LIMPOPO – Representatives from Thulamela Local Municipality, Thavhani Mall, MMK Insurance Administrators, Limpopo Heritage Marathon and Bics Engineering attended the event, which was held in Thohoyandou Library’s auditorium on Friday. The Chairperson of Limpopo Heritage Marathon, Fhatuwani Mulaudzi, said that the marathon will start and end at Thavhani Mall in Thohoyandou.
People are invited to the festival, which takes place at Nandoni Dam. Mulaudzi said that a lot of the well-known marathon runners in the Vhembe region, runs without being part of an organisation who is registered with Athletics South Africa (ASA).
He said that because of this, they end up only making a little amount of money. The winner of the 21,1 km will receive R15 000, while the winner of the 10 km will win R10 000. The 5 km will be a fun run.
“We intend to bring the old and forgotten, Land of Legend Marathon back in the near future. The heritage marathon will be held annually in September. We want our veteran marathon runners and young, to receive better money so they can be able to smile all the way to the banks,” added Mulaudzi.
The coach of Thohoyandou Athletic Club, Andrew Mavhona, was over the moon to learn that marathon runners in the Vhembe region will be able to race for money, something he says was not there in the past.
“Things have changed for the better now. Athletics helps to keep our bodies healthy and we encourage people to participate,” Mavhona explained.
Thulamela Mayor, Livhuwani Maduse, said that the local municipality gives full support to the marathon.
“We are excited that the winners will receive some money, which will help in putting food on the table for their families. We will mobilise our communities to be part of this heritage marathon and fun walk, which will also help keep their bodies healthy,” said Maduse.
