Star runners aplenty confirm half marathon entries
THE Phalula twins, Lebo and Lebohang, from Johannesburg, are among the big names who have confirmed their entry for Saturday's Nelson Mandela Bay City Half Marathon.
The sisters dominated the Spar Ladies race this year, with Lebo winning five races to pick up the grand prix prize and Lebohang finishing fourth overall.
They will not find the going easy as Zambian Rutendo Nyahora has also confirmed her entry. The three of them will be arriving in the city on Friday.
Ntombesintu Mfunzi will be carrying Bay hopes. She is certain to finish in the top 10 and win a share of the prize money as well as the special R5000 prize for the first Eastern Province athlete home. The second and third EP runners will pocket R2000 and R1000 respectively.
In the men's category is a string of big names including Elroy Gallant, who is now based in Pretoria, Sibusiso Nzima, Xolisa Tyali and veteran Shadrack Hoff.
Hoff, the favourite to win the prize in the veterans' category, has vowed to give the young Turks a run for their money.
"I am not just hoping for a top 10 finish," Hoff said. "I will be racing to win."
Mariano Essou is the favourite to pick up the R5000 prize for the first EP athlete home.
"With so many class athletes it won't be easy to finish in the top 10," co-organiser Mike Mbamani said. "Many will have to be satisfied with PBs."
With R350000 in prize money, the race is the richest half marathon in the country. Next year's race will incorporate the SA Half Marathon championships. Entries at sports shops in the Bay close at 5pm today. Late entries will be accepted at the Summerstrand Lifesaving Club on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
The race starts and ends at the lifesaving club in Pollok Beach and comprises two laps.
There will be total road closure from Kings Beach to the NMMU back gate from 5am to 10am on Saturday. In a deviation the 5km race will start at 6.30am to allow participants to watch the half marathon, which will start half an hour later.
Organisers have introduced the Mafuta Challenge with a R500 novelty prize by way of a lucky draw for athletes over 90kg who complete the course.
The race is a joint effort between Madiba Bay Warriors, Ikamva AC and Achilles AC.
More info from Alan Taylor on 083-658-0050 or Mike Mbambani 079-149-6796. - Mogan Segadavan
