Cape Agulhas Municipality Voet van Afrika Marathon
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| Date: |
03 October 2009 |
| Time: |
06h00 |
| Organisers: |
Bredasdorp Athletic Club |
| Distance: |
42.2; ; |
| Province: |
Boland |
| Start: |
Elim Road
Bredasdorp
Bredasdorp Sports Complex |
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| Enquiries: |
Contact 1: Bredasdorp A.C. Office
(W) 028-4251087
(F) 028-4251087
(Email) info@voetafrica.org.za
Contact 2: Jacques Swanepoel
(C) 072-9289777
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| Entry Details: |
This is strictly a pre-entry event and entry closes three weeks before the event. Each entrant will receive a postcard confirming their entry, which must be presented together with their ID at registration.
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| Route Description: |
Route Type: Circular
To describe this race as tough, undulating and spectacular is an understatement. The record, 02:26:39, set in 1995 by Olympic champion Josiah Thugwane, speaks for itself. It's slow, but be assured, this record is a good one. This is a cross-country run, mountain climb and marathon all in one. The first 16 kilometres of undulating gravel reveal nothing of the tortuous terrain ahead. As you turn off the gravel, you're confronted with a climb of 280 metres in four kilometres, straight up the Soetmuisberg. The mountain track is narrow, uneven and exhausting.
The relief of reaching the summit is short-lived, as it is followed by a knee-jarring descent into the town of Napier. As you head back to Bredasdorp, the 15 kilometres of tar seem never-ending, calling on all your reserves of energy and will. It is here that the race is won or lost. This, then, is the "Voet"; not a race for the faint-hearted or for PB’s. But with the spectacular views, the fynbos and the unrivalled southern Cape hospitality, it is well worth your effort. Marker boards count the kilometres to go - backwards.
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| Prizes and Give-Aways: |
| R100 goes to the King of the Mountain - the first person to reach the top of the mountain and also finish the race. The first 50 finishers win gold medals, all those who finish in less than 03:30 win silver, and those who finish in less than 05:00 get bronze medals. The first man and the first woman home wearing Asics shoes each receive R500. There are also lucky-draw prizes to be won, including two R1 000 cash prizes. |
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| Course Records: |
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Name |
Time |
Year |
| Men |
J. Tugwane |
02:26:39 |
1995 |
| Women |
K. Bradford |
03:06:33 |
1997 |
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| Editor's Notes: |
The Voet van Afrika 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 twenty best races overall. It was also voted the third best marathon.
The local publicity association holds a festival over this weekend at the Bredasdorp Sports Complex, with stalls, a beer tent, music and entertainment. It will be run for the 32nd time in 2009.
There is a four-kilometre fun run ("Toontjie") on the Friday evening before the main event. It starts at 18h00 and finishes at the Bredasdorp Sport Complex. All finishers receive a medal and a goodie bag.
Bredasdorp is only about 200 kilometres from Cape Town and is a leisurely two-hour drive. There are no losers on the "Voet". The scenic beauty is breathtaking, surpassed only by the satisfaction of finishing.
Finishers: 1100 Time Limit: 05:00 |
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