2018 Marakele marathon set to be the biggest yet

Thabazimbi – Marakele National Park’s most popular sporting event, the Marakele marathon (which includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km), has been confirmed for 3 March 2018. 

This Comrades Marathon qualifying race is proudly organised by SANParks, in partnership with SANParks honorary rangers and the 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.

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,” says Mphadeni Nthangeni, park manager at Marakele.

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 entire family, which is very popular among children and casual supporters. 

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.