The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation hereby announce that registrations for the 2nd Free State OR Tambo Marathon have been extended until Sunday, 08 October 2017 and are still open online. The marathon will be hosted in collaboration with the Free State Sport Confederation, Free State Athletics, Mangaung Athletics and Pamoja Athletics Club. Only online entries will be accepted for ease of registration and time keeping. The Free State OR Tambo marathon will be hosted at the heart of South Africa in the historic city of Mangaung.
Named after one of South Africa’s architects of freedom and democracy, Oliver Reginald Tambo, it is expected that this marathon will draw a large number of athletes locally and internationally to compete for lucrative prizes that are up for crabs. The objective of the Free State OR Tambo marathon is to enhance and promote social cohesion, promote nation building and national identity, and encourage healthy life style.
Participants will compete in three categories, namely:
- 42.2 KM marathon,
- 21.1 KM half-marathon, and
- 10 KM race.
The Free State OR Tambo marathon will take place on Sunday 15 October 2017 and will start and finish at the Mangaung Athletics Stadium. The prize money for the Free State OR Tambo 42.2 KM marathon ranges from R1 000 to R80 000. Both first position male and female winners will each bag the R80 000 prize money, while the rest of the top ten winners take home prizes ranging from R8 000 to R60 000.
For the 21.1 KM half-marathon, the first position winner will bag the R30 000 prize money, while the rest of the top ten winners take home prizes ranging from R1 000 to R20 000. The 10 KM race first position winner bags the R15 000 prize money and other top five winners take home prizes ranging from R3 000 to R12 000.
In addition to the above three main race categories there will also be sub-categories which are age-dependent in which athletes can participate.
This year will also see the introduction of further cash incentives for:
1) First Free State registered athletes, both male and female, to finish each race.
2) First male athlete to finish the 42,2km marathon in under 2hours 10 minutes.
3) First female athlete to finish the 42,2km marathon in 2 hours 30 minutes.
The Free State O.R Tambo Marathon is also the first South African Marathon that has a Competition Manual that will assist with any registration enquiries an athlete or potential athlete may have, ranging from the route to license requirements. The Competition Manual is also available online. All registrations and further details can be accessed on www.fsortambomarathon.co.za.
“The Free State O.R. Tambo Marathon was conceptualized to celebrate the spirit of Comrade Oliver Reginald Manyane Tambo in appreciation and recognition of the sacrifice and contribution made by this gallant in our country’s struggle for freedom. Comrade Tambo had a vision of a free, fair and equal society, and we celebrate him through this marathon. What makes this year’s marathon even more noteworthy is the fact that 2017 was declared “The year of OR Tambo” as we celebrate the centenary of the birth of this liberation stalwart. It is also significant that we are hosting this marathon in October, the birthday month of O.R Tambo.” said MEC Mathabo Leeto.
Enquiries:
Tankiso Zola
Director: Communication and IT
Cell: 082 940 2392
Tel: 051 – 410 4742/4786/4735
E-mail: tankiso@sacr.fs.gov.za
