lesotho record of 2:43:57.

“We were in the camp for a purpose and the hard work we endured paid off today,” said an elated Dijana. “My victory is for my camp, my team Nedbank and all of South Africa.”

Race director Nick Bester was elated with another record-breaking morning. “We could not have asked for anything better and the athletes really came to the party and performed,” said Bester. “Credit must go to the whole team who put together yet another world-class event and the athletes rewarded us with not only 2 new world records but also national and continental records as well.”

“We have seen this prestigious event consistently attract some of the most exceptional athletes in the past two years and that certainly didn’t change this year. What started as an opportunity to put runners back on the road has quickly evolved and now in its third year, the race has set numerous records each year. Breaking Barriers has truly set a high benchmark because today we witnessed exceptional performances from some of the best athletes. Congratulations to all the runners that were once again part of history,” says Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank: Group Executive, Marketing and Corporate Affairs.

*American CJ Albertson did run a time of 2:38:43 on 8 October 2022 but this time has still not been ratified. The official world record ratified time is that of Stephen Mokoka’s 2:40:13.

Official list of records:

Om die Dam 18 March 2023

Nedbank Running Club National will once again host all Nedbank Running Club Athletes at the legendary Om Die Dam Marathon on Saturday 18 March 2023. 

Jacqueline Rencontre will host you and will set up the area at the Club Tent site on the Friday afternoon and any athlete that wants to join her to sleep over there are most welcome.

Come and leave your Tog bag before your race and enjoy a warm cup of coffee before your start and join us afterwards for a well deserved hot dog, banana, Thirsti Water, a Bavaria drink, Futurelife & Biogen bar, some Bogen Recovery and cooldrinks after your race to share your race story with everyone and relax before taking the long road home.

Look out for the Nedbank Running Club Gazebo and all our sponsors' branding as we are sure you will not miss it. Hope to see you all there.

Om die Dam Race Pack Collection

There will be three collection points and each athlete MUST select a collection point or choose that their race pack be posted using the couriers provided.

Sunday 12th March 2023 – Joburg from 09h00 to 13h00 (Panarottis Morning Glen Shopping Centre, Sandton)
Tuesday 14th March 2023 – Pretoria from 12h00 to 17h00 (Run-a-Way Sport, Lynwood Ridge)
Friday 17th March 2023 – Hartbeespoort Marathon clubhouse from 12h00 to 20h00.
Uncollected packs will be forfeited and will not be available at Hartbeespoort

NO COLLECTION ON RACE DAY IS POSSIBLE

Runners to Bring
ID, Driver’s License or Passport
Confirmation of registration SMS

Can’t Collect?
Yes, simply bring their SMS with race number and a letter confirming that you may collect it.
ID, Driver’s License or Passport

Click here for more Information

SPAR WOMEN’S CHALLENGE BACK WITH A BANG

Exciting changes to the prize money structure add new incentives for local athletes

The SPAR Women’s Challenge series is back with a bang and changes to the rules and prizes in the associated SPAR Grand Prix offer local runners massive new financial incentives.

For the first time since 2019, the SPAR Women’s Challenge races will be open to thousands of women in each of the six cities nationwide.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no races were run in 2020. In 2021, SPAR came to the rescue of the elite runners by hosting six races in a limited format. This was done in accordance with Covid-19 protocols giving the top runners an opportunity to compete and to earn money.  

Social runners were able to take part in a SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge, running on their own and sharing their experiences online.

In 2022, the six races were spread out over six months, but numbers remained limited, with social runners once again taking part in a Virtual Challenge.  

The 2023 SPAR Women’s Challenge will return to its original format and will again be open to thousands of women runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The popular 5km Fun Run is back and will be staged alongside the classic SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge, which incorporates the prestigious SPAR Grand Prix.

Former SPAR Grand Prix winner, Kesa Molotsane, is thrilled that the races are once again open to all.  “The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge was a brilliant idea, but there is nothing quite like a real SPAR Women’s Challenge event,’ she said. ‘It’s so exciting to encounter the different cultures and personalities at these races.  We were very grateful to SPAR that we were able to compete during the pandemic, but I think we all missed the festive atmosphere that always surrounds the SPAR Women’s Challenges.”

Kesa added, “I am looking forward to seeing new, exciting talent that always emerges every year. There may have been runners who couldn’t run in the restricted races but now have the chance to show what they can do.”

SPAR Group’s National Sponsorship and Events Manager, Charlene Subbarayan, is also delighted that the SPAR Women’s Challenges will once again involve thousands of women. “SPAR is all about promoting healthy living and good health means a healthy lifestyle so what better way, than to get everyone out in the open air, training for the SPAR Women’s Challenge series. The SPAR Women’s Challenge offers us a way of thanking our customers by providing them with a day of fun and entertainment, with plenty of spot prizes at all the races,” she said.  

