Mr Price Winelands Marathon & Half Marathon
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| Date: |
21 November 2009 |
| Time: |
05h30 |
| Organisers: |
Helderberg Harriers Atletiekklub |
| Distance: |
42.2; 21.1; 5; |
| Province: |
Western Province |
| Start: |
Markotter Sports Grounds
Stellenbosch
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| Enquiries: |
Contact 1: Hans Hugo
(H) 021-8872317
(C) 072-2908179
(Email) hugoh@arc.agric.za
Contact 2: Alan Lewis
(C) 072-9571750
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| Entry Details: |
Forms are also available from major sports shops and at races in the province. Entries close three weeks before the race.
Walkers are Welcome |
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| Route Description: |
Route Type: Circular
This is Helderberg's showpiece, run on a beautiful, undulating route through the winelands of Stellenbosch and Somerset West. The race starts next to the Markotter Sports Grounds in Stellenbosch, moves onto the Strand Road (R44) and follows the Polkadraai Road towards Kuilsriver for about five kilometres. These early stages are undulating but easy.
At the Vlottenburg turn-off lies the biggest hill of the route, a five-kilometre climb to the top of Vlaeberg, 160 metres above sea level. The following three kilometres down the Vlaeberg Road could tempt you, so be careful. Don’t run too fast down this section; rather save your legs for the hilly second half of the route. Near the 16-kilometre mark the route turns left into Vlottenburg Road and a kilometre further on turns right into Annadale Road. Here you run to the well-known "Mooiberge" farmstall near the 22-kilometre mark. This seven-kilometre stretch is flat and fairly easy.
From the farmstall, the race is run on the double-carriage Strand Road, almost to the outskirts of Somerset West. The turning point is near the 29-kilometre mark, at the Steynsrust flyover, after which you wind your way back along the same carriageway. The route once again passes the "Mooiberge" farmstall and goes past Louw se Bos, the caravan park, and onward to Stellenbosch. The hills are rolling and challenging in these final stages, and so is the incessant, oncoming traffic on the highway.
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| Prizes and Give-Aways: |
| The first 10 runners, the first five women and veteran men, the first three veteran women and master men, as well as the winning Master Lady and first Grand Master all win cash prizes. The category winners also receive gold medals.
All those who finish in less than 03:15 win silver medals. All finishers who make the cut-off time win bronze. There are also incentive prizes for men finishing in less than 02:21, for women finishing in less than 02:45, and for veterans finishing in less than 02:32.
If you complete 10 runs you get a permanent number. The "Wingerdstompietrofee" is awarded to those who have completed 15 successful Winelands. A double laurel permanent number goes to those who complete 20 runs. All finishers in the half marathon win medals. T-shirts can be ordered separately with early entries.
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| Course Records: |
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Name |
Time |
Year |
| Men |
Mluleki Nobanda |
02:18:47 |
1996 |
| Women |
I. Roche-Kelly |
02:42:27 |
1981 |
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| Editor's Notes: |
The Winelands Marathon has been consistently ranked by the Runner’s World race judges as a well organised and well presented event. Over the last four years it achieved distinction and a place in South Africa’s best loved races. It was voted the ninth best marathon. The half featured in the rankings as well and has regularly been voted as one of the top ten half marathons.
Walkers are welcome to enter the half marathon. Wheelchair athletes are welcome to take part in the marathon, but not the half marathon as there are gravel roads on the route - please consult the organisers beforehand.
This race is the oldest and second-largest marathon in the province. It will be run for the 32nd time in 2009. It is usually a qualifier for both the Two Oceans and Comrades. In 2000, the Helderberg club chairman, Johan Augustyn, and his 17-year-old son, Charl, also a member of the club, were tragically killed while placing kilometre marker boards along the route. The race is now run in their memory.
The half marathon starts at 05h45 and has a 02:30 cut-off. For accommodation details, contact the Stellenbosch Information Office: 021-8833584. This information was taken from the 2008 Guide.
Finishers: 2500 Time Limit: 05:00 |
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