TOP ATHLETES LINED UP FOR MANDELA DAY MARATHON By popular demand, the deadline for athletes to enter the 2014 edition of the Mandela deadline has been extended to Monday, 11 August 2014. This is due to a lot of interest shown by athletes including many within the Africa and overseas. Top athletes from around the world have already registered for this month’s Mandela Day Marathon which is set to take place on Sunday 31 August. This Marathon whose growth has been exponential over the past three years is set to break another record in terms of participation. The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Nomusa Dube-Ncube has called on all athletes intending to participate to make sure they register within the extended deadline, which is Monday 11 August 2014. “We have received entries from some of the world’s finest long-distance athletes. Even our own Comrades Marathon champion, Bongani Mthembu, will be participating in this marathon. This is why we are confident that this marathon will be a huge success,” said Dube-Ncube. “This marathon will also be broadcast live on SABC which is an indication of its importance. We also expect this marathon to yield great benefits for the local economy of uMgungundlovu, as over 10 000 athletes and their families will descend on the capital city,” said Dube-Ncube. Athletes of the calibre of Willie Mtolo, who is a former winner of the renowned New York Marathon, will make this marathon a truly intriguing one as will scores of other celebrities. Elite Women Athletes registered so far Tabitha Tsatsa – Maxed Elite (Zimbabwe) Marathon Personal Best: 2:29:20 Seoul Korea 2009 Career achievements: Winner 2013 Two Oceans Marathon 49th Olympic Games Marathon 2008 Beijing 2:37:10 Has represented Zimbabwe in the Olympic Games Marathon, World Championships Marathon and numerous World Cross Country Championships “This is my first time running Mandela and I am looking forward to the race. Ive trained especially for the hills and waiting now for race day.” Samukeliso Moyo – Maxed Elite (Zimbabwe) Marathon Personal Best: 2:37:17 Pyonyang 2008 Career Achievements: Winner 2013 Cape Town Marathon Winner 2008, 2011 and 2012 City to City 50km Winner 2009 SA Marathon Championships Has represented Zimbabwe in the World Cross Country Championships, Olympic Games and World Athletics Championships “This race has been by focus in the year and im ready.” Louisa Leballo – Maxed Elite Marathon Personal Best: 2:46:52 Cape Town 2007 Career Achievements: Represented South Africa in The World Half Marathon Championships in 2000 and 2010 4th Sa 10km Championships 2011 Coming back from the birth of her child “This will be my first marathon back since the birth of my child and the training has been going well for it.” Alemtsehay Kakissa – Nedbank (Ethiopia) Marathon Personal Best: 2:37:15 Beiruit 2008 Career Achievements: 9th Two Oceans 56km 2014 4th Nongoma Zululand Ultra 56km 2014 Winner Johnson Crane Marathon 2014 DNF Comrades Marathon 2014 Alemtsehay is based in Johannesburg, South Africa and has had a heavy racing schedule this year racking up over 5 marathon wins this year already Shitaye Gemechu Debellu – Nedbank (Ethiopia) Marathon Personal Best: 2:26:10 Paris 2010 Career Achievements: Winner 2001 Amsterdam Marathon 2:28:40 7th 2001 World Championships Marathon 2:28:40 10th 2003 World Championships Marathon 2:27:26 2nd 2012 Hong Kong Marathon 2:31:44 2nd Two Oceans 56km 2014 Served a 2 year doping ban for EPO after failing a drug test in 2009 in Luxembourg Catherine Skhosana – Nedbank Marathon Personal Best: 2:48:06 George 2011 Career Achievements: Former SA 800m champion Represented South Africa on numerous occasions Moved up to the marathon in 2010 3rd Mandela Marathon 2013 3:09:38 Elite Males Brighton Chipere – Maxed Elite (Zimbabwe) Marathon Personal Best: 2:13:18 Podgorica 2009 Career achievements: 1st Mandela Marathon 2012 – 2:28:32 (Current course record holder) 1st Township to Township Marathon 2012 “My training has been going well for the Mandela Marathon and my aim is to win and break my own course record. Last year I performed badly as I started the race with an injury but this year has been smooth.” Thobani Chagwe – Maxed Elite Marathon Personal Best: Thobani is making his marathon debut in the Mandela Marathon Career Achievements: 1st Mandela Marathon 10km 2013 – 31:02 2nd Hammarsdale 21km 2014 “This is my first marathon and I am hoping to do well. Ive been in a camp in Bulwer and things are good. Im looking forward to the race day.” Mncedisi Mkhize – Maxed Elite Marathon Personal Best – 2:23:00 SA marathon Championships 2009 Career Achievements: 3rd Comrades Marathon 2007 6th Comrades Marathon 2014 6 Comrades Marathon gold medals 3rd Township to Township Marathon 2013 – 2:25:43 “This is my first Mandela Marathon and ive been training hard since my Comrades gold this year showed me im back to my best. I am ready for the hills!” N.B. MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA WISHING TO BE ACCREDITED TO COVER THE MANDELA DAY AMARATHON ARE REQUESTED TO SEND THEIR REQUESTS TO THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS: tbiyela@gmail snzmzila@gmail mbeko.amali@yahoo Issued by the Communication Unit, Ministry for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, KwaZulu-Natal. Contact Lennox Mabaso on 082 884 2403 or Mbeko Nzimande 0743129933 or Senzo Mzila 082 302 3472
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 12:57:54 +0000
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