CDM 4-in-1 Marathon anticipated to attract over 3 000 athletes

Road runner Maropeng ‘Rocky” Mojela, driver of Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) Executive Mayor John Mpe’s, was announced as the new ambassador for CDM 4-in-1 Marathon during the official launch of the challenge at Legacy Polokwane BMW Dealership last Wednesday.
Rocky joins local professional runners Ludwick Mamabolo and Rufus Photo as the ambassadors of the Marathon. It was learnt that Maropeng is also recognised by the Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans organisers as the official ‘bus driver’ which simply means, he leads a group of athletes who are not competing for prizes but targeting to finish on time. It was further announced that he would be the face of CDM 4-in-1 Marathon going forward.
The marathon, , scheduled to take place at the Polokwane Rugby Fields on 16 February at 06:00, offers a 5 km fun run, 10 km race,
21,1 km half marathon and 42,2 km marathon. It is a qualifier for both the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon. The challenge carries cash prizes totalling R150 000, sport wear vouchers, and T-shirts for the first 1 000 entries.
Mpe said with registrations extended until the day of the marathon, more than 3 000 international and national athletes are expected to participate. These include acclaimed runners and former winners from elsewhere on the continent he stated. If athletes do not belong to any athletics club and do not have permanent running licences, temporary licences can be purchased at R30 each for all the distances.
“Entries are now open and participants can register online by visiting www.bouttime.co.za. Regardless of who crosses the finish line first, this race is an inspiration and we look forward to all athletes showing the spirit of determination to give it their all. We therefore invite members of the public from Capricorn and beyond to register early and also spectators to come and cheer for our athletes. We commend Polokwane Athletic Club for working with us in this venture and Legacy Polokwane BMW for the partnership,” Mpe explained.
He further announced that this was their final year with Polokwane Athletic Club who have been managing CDM 4-in-1 race in line with the signed Service Level Agreement from 2017.
CDM will be issuing a tender inviting clubs to bid and the winner will take over from next year for 3 years, he outlined. Mpe encouraged Mamabolo and Photo to identify other runners who can be trained to compete in Comrades Marathon, adding that the municipality’s offer remains that athletes coming from the district competing at the Comrades Marathon and bring back gold medal shall be rewarded.
He indicated that the municipality would provide transport to athletes who will participate at the Comrades and reiterated that the CDM 4-in-1 Marathon ambassadors would get all expenses paid trips to both the Comrades and Two Oceans.
Athletes who are unable to register online can visit CDM offices, 41 Biccard Street on week days from 09:00 to until 15:00, Polokwane Athletic Club at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on 15 February from 17:00 until 19:00 or register on the day of the race at Polokwane Rugby Fields from 04:30 until 05:45.

Story and photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za