“We are so happy that we can once again welcome thousands of women of all ages to our 10km races and 5km Fun Runs. Our target national entry is 70 000 women in 2023,” added Subbarayan.     

The President of Athletics South Africa (ASA), James Moloi, said the SPAR Women’s Challenge series is an important part of the South African athletics calendar. “Many women get a taste for running after training to take part in these unique women-only races. The SPAR Grand Prix races also offer the elite runners an opportunity to test themselves and the presence of international athletes, who are drawn to the race by the lucrative prize money. This has spurred our domestic runners to improve their times,” he said.    

In the SPAR Grand Prix, there are several exciting developments. In recent years, the dominance of athletes from Ethiopia and Namibia has made it difficult for the South Africans to earn the top prizes. This year, local athletes will win prizes in addition to the overall prize pool. In the 6 races, the first 2 South Africans across the finish line will win R10 000 and R5 000 respectively. They are eligible to collect the overall prizes as well, starting at R30 000 for a win, R25 000 for second place and R21 000 for third.

The prize pool for the overall SPAR Grand Prix has been similarly structured. The winner will receive R200 000, second place R100 000 and the prizes go down to tenth place. This year there will also be a separate ‘competition within a competition’ for South African athletes, with the 5 top local runners taking home a total of R185 000 in addition to the money they win in the overall SPAR Grand Prix. First place will score a handsome R75 000.

The total prize purse across the SPAR Grand Prix is now R1.9 million, 14% up on 2022.

Another important change comes in the number of races to count for the final points table. In previous years, the total points scored by an athlete over the 6 races counted. This, however, placed runners who had to miss 1 or 2 races because of international commitments or injury at a disadvantage. This year, a runner’s four best performances in the SPAR Grand Prix races will count for points. This means that a runner can miss two races and still be competitive.

The SPAR Women’s Challenge series incorporating the SPAR Grand Prix 10km races will be held in Cape Town, Gqeberha, Durban, Mbombela, Tshwane and Johannesburg.

Cape Town – Sunday, 23 April 2023 – Green Point Common
Gqeberha – Saturday, 27 May 2023 – Pollok Beach, Summerstrand
Durban – Sunday, 25 June 2023 – Kings Park Stadium
Mbombela – Saturday, 15 July 2023 – Mbombela Stadium
Tshwane – Saturday, 5 August 2023 – SuperSport Park
Joburg – Sunday, 1 October 2023 – Marks Park Sporting Club

Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon Club verification is OPEN

Club verification for 2023 is OPEN. Clubs to verify their memebrs on the Club Portal before Tuesday, 14 March 2023 

Both TTOM and your members rely on and appreciate your honest verification.

Please note: This is the only window for club member verification. You should please kindly verify your members' 2023 details by no later than 12 noon on 14 March 2023. Unfortunately, any members not correctly verified may forfeit their entry. Do not hesitate to contact the TTOM Race Office should you experience any difficulty or require assistance. Contact Race Office on 087 740 5260 or at info@twooceansmarathon.org.za.

Running regards
The Two Oceans Marathon team

2023 Comrades Substitution Process

Aspirant #Comrades2023 runners now have another chance to secure their spot on the start line of The Ultimate Human Race on Sunday, 11 June 2023.

Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) Race Director, Rowyn James says, “Athletes who were unable to enter the race during the official entry period now have another opportunity to be part of the world’s greatest footrace, thanks to the Substitution process.”

The CMA will accept substitutions for the 2023 Comrades Marathon during the substitution window period of 10 March 2023 to 10 April 2023.

How it works:
Entrants who have successfully entered the 2023 Comrades Marathon will have the opportunity to withdraw from the race during the window period of 10 - 24 March 2023.

Entry slots that have been made available by withdrawing entrants will then be made available on a first come first serve basis to individuals wanting to enter the event via an online substitution entry window period of 27 March – 10 April 2023. The substitution entry fee will be the same as per the 2023 entry fees.

No late substitutions will be accepted.

Successfully substituted out athletes will NOT be allowed to reinstate their original entries.

An Admin Fee of 15% of the entry fee will be deducted by the CMA from the withdrawing athlete. The CMA will then refund 85% of the entry fee to all withdrawing athletes who have been successfully substituted. There will be no money or voucher exchange between athletes.

The 96th Comrades Marathon will be the 48th Down Run on Sunday, 11 June 2023, starting in the inland City of Pietermaritzburg at 05h30 and ending 12 hours later in the coastal City of Durban, covering a distance of approximately 90km.