News

Marakele National Park’s most popular sporting event, the Marakele marathon (which includes a Half Marathon, 10km and 5km), has been confirmed for 3rd March 2018. This Comrades Marathon qualifying race is proudly organised by SANParks, in partnership with SANParks Honorary Rangers and Thabazimbi marathon club, with Coca Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) as the title sponsor.

This is a unique marathon which takes place inside the park and aims to bring together both the ordinary members of the public as well as the professional running community of South Africa to have some fun and take “a run on the wild side”.

It aims to focus the public and the media’s attention on the importance of conservation and highlights various fundraising and tourism initiatives that are key to the functioning of a national park. Furthermore, the marathon provides an opportunity for runners to experience the wild alongside qualifying for the popular Comrades Marathon.

“Last year we had Coca Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) on board as a title sponsor and this pushed the marathon to a whole new level, and since we are retaining them and other sponsors who have partnered with us, we are almost certain that the 2018 race will be a huge success. We therefore urge people to register in numbers to come and participate in this race that takes place in our park”, said Mphadeni Nthangeni, Park Manager at Marakele.

Over and above the sponsorship, the marathon has reverted to its original dates which was always the beginning of March. “This is to accommodate all professional runners who would like to participate in all the major races that lead to the Comrades Marathon.”

The biggest change in the upcoming race is the new logo of the event which features the Big Five. “We thought that since Marakele is a Big 5 National Park, we should introduce medals that will be unique to the race, at the end of the 5 year period one can walk away with all the medals that have Africa’s Big 5 and that is something one can always look back on”, concluded Nthangeni. Not only are there five separate medals for the next five years but there will also be a commemorative medal awarded to all those who have completed all Big 5 events.

Participants can choose to complete one of three races; the full marathon (42.2 km), half marathon (21.1 km) or 10 km race. There is also a 5 km fun run for the whole family, which is very popular among children and casual supporters. Participants are limited to 300 runners per race except that there is no limit on the 5 km fun run. The proceeds from this marathon will go to the Honorary Rangers who will utilise the funds for conservation activities within the Park.

Those who wish to participate can register online at www.racetime.co.za or at your nearest Pick n Pay retail outlet. Alternatively, for manual entries and accommodation in the park, please contact Elise Coetzer on [email protected] or fax 086 613 0720.

Issued By

South African National Parks (SANParks) Northern Region

Media Enquiries:
Divhani Maremba
Northern Region Communications Manager
Tel: (012) 426 5304, Cell: 074 588 5789
Email: [email protected]