Friendly City gets set for marathon

ACHILLES Club are calling all runners to support The Herald Rafi's Builders Warehouse Friendly City Marathon, which starts from the Fountain Vineyard Church field behind Builders Warehouse on Saturday.

According to Achilles Club race director Alan Taylor, the 23rd event boasts a fantastic variety of prize incentives valued at more than R40000 for keen runners, and a more accessible venue.

"We aim to appeal to all levels of runners, from the long-distance to the fun runner," Taylor said.

"The new 5km route is a safe, easy route through the scenic streets of upper Walmer Heights. The 5km route covers no main traffic crossings and is ideally designed for families, prams and pets.

"We would like to encourage schools to support the 5km as Coca Cola have sponsored a premium Packard Bell laptop for the school with the most entrants.

"Runners will be able to enjoy a family experience, with the Fountain Vineyard Church – the venue which will host the marathon's new start and finish – selling a range of refreshments, from bacon and egg rolls to pancakes, coffee, curry bunnies and boerewors rolls, and providing a fun play area for kids."

Later entries and pre-race registration will take place at Rafi's Appliances and Mattresses in Newton Park tomorrow evening from 5-7pm and the first 500 entrants at registration will receive a free T-shirt.

For those participants not in line for a podium finish, there will be plenty on offer, including superb appliance prizes from Rafi's Appliances and Mattresses, valued at more than R15000, Builders Warehouse prizes valued at R15000, and six pairs of premium running shoes from Adidas valued at R9500.

In addition, the first 500 finishers in the marathon and the first 500 in the 10km and 5km will receive medals.

Taylor said the medal ceremony and lucky draws would take place at the official prize-giving at 11am, following the marathon.

The Herald Rafi's Builders Warehouse Friendly City Marathon includes a 42.2km marathon, a 10km race and a 5km Corporate Challenge and fun run. Runners will line up for the marathon at 5am, for the 10km event at 6.30am and the 5km event at 8.30am.

The cost is R85 for the marathon, R40 for the 10km, and R25 for 5km Corporate Challenge and fun run. A temporary licence for the marathon and 10km is R25.

Marathon runners aged 65 years and over will only pay 50% of race fee.

For more info, go to and .co.za or contact Alan Taylor on 083-658-0050.