CDM 4-in-1 Marathon a highlight for athletes

Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) Executive Mayor, John Mpe is confident that more than 5 000 athletes will take part in the CDM 4-in-1 Marathon that will be hosted at the Polokwane Rugby Fields on 17 February.
Speaking at the media launch of the event at a venue in the city last Wednesday, Mpe said that Premier Stan Mathabatha, all the MECs, local mayors and senior officials of provincial government departments and leading institutions were invited and that he trusted that they will honour the invitation. Comrades Marathon ambassadors Ludwick Mamabolo and Rufus Photo also attended the launch to show their support and confirmed that they will attend the event.Mpe said that the event has grown every year. “Last year we had prizes amounting to R50 000 for the winners in the different categories and this year it will be R150 000. Cash prizes include R15 000 for position 1 in the 42,2 km race for both the male and female categories, R7 500 for the 21,1 km and R5 000 for the 10 km,” Mpe announced and added that special awards will be made to disabled athletes for the first time this year.
Mpe confirmed that the marathon is a qualifier for the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons and thanked Polokwane Athletic Club for their partnership and for believing in CDM from the beginning when the marathon was just a concept. “Today it is a mega project that grows in leaps and bounds,” Mpe said.
According to Mpe, the event can only be made possible by the support of the public and athletes and in particular the generosity of sponsors. “We are extremely grateful for the sponsorships received and the donation of our major sponsor, Lepelle Northern Water of
R250 000 is highly appreciated,” Mpe said and urged athletes to register well in advance to prevent a rush on the day of the event.
“We aim to once again attract runners and visitors from across the district, the rest of the country, and beyond. In 2017 we had participants from other African states who descended here to not only be in the race, but also to appreciate and experience Capricorn District as a liveable, safe and peaceful region and to enjoy our diversity, identity and heritage. As you know, the aim of this marathon is to enhance and promote social cohesion, promote nation-building, our regional identity and to encourage a healthy lifestyle,” Mpe concluded.

Story and photos: BARRY VILJOEN
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