The main sponsors of the fourth annual Mall of the North Marathon cannot wait to be part of one of Limpopo’s biggest road races scheduled for 30 March this year.
Polokwane Observer, media sponsor, spoke to some of the main sponsors who see the event not only as a massive get-together for athletes of all aged and various skilled level, but as the perfect opportunity to showcase their brand.
“We are super excited to be associated with the marathon for the first time this year. It is the ideal opportunity for us to showcase a new brand in the local property market,” BB Haval Polokwane Sales Manager Dirk Markgraaff said.
He added that Mall of the North Marathon lures thousands of athletes and spectators. “We know that people have busy schedules and the marathon would create a key point for us to exhibit our vehicles where people would be assisted by our professional sales consultants and be able to go for test drives,” Markgraaf said.
Since the first marathon four years ago, Talisman Polokwane has been part of the event. Branch Manager Hannes Janse van Vuuren expressed his gratitude and excitement to once again be associated with the event.
“The Mall of the North Marathon is one of the races that shows an annual increase in participants and therefore we can once again look forward to joining hands with organisers in presenting yet another successful race,” he said.
The Mall of the North Marathon will once again be presented in conjunction with Polokwane Athletic Club and Chairperson of the club, Pieter Pretorius indicated that the support during the Mall of the North Marathon is exceptional.
“There is a water point every 2,5 km and businesses manning these points provide phenomenal support to runners. The in-and-out route which is closed for traffic makes it one of the safest races in the province and athletes can run without any worries about traffic,” Pretorius said.
He added that the race is hosted during perfect time of the year as climates are cooler and athletes are fitter as they had been running several races since the beginning of the year. “It is also a well-known race which sees an increase in entries annually. We hope to continue with this trend and invite especially beginners to come and participate in the 5 km fun run,” he concluded.
Online entries for the race is already open and athletes can register on www.entrytime.com while manual entries can be done at the mall’s help desk from 11:00 to 18:00 daily from 22 to 29 March.
Opportunity for late comers will also be given on the day of the race from 04:00 to 5:50 as the first race is set to start at 06:00.
Mall of the North Marathon will not only offer a 42,2 km but also a 21,1 km, 10 km and 5 km. The entry fees are R240, R180. R80 and R40 respectively. A temporary licence is available at R30.
For those who enter online in the 42,2 km and 21,1 km a complimentary dry-fit T-shirt will be included. For runners in the 10 km and 5 km who enter online can purchase the T-shirt at an additional R120.
Story: RC Myburgh
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