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Former president Nelson Mandela’s name has been used to promote everything from products and art to music, charities and sports- related events.
His love for boxing, a sport that he took up as a young man, is legendary – as is his singling out of sport as the catalyst for nation-building. The 1995 rugby World Cup, from which the Springboks emerged the victors, is a classic example of the statesman’s knack for breaking down barriers, and became an integral part of the phenomenon commonly referred to as “Madiba magic”.
Accordingly, this year sees the fifth Mandela Day Marathon take place on a historic course that starts at Manaye Hall in KwaZulu-Natal’s Imbali township, and ends at the site where Mandela was captured in Howick on August 5 1962, leading to his 27 years of incarceration.
Manaye Hall, which falls under Msunduzi Municipality, was where Mandela made his last speech as a free man on March 26 1961. The race’s end point, in Howick, falls under Umngeni Municipality.
Along the route, there will be 15 refreshment stations, each named after struggle stalwarts, such as Harry Gwala, Alan Paton, Chief Mhlabunzima Maphumulo and Archie Gumede
To mark 100 days before the event, set to take place on August 28, the municipality took a media contingent, along with a host of dignitaries, through the historic route.
Umgungundlovu’s municipal manager, Sibusiso Khuzwayo, told the guests: “The primary aim of the tour is to articulate the organisers’ state of readiness, given the fact that the marathon is only 100 days away.
“The secondary aim is to show and tell that this is not just a marathon; it is the Mandela Day Marathon.”
The theme for this year’s race is inspired by one of Madiba’s famous quotes: “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
The race will be the culmination of a two-day event that starts on Saturday, August 27, and incorporates trail-running over 4km, 8km and 16km; mountain biking; and then 10km, 21km and 42km races on the Sunday.
Athletes can register on the website mandelamarathon.co.za. Entries close on July 31. Physical registrations will be conducted in Durban on August 25 and in Pietermaritzburg on August 26 and 27.
