VANDERBIJLPARK.- It is that time of the year when the athletes get ready to prepare for the 5th Edition of the Vaal River City Marathon which is scheduled to take place at Isak Steyl Stadium in Vanderbijlpark on 3 September.
For the past four years, the Vaal River City Marathon has been one of the biggest sporting activities to take place in Sedibeng with Rand Water and Seriti as the main partners for this event. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Dr Molefi Oliphant who is the founder of the event said that every year the race attracts mass participation from all walks of life.
The Vaal River City Marathon is also held in conjunction with Arcelor Mittal Athletics Club (host athletics club) in accordance with the rules of Athletics South Africa and Athletics Vaal Triangle. Giving the background of the Vaal River City Marathon, Oliphant said the idea to start this initiative came with his son Sechaba Oliphant who happened to be a top athlete during his days at Vaal River High School. Dr Oliphant, who is the former SAFA President said his son and four other students including former Jomo Cosmos speedy midfielder Lucky Mhlathi were the school’s top runners.
“This event was initiated by Sechaba because he was one of the top athletes at school level. We are running the event from the family budget with the likes of Rand Water and Seriti as our main partners for the Vaal River City Marathon. Since we started in 2016 we have been attracting a large number of participants and we are looking forward to marking the 5th Anniversary Vaal River City Marathon on 3 September,” said Oliphant who at one stage also served in the SASCOC committee.
The race is divided into the following categories: 5km Fun Run, 10km, 21.1 km with 42.2km (senior men, women, juniors boys and girls, veteran men and women).
