Through Nedbank Runified: Breaking Barriers, Nedbank and the Nedbank Running Club are creating opportunities to maintain the momentum of elite running in 2021 and support small businesses and entrepreneurs – proving that the Nedbank Running Club is #MoreThanAClub.

This exclusive race will welcome top-tier elite runners and renowned industry names, making it one of the greatest running line-ups that South African running has ever seen. The ultra-marathon will be hosted by Eastern Province Athletics (EPA), which is affiliated with Athletics South Africa (ASA), an organisation that is recognised by World Athletics. The ultra-marathon will take place on 23 May 2021, hosted by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, in an attempt to break the 50 km world record time. The Nedbank Runified: Breaking Barriers ultra-marathon has received a Bronze label by the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) - a label that has only been awarded to two other ultra-marathons in South Africa, Comrades Marathon as well as the Two Oceans Marathon.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the national lockdown that followed, both entrepreneurs and small businesses are working hard to rebuild their businesses. Through sole-ownership and naming rights, Nedbank will forego multiple branding opportunities associated with the race and hand these over to 35 small businesses and entrepreneurs, giving them the opportunity to get back on their feet and see money differently. Through a partnership with SABC, including social-media exposure on Nedbank platforms and free advertising rights, small businesses and entrepreneurs will have a platform to get national exposure for their businesses. The race will be broadcast on SABC, giving friends, family, and fans the opportunity to catch all the live-action and not miss a moment.

‘Nedbank has supported running for decades, and we’ve identified the need to get elite runners back on the road, give fans of the sport a really compelling TV product, and, in the process, continue to help small-business banking clients to get publicity and access to value-adding platforms that we've offered from the onset of the pandemic,’ said Tobie Badenhorst, Head of Group Sponsorships and Cause Marketing at Nedbank.

‘We're excited about bringing running events to life in 2021 and see the hard work and effort of our runners pay off in this thrilling race. We are looking forward to runners breaking barriers and world records,’ added Nick Bester, National Manager of the Nedbank Running Club.

In 2020 Nedbank created the virtual Nedbank Runified Series, which challenged runners across the country to unify through running remotely. Runified became Africa’s biggest-ever virtual mass participation platform with the Nedbank Running Club being the largest virtual running club in Africa. Nedbank is excited to host Nedbank Runified 2.0, starting in June 2021, which is an opportunity to engage and interact with runners across the nation.

‘We're so excited to see some of our greatest runners back on the road, and the prospect of a new world record makes it an unmissable event. We're proud to be able to bring this event to South Africa and, in true Nedbank fashion, ensure that our communities’ benefit while doing so,’ concluded Badenhorst.

Follow the #NedbankRunified conversation on Nedbank’s social-media platforms for more information on Nedbank Runified: Breaking Barriers and Nedbank Runified 2.0.

Get over 500 000 more eyeballs on your business! We’re looking for small businesses that have defied the odds and broken records with sheer grit and stamina. Tell us your story and Nedbank will run the extra mile with you by giving your business our advertising exposure, valued at over R100 000. SimplyBiz, powered by Nedbank, is a free, beyond banking platform, for business owners by business owners.

On your marks, get set, grow!

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