World-renowned elite marathon runners sign up for Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

The foreign guests will be joined by South Africa’s very best in long-distance running, with athletes flying in from across the country to take part in the event. The classic 42,4km marathon, which will be the main attraction of a two-day “festival of running” in the Mother City, is this year’s chosen South African Championships installment.

“Not only do we aspire to become one of Africa’s first IAAF-classified marathon events, but this year’s race is an SA Championships event, which sees us offering the highest prize purse for a standard marathon in the country,” says Elana Meyer, Ambassador for this year’s event and Olympian medalist for long-distance running. “We’ll also be hosting a specially created category for elite marathon runners, and providing a compelling running experience that takes in the very best of iconic scenery in and around Cape Town.”

International elite entrants confirmed include:

Kenya:
* William Koitile Kibor, who won last year’s Sydney Marathon (Australia) and the 2010 Shanghai Marathon (China), as well as achieving a personal best of 2:08:32 in 2012 at Wien (Austria), an IAAF-classified Gold Label event;
* Josphat Kamzee Jepkopol, winner of the 2012 and 2013 Taipei Marathon (Taiwan), with a personal best of 2:08:44 in 2012 at the Berlin Marathon (Germany), also an IAAF-classified Gold Label event;
* Laban Kipkemoi Moiben, winner of 2012 Mumbai Marathon (India) and Ottawa Marathon (Canada) in 2011 and 2012;
* Henry Kipsigei Chirchir, winner of this year’s Hannover Marathon (Germany), and placed second in last year’s Köln Marathon (Germany);
* Wilfred Kipkosgei Murgor, winner of last year’s Melbourne Half Marathon (Australia), and placed third in this year’s Brighton Marathon (Great Britain)
* Beatrice Toroitich Jepkemboi, who came sixth in last year’s Toronto Marathon (Canada), and third in the 2012 Hamburg Marathon (Germany);

Ethiopia:
* Goitetom Haftu Tesema, winner of the 2013 Warsaw Marathon (Poland) and Guangzhou Marathon (China), the 2011 Gold Coast Marathon (Australia) and the 2010 La Rochelle Marathon (France). Her personal best is 2:26:21 at Rome (Italy) in 2011;
* Dereje Yadete Woldegiyorgis, who took third place in this year’s Stockholm Marathon (Sweden);
* Abeyo Netsanet Achamo, winner of the 2012 Mumbai Marathon (India) and Hamburg Marathon (Germany), placed fourth in the 2011 Roma Marathon (Italy), and 2013 Ottawa Marathon (Canada);

Local elite entrants confirmed include:

South African Athletes in Women’s Elite field:
* Irvette van Zyl, South African Marathon Olympian Silver Label IAAF athlete, best time of 2:31:26;
* Tanith Maxwell, South African Marathon Olympian, best time of 2:32:33;

South African Athletes in Men’s Elite field:
* Coolboy Ngamole, South African Olympian 2:12:37;

Gauteng North:
* Benedict Moeng, who came fourth in this year’s Two Oceans Half Marathon first in the SA Marathon in 2010 and 2013;
* Elias Mabane, who won the veterans’ categories in 12 races this year;
* Shadrack Hoff, who won the veterans’ category in eight races this year and set a South African record in the Jackie Mekler 25km;

Vaal Triangle:
* Norman Dlomo, who came second in the SA Half Marathon in 2007;

Transkei:
* Lungile Gongqa, who’s won various recent 10km runs and half marathons, and came second in this year’s Nelson Mandela Freedom Run 10km;
* Mluleki Nobanda, the first veteran in the Buffs Half Marathon this year, first in the Two Oceans in 2003 and second in 2004, and holder of the SA Half Marathon record for veterans;

Limpopo:
* Rufus Photo, who came fifth in this year’s Comrades Marathon and third in the Loskop 50km;
* Martinique Potgieter, who won three marathons this year (PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Exxaro Mogol and Potties) and came ninth in the Comrades Marathon;

KwaZulu-Natal
* Sandile Makhaye, who won the veterans’ category in this year’s Pietermaritzburg Marathon and came 24th in the Two Oceans Marathon;
* Ephraim Xaba, who won the veterans’ category in the PDAC 25km this year;
* Cary-Ann Smith, who won seven races this year, including the Pietermaritzburg Marathon, the Umgeni Water Marathon, the PDAC 25km and the Stella Royal 25km, and came third in last year’s Cape Town Marathon;

Western Province:
* Pumlani Nxusani, who came second in last year’s Cape Town Marathon, won this year’s Table Mountain 16km run, and was placed third in the Tygerberg 30km and Riebeekberg Marathon;
* Mthandazo Qhina, who won six races this year, including the Kloofnek Classic Half Marathon, the Don Lock 15km and the Dave Spence Memorial 10km, and came ninth in the Two Oceans and 26th in the Comrades.

President of Western Province Athletics, Jakes Jacobs says: “Western Province Athletics is a proud partner of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, we are delighted with the sponsors, partners and charities that have committed their support to the event. The inclusion of the SA Marathon Championships in this prestigious event, will contribute another dimension to the race, with the best South African Marathon elite athletes participating. WPA believes that the top South African contenders will be invigorated by the international field and will achieve the best possible times for themselves and the spectators of Cape Town.”

In closing, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing, Councillor Garreth Bloor says: “The City of Cape Town is excited about the growing global interest in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and look forward to welcoming some of the world’s top runners to our city for the event. We support the vision to transform the marathon into one of the rare World Majors, alongside renowned marathons in New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Berlin and Tokyo. The spectacular new route – passing natural and cultural attractions such as

Clifton, the Company Gardens, Parliament, the Bo-Kaap, the City Hall, the Castle of Good Hope, District 6, the V&A Waterfront and Table Bay
– will provide runners with a unique running experience. Cape Town is the ideal host for an Iconic African City Marathon.”

About Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is managed through a joint partnership between Western Province Athletics (WPA