The Nedbank Running Club has been a proud supporter of running for decades and is excited to host the second Nedbank Runified elite race in Gqeberha on Sunday, 6 March 2022.

With a 3-year partnership now penned with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the success of this event has set a high benchmark for road running in South Africa. 

Organisers are hoping for another record attempt on the fast flat surface which saw athletes do 5 laps of the 10 km course along Marine Drive, turn near Pine lodge and then back to the turn near Kings Beach to the start/finish line opposite Pollok Beach, Summerstrand. Gqeberha has a history of producing fast times on the roads. Athletics fans will remember the titanic duel between the late Zithulele Sinqe and Willie Mtolo at the 1986 South African Marathon championships. Sinqe prevailed 11 seconds ahead of Mtolo, but their times of 2:08:04 and 2:08:11 were the 4th and 5th fastest times in the World. No South African athlete has ever run faster on South African soil. 

The event itself presents a race within a race where athletes are not only chasing the first prize of R150 000 up for grabs for the winner, and then a hefty R150 000 for a new IAU World record.

What was set out as an opportunity to maintain momentum of elite running in 2021, saw eight 50km IAU World Record times being broken. Nedbank running club’s Irvette Van Zyl crossed the finish line at 3:04:23 to be the first South African female to break the Women’s 50km IAU Marathon World Record. The men’s title, which has been held by Thompson Magawana for over 30 years was broken by Nedbank running club Ethiopia’s Ketema Negasa at 2:42:06.
“With careful event planning and attention to detail, all Covid protocols will be adhered to ensuring another safe and world class event.” says race Director and NRC National Manager, Nick Bester. Prize money totals a whooping R900 000, which will be paid to the 10 male and female finishers, age category prizes and bonuses for running a new World record.

“We can confirm that this exclusive race will welcome top-tier elite runners and renowned industry names, making the Nedbank Runified elite race one of the greatest running line-ups that South African running has ever seen,” added Bester.

Although no spectators are allowed, the race will feature live TV coverage via SABC & SuperSport and be livestreamed on Nedbank Running club Facebook page and Nedbank YouTube Channel.

More details of the event will be shared in due course.

For more information on Elite Teams, contact Nick Bester on 082 454 2222 or e-mail us nbsport@lantic.net