Iconic Sani Stagger sets challenge for all runners
The race will often form an important part of runners’ preparations for the Comrades Marathon.
THE 2018 Sani Stagger Marathon, one of the most iconic races on the calendar takes place on Saturday, 24 November.
The popularity of the event has snowballed to the point that both the full marathon and the half marathon sold out in record time. What sets the Sani Stagger apart is the fact that the race takes place on a gravel road to the top of Sani Pass and back to the Premier Resort Sani Pass hotel. The race often forms an important part of runners’ preparations for the Comrades Marathon.
With the altitude being a factor, many runners use the race as part of a training regime leading up to the Comrades Marathon. This coupled with the tough conditions means that the Sani Stagger medal is prized.
Excitingly, this year’s race will see the return of the first and second placed runners from 2017. Nkosinathi Duma, who won last year’s race by just over 20 seconds will be back to defend his crown. He will have his work cut out for him when he takes on defending Comrades Marathon champion Bongmusa Mthembu.
In the ladies race, defending champion Natasha Malan’s name is down on the entry list again. She dominated the 2017 edition winning the ladies crown by 15 minutes over Adelien du Toit, whose name isn’t on the entry list for 2018.
Defending 21km half marathon champion Derek Wasserfall will be on the start line once again and Martin Ngwenya, who finished third in 2017, will be out to try and break Wasserfall’s strangle hold on the half marathon title.
The absence of the top two ladies from 2017 on the entry list leaves the ladies half marathon title up for grabs. .
New to the 2018 Sani Stagger calendar is the Stagger Trail. With trail running growing in popularity there is the option of a 38km or a 21km trail run.
Both runs are based around the Premier Resort Sani Pass and take in some of the most exciting trail in the Southern Drakensberg.
Visit: www.sanistagger.co.za.
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