As a proud supporter of running in South Africa, Nedbank is excited to announce the third edition of the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km, an ultra-marathon aimed at breaking the 50 km world record. 

This exclusive race has once again attracted top-tier elite runners and renowned industry names, making it one of the greatest running line-ups that South African running has ever seen. In its first edition, Nedbank Running Club athletes, Keteme Bekele Negasa and Irvette van Zyl both set new 50 km World Records with South Africa’s, Stephen Mokoka setting a new men’s world record in the 2022 iteration of the event. 

Nedbank believes that running provides an opportunity to touch the lives of all South Africans. As a longstanding supporter of the sport, Nedbank is truly delighted to be the title sponsor of the third edition of the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50 km ultramarathon. “Breaking Barriers has set a high benchmark of what the Nedbank Runified series stands for as well as participation from our elite South African runners. Breaking Barriers has provided a platform for the nation to witness world-class performances and we are proud to incentivize them for their achievements,” says Nthabiseng Matshekga, Executive Head of Group Marketing at Nedbank. 

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has endorsed this event organized by EP Athletics and is no stranger to hosting world-class sporting events. With the amazing behind-the-scenes team and assistance of the NMBM, Nick Bester, Nedbank Running Club Manager and Founder of NB Sports, is happy that the event has found itself a stable home having signed a three-year deal together with the NMBM to keep the event in Gqeberha until 2024. 

MMC Bassie Kamana, responsible for the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture, has indicated that the municipality continues to play a key role in developing local talented athletes in the region and the seeds of the Legacy Project are now bearing fruit with Melikhaya Frans’s appointment for the second consecutive year as the pacesetter for this event. 

“Boosting sports tourism is high on the city’s agenda and partnering with high profile events which achieve international participation and exposure like the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km are well suited to this goal and confirms our reputation of being the city of breaking world records,” said Kamana. 

“Nedbank have a long history in the sport, and we are grateful to have them back this year again as the title sponsor,” said Bester. “Besides the event, they also headline the Nedbank running club which besides having many of Africa’s best athletes, has a phenomenal development program which has nurtured many talents.” 

As a long-standing partner of the Nedbank running club, sporting giant Nike will be awarding lucrative Nike vouchers, valued at R120 000 to top finishes to redeem at Nike stores around the country. Nike also sponsors the athlete's official race t-shirt. 

Also returning as sponsors to this year’s event are Tsogo Sun and Eastern Cape Motor Group (ECMG). Under the Tsogo Sun umbrella, the stunning Southern Sun The Marine will once again play host to most of the athletes and event staff as the official accommodation venue for the event. ECMG has again come on board as the official race vehicle for the event. From the lead vehicles, carrying the clocks at a World record pace, to all the athletes and staff being shuttled between places, ECMG provides a full transport solution for this event. 

Hydration and nutrition are vital parts of any athlete’s regime and it’s no different for the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km. The long-standing loyal partners and co-sponsors of NB Sport Development incorporating the Nedbank Running Clubs THIRSTI Water, Future Life, Biogen and Bavaria ZA, provide much-needed products to the event in this area. 

“We are grateful for all our sponsors who make this event a huge success and we are looking forward to this year’s event which promises to deliver an exciting fast finish,” said Bester. 
The Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km will be broadcast live on SuperSport on 26 February 2023 from 05h20. 

PHOTO - Kelly Thompson, Nedbank Marketing Manager, Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank Group Marketing & Corporate Affairs,  James Moloi, ASA President