KZN High Court rules Mandela Marathon WILL go ahead as planned

IT IS all systems go for the Mandela Day Marathon. This comes after a complaint laid by athletics clubs from the Umgugundlovu district was struck off the roll at the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday.

Members of the Tholizwe Sports Clubs and the Edendale Runners Society had filed a complaint against the Umgungundlovu District Municipality, claiming that the municipality had taken over the race and was profiting from it without consulting them.

Veteran long distance runner and the head of Edendale Runners Society Sibusiso Mahlangu said the Mandela Day race had been taking place for some time and that it was unfair for the municipality to muscle out the runners.

The application to halt the race, which is scheduled to take place on August 25, was unsuccessful after the Tholizwe Sports Club failed to provide the court with membership registration documents.

Mlungisi Shangase, the club’s spokesman, said the club had been unable to do this due to the short notice.

“There was just not enough time to compile all the material because of the location of some of our members,” he said.

The race has been marred by controversy since it was announced earlier in the year with some runners complaining about the administration of the race and not being able to register properly.

Speaking about this, Mahlangu said they had been trying to speak to the municipality but had received no response.

He also indicated that runners might boycott the race.

“Right now we have to go back to the members of our clubs and consult with them about whether we want to run in the race or not,” he said.

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The Independent on Saturday
27 Jul 2013

#TrueStory @NathanMartin9 “I’m doing #MandelaMarathon for Tata Madiba!”

We “met” Nathan in Twitter.  Immediately his enthusiasm and interest in #MandelaMarathon struck a chord.  There seemed a sheer determination and an inherent passion in him, so much so that he felt he HAD to run this marathon.   I asked him if he would mind sharing his “why” with us, and he immediately agreed.   After suffering a knee injury, which he will still be nursing during the grueling marathon ahead, he has entered and started training for the 42.2km event on 25 August.

 

This is his story:

 

My name is Nathan Martin, I was born in Newcastle, Northern Natal in the year 1982.  I now reside in Durban since ’97.
In preparation to run my first Comrades Marathon 2013, I sustained an injury to my right knee and could not participate. It was really frustrating since I had qualified and entered.
Getting back onto the road and training again brought about that sense of freedom. A feeling of ecstasy, that most runners like me find difficulty in articulating what it actually is, that brings such passion to run.

The distances I generally run are more or less 15km. Growing up I was never really a long distance runner.

I started running longer distances last year. My longest is a 52km ultra marathon.

After having watched a clip on TV, informing viewers about the MDM, I decided there and then that I had to be a part of it!

 

This was huge for me.

 

Yes, it’s all about Nelson Mandela, an absolute icon, in leading the struggle against apartheid in our country. How could I not be a part of the MDM?

It will be my first MDM.

 

I’ve heard its a tough course. I will be doing the 42km run and since I’m not familiar with the route and also still recovering with my knee injury, I hope to finish in 5hrs.

I’m doing it for Tata Madiba!

 

I’m constantly in awe of people like Nathan, who so powerfully put across their message and who, despite injury, will, for the love of Madiba, attempt to run his first Mandela Day Marathon.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, and for supplying the awesome photos.   #MandelaMarathon #ROC and all officials wish you the very best for an amazing race.   May you go from strength to strength and come 25 August, be injury-free while you achieve the Triumph of the Human Spirit .

Nathan Martin, athlete..

Nathan martin, “I’m running Mandela Marathon for Tata Madiba”

Determined, enthusiastic and excited, a pleasure to know Nathan.

#KeepGoing

Woohoo! You did it!!

via 3 #TrueStory @NathanMartin9 “I’m doing #MandelaMarathon for Tata Madiba!”.

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#MandelaMarathon Video – Where it all began! #Mandela – A Hero For All

Mandela Marathon 2013 Promo Video – Where it all began! #Mandela – YouTube.

 

As described by Anant Singh in “A Hero for All” in a world hungry for heroes and positive role models, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela stands apart as one of the most admired leaders in the world, truly the man of the millennium.

As he stepped down after 5 years in office leading his country to the one he envisioned of democracy, an Africa at peace in itself, Mandela’s message is an example that resonates worldwide.    Mandela Marathon will be held on 25 August 2013 on a route befitting the struggles of the Giant of this nation, a route that has been dubbed “one of the toughest marathon road courses in the world”.

Here is a part of the history that surrounds this marathon and the inaugural running of it, and a brief introduction to the running of the 2013 marathon.

 

Please connect with Mandela Marathon and share YOUR story:

http://www.mandelamarathon.co.za
http://twitter.com/MandelaMarathon
http://www.facebook.com/mandelamarathon
http://s1316.photobucket.com/user/man…
http://paper.li/mandelamarathon/
http://pinterest.com/MandelaMarathon/

info@mandelamarathon.co.za

The Mandela Day Marathon – Media Release – Willie Mtolo to Run Again #MandelaMarathon

 

To : All media

Attention : News Editors & Journalists

Date : 26 June 2013

Website : www.mandelamarathon.co.za

The Mandela Day Marathon – Media Release

The Mandela Day Marathon to be held on August 25 is proving to be a major draw card for runners who want to be part of history. Entries are coming in thick and fast in both the marathon and 10 km events and runners are urged to enter as entries will be capped at 2500 for both events

Marathon organisers confirmed the participation of one of the world’s best known runners, Willie Mtolo from South Africa. “It is a major coup for us to have a running icon from our own country who participated in our inaugural marathon, who is now coming for the second time this year” said Sbu Khuzwayo, municipal manager of the uMgungundlovu municipality.

In what is likely to become one of the world’s most famous marathons, the Mandela Day marathon starts in Imbali in Pietermaritzburg outside the Manayi Hall (formerly known as AryaSamaj Hall) where Mandela delivered his last public speech on 25 March 1961, at the All-in-Africa conference.

The marathon ends at the famous “capture site” near Howick where Mandela was captured and taken into custody.

“As soon as I heard about this marathon I knew I had to be part of it. Madiba is my hero and this will be a very emotional marathon for me to run” said 1992 New York City Marathon winner Mtolo. He added that he considers this a “home game” as he is a resident of the city.

“One of my first jobs was as a barman in a local hotel in Pietermaritzburg. I now have a few businesses, in fact my butchery is actually on the route itself” he grinned. He jettisoned to fame in 1992 when he won the New York City Marathon shortly after the sports boycott against South Africa was lifted. His victory there was hailed as one of the finest performances of any athlete from South Africa by then mayor David Dinkins.

Mtolo has become one of the brand ambassadors of the event which will see him being part of the Marketing thrust going forward.

“We are thrilled that one of South Africa’s favourite sons has become a brand ambassador for us and has chosen to actually run the marathon come race day.”

As a previous New York City Marathon winner, Willie has huge credibility worldwide and this fits in perfectly with our international marketing plans” said the District Mayor, Cllr Yusuf Bhamjee.

The marathon starts at 07h00 hours on 25 August. For more information please go to www.mandelamarathon.co.za .

Issued by Ray de Vries on behalf of uMgungundlovu District Municipality.

For further information contact Ray on 082 8844881 or email ray

 

Craig Fry chatting to Willie Mtolo after Inaugural Mandela Marathon 2012

 

Craig Fry with Willie Mtolo and Savannah at Inaugural Mandela Day Marathon 2012

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