We are behind all 635 #nedbankrunningclub runners this year! From the #greendreamteam athletes who collect all the golds up front to the athletes who are looking to finish in under 12 hours, you’re all part of the team that paints the roads green on 8 June! #MoreThanAClub

#biogen_sa #futurelifeza #nike #nikerunning #thirstiwater #nikevision 

COMRADES MARATHON 2025 DRUMMOND HALFWAY SUPPORT POINT & FINISH MARQUEE INFORMATION FOR ALL NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB ATHLETES.

Exciting news for all our Club Members that is running Comrades Marathon 2025, we will have a general support point after your half way THIRSTI WATER POINT at Drummond this year.  We will have Nedbank Running Club support members in their Nedbank Running Club tops under a THIRSTI gazebo to assist you to collect your zip lock bag that you handed in on Saturday.

Drop off of your clearly marked zip lock bag (NO TOGBAGS OR BIG BAGS WILL BE ACCEPTED) on Saturday 07 June between 9am and 12H00 at the THIRSTI Sport stand at the Comrades EXPO, there will be no one after 12H00 to accept anything. 

Please note that you need to put your ie drinks/gels/eats/Shoes in a clearly marked ZIP LOCK BAG ONLY with your Name & Surname written on it or on a paper inside the bag for us to accept it.  You will need to come to our THIRSTI gazebo AT Drummond after the THIRSTI Water point to get your marked zip lock bag as we will not be able to hand you your bag to you due to the number of athletes on the road. 

We do not take any responsibility for any zip lock bags that is not collected at the point as these items will be discarded afterwards.

Link to Drummond half way point https://maps.app.goo.gl/AL8dvJSg5yMJQMEJ9?g_st=am

And now more good news! The Nedbank RC Hospitality marque.

Join us at our Nedbank Running Club marquee at Peoples Park Comrades finish, we will be the first marquee just before the finish line on the left as you come in.  See below Tier 1 marked in pink as marked on the Comrades finish area map . Once you have finished your race, make your way to our marquee for a well-deserved massage, food and drinks as well as products from our loyal sponsors Biogen, Futurelife & Thirsti Water.  You will receive vouchers to get your food and drinks as well.  Family members are welcome but please note that they can only join you in the marquee are once you finished your race and come to the marquee as we have limited space available for everyone and cannot allow anyone inside until the athletes arrive.

To show our loyalty to our sponsors Nedbank and Nike we ask you to wear the approved Nedbank/ NIKE Green Vest/Crop top/T-Shirt as well as shorts ,tights etc.

Black shorts or tights is not Nedbank Running Club approved gear and not registered at ASA as our Club kit!

Comrades season is here and with less than two weeks to go, let’s not forget about a vital part of what a difference the Comrades Marathon makes - it’s charities!

There is a prize for the club that raises the most money and as of now, Nedbank is running second. We need your heart and your help to not only get us into first place and keep us there, but also make a massive difference to the six charities.

All you need to do is visit https://charity.comrades.com/comrades-marathon-2025, look for any Nedbank Running Club athlete racing for charity and make a donation to anyone of their race4charity campaigns.

Let us all do our part and make sure that not only the race podium, but the charity podium is also painted Nedbank green

Nedbank Running Club athletes that Qualified for the Elite field at Comrades Marathon

Comrades Marathon Announces Athletes’ Seeding for Safer 2025 Start

With just under three weeks to go before the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon, on Sunday 8 June, The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has completed the process of allocating runners to start groups and seeding batches. Based on their qualifying times, runners have been divided into one of the two starts – Group 1, with Batches A to J, which will start at 5:45am, and Group 2, with Batches K to S, which will start 15 minutes later at 6:00am. There will be approximately 12,500 runners in Group 1, and approximately 10,000 runners in Group 2, while each batch will have around 1500 runners.

Athletes who have qualified to run the 2025 race can now check their seeding for the start of the race by going to the Comrades website, and searching for their names in the entry list at https://comrades.com/race-info/2025-entry-list.

With 24,163 entries received and well over 22,000 qualifying runners expected on the start line, this will be the largest ever Comrades Down Run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. (The largest previous Down Run was in 2018, with 19,047 starters.) To ensure manageable movement and enhanced safety at the start venue, as well as in the opening kilometres of the race when light conditions will be lower, the CMA decided earlier this year to split the 2025 Start into two groups.

Runners’ seedings have been determined by ranking each qualifying participant from fastest to slowest qualifiers, and then dividing the runners into the two start groups based on the following times:

• Group 1: Runners who have qualified under four hours (4:00) in a standard 42.2km marathon (or the equivalent over a greater distance).
• Group 2: Runners with qualification times exceeding four hours 30 minutes (4:30) in a standard marathon (or the equivalent over a greater distance). There will be approximately 10,000 runners in this start group.

Those runners with a qualifying time from four hours (4:00) to four hours 30 minutes (4:30) for a standard marathon (or the equivalent over a longer distance) have been divided between the two groups, based on improving safety and flow of runners throughout the start and through to Tumble Inn, around the 12km mark.

As is tradition at the Comrades, there are selected groups who are seeded to begin in specially allocated batches in one of the two Start Groups:

• Group 1, Batch A: Elite Athletes & Contenders: Those competing for awards, including gold medallists, age group contenders and nominated elite team members, will lead the race out of Pietermaritzburg.
• Group 2, Batch K: Louis Massyn’s Group: In honour of Comrades stalwart Louis Massyn aiming to earn an unprecedented 50th Comrades finisher’s medal, he and a small group of running friends will start at the front of the Group 2.
• Group 2, Batch L: Green Numbers, Yellow Numbers & Charity Runners: This second batch of Group 2 is for those runners with 10 or more Comrades medals (Green Numbers), those going for their 10th finish (Yellow Numbers) and those running as part of the CMA’s Race4Charity initiative (except for Green, Yellow or charity runners whose qualifying times allow them to line up in Group 1).

