The entries are now officially closed for the SA Marathon Championships that will be held in George on Sunday 5 February 2012. Most of South Africa’s top marathon runners has entered. This race will be the last qualifying opportunity in South Africa for the Olympic Games later this year. The A Standard qualifying time for women is Sub 2:37 and for men is Sub 2h15.
The top South African entries received are as follows:
Women
· Tanith Maxwell (Open) – KZNA – 2:30.00
· Charne Bosman (Open) – AGN – 2:44.44
· Ntombesintu Mfunzi (Open) – EPA – 2:49.38
· Gladys Lukhwareni (Open) – AGN – 2:49.42
· Maya Lawrie (40 – 49 yrs) – KZNA – 2:50.09
Men
· Charles Vilakazi (50 – 59 yrs) – CGA – 2:08.59
· Coolboy Ngamole (Open) – ACNW – 2:10.47
· Othaniel Phahlane (Open) – AGN – 2:14.58
· David Ngakane (Open) – ANCW – 2:15.31
· Gert Thys (40 – 49 yrs) – WPA – 2:15.56
TOP ASWD Athletes:
Women
· Annatjie Botes (50 – 59 yrs) – 3:10.48 (SA Champs 2011 – MEDAL WINNER)
· Alison Jordaan (40 – 49 yrs) – 3:12.28
· Lisl Grobler (Open) – 3:12.36
· Johanna Claassen (40 – 49 yrs) – 3:24.52
Men
· Lindile Tokota (40 – 49 yrs) – 2:27.46
· Vuyo Witbooi (Open) – 2:36.14
· Zandisile Ngeva (Open) – 2:37.48
· Paulus Allart (40 – 49 yrs) – 2:45.20
The marathon will start at 05:30 in York Street. The runners will run in the direction of Pacaltsdorp to complete the 3 x 14km lap route. This year the finish has been moved to the sport grounds of the PW Botha College. York Street (from the robot at York / Union Street to the Circle at the old Crocodile Farm) will be closed from 04:30 to 10:00 on Sunday morning. We kindly ask for the public’s patients and co-operation in this regard. Some roads in the Bos-en-Dal and Pacaltsdorp Area will also be affected, but with the assistance of the George – and Provincial Traffic Departments the traffic will be efficiently controlled.
Various departments of the George Municipality has also come on board to ensure that smooth running of all municipal logistics. Once again the George Disaster Management team, Traffic Department (George and Provincial), South African Police Service (George and Pacaltsdorp), Netcare 911 and Uniegma Medical Services will be in charge of the safety, well being and security of the event.
The Athletics SWD team are busy with their last training sessions this week and we want to wish them all the best when running the championships.