The race numbers allocated to each runner are to be worn front and back, will be coloured according to their start group – purple for Group 1 and orange for Group 2 – and will have the start batch letter in front of the number. Runners should note that there will be no Batches I or O, as these letters are not being used to avoid any possible confusion between letters and numerals. Runners will only be allowed to line up in their allocated start group and batch, or a batch further back within their allocated start group, if they so choose – for example, if two clubmates or a couple would like to run together. However, moving up to a higher group or batch will not be allowed.

Runners will only be allowed to move back from Group 1 to Group 2 if they request in writing to info@comrades.com that they would like to move, specifying which Group 2 batch they would like to move to. No Group 1 runners may join Batch K, and only Green Number, Yellow Number and Race4Charity runners from Group 1 may apply to join Batch L. All other applicants asking to move must select a batch from M to S. Due to safety considerations, limits will be applied to the size of each batch. The deadline for submission of these written requests is 17h00 (SA time) on Monday 26 May 2025, and a successful application will cost the runner R200, to be paid at Registration.

Understanding the Seeding

Comrades Marathon General Manager Alain Dalais says that the seeding allocations may seem surprising to some athletes, given that the batches run down to the letter S, whereas previous editions of the Comrades Marathon only went to Batch H. “Runners should not be alarmed if they receive a much lower seeding letter than previous years, for example an R seeding instead of an H seeding. This is simply due to improving safety by reducing the numbers of runners per batch, and increasing the number of batches,” he says.

“Runners should keep in mind that the two-start system will allow even the lowest-seeded runners at the back of Start Group 2 to cross the start line sooner than in previous years. By comparison, with a single start for over 22,000 runners, it would take around 18 minutes for the last runners to clear the start line, but this year’s two-start system will save you time at the start. All runners will still have 12 hours to complete the race, whichever start group you are in.”

A last word from Dalais is that “This is a trial year for Comrades, using a staggered start for the first time, and our principal focus is on the safety of all runners, decreasing congestion on the road and giving runners as much open road as possible, to run safely and comfortably, and enhancing their race-day experience. We wish everyone a safe and carefree run, and hope you achieve your individual objectives on the day.”

Reminder to All Runners

Seedings will be posted on the Comrades website in the entry list at https://comrades.com/race-info/2025-entry-list. Runners are invited to visit the website and use the search function at the top right to find their names and check their seeding. In the event of any queries, runners can send an email to info@comrades.com. “The CMA would also like to request club secretaries or team managers to assist those runners who do not have access to the website, in finding their seeding and sending any enquiries to the CMA office,” adds Dalais.

For more information, runners are invited to read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) blog about Seeding and Starts at https://comrades.com/blog.

SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane 2025 Launches with #Twenty20Thrive Theme, Charity Focus, and a Hyundai Up for Grabs!

TSHWANE, South Africa (23 May 2025) – The iconic SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane is thrilled to announce the official launch of its 2025 edition, set to bring communities together on Saturday, 2 August 2025, at SuperSport Park, Centurion, starting at 14h00. This year, the beloved race embraces the empowering theme, #Twenty20Thrive, encouraging women across all walks of life to embrace their journey of growth and well-being.

Building on decades of success, the SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane continues its commitment to making a tangible difference in the community. The launch will be marked by a significant R60,000 charity donation to various organisations dedicated to women's empowerment, ending period poverty, and combatting Gender-Based Violence – causes that align perfectly with the race's core objectives.

"For 28 years, the SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane has been more than just a race; it's a movement that champions women, fosters community spirit, and inspires holistic well-being," says Ralph Rajagopaul, Divisional Marketing Director – SPAR North Rand & Botswana. 

"Our continued involvement stems from a deep-rooted belief in the power of women and the profound impact a united community can have. This year, with our #Twenty20Thrive theme, we aim to encourage every participant to embrace their journey towards empowerment and health, and we are incredibly proud to kick off by supporting vital causes in the Tshwane community."

The 2025 edition promises an exciting race day experience. Participants will receive a new and improved moisture-management t-shirt, their entry, and the exclusive My Tshwane Challenge Magazine, packed with inspiring content on ambassadors, the #Twenty20Thrive theme, and numerous prizes to be won. And adding to the excitement, one lucky participant on race day will drive away in a brand-new Hyundai Exter!

Entries are now officially open and are limited to 17,000 participants, so prospective runners and walkers are encouraged to secure their spot quickly.

Entry details are as follows:

• 5km Entry: R180
• 10km Entry (with valid ASA license): R180
• 10km Entry (requiring temporary ASA license): R250

Participants can enter conveniently online at sparwomenschallenge.co.za/tshwane, through the SPAR2U App, or by visiting selected SPAR stores (a full list is available on the website - https://sparwomenschallenge.co.za/tshwane-list-of-stores/ ).

The launch of this year's challenge will be a city-wide celebration, with various radio stations hosting outside broadcasts, showcasing the long-standing support of race ambassadors and the invaluable partnership with the City of Tshwane.

The SPAR Grand Prix will again be a highlight of the Tshwane event, adding an elite sporting dimension. All eyes will be on local favourite Glenrose Xaba, the current Grand Prix champion, who continues to train and thrive under the expert coaching and mentorship of Caster and Violet Semenya.

Don't miss out on being part of this inspiring event! Get your entries now and join the #Twenty20Thrive movement.

Event Details:

• Event: SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane 2025
• Date: Saturday, 2 August 2025
• Time: 14h00
• Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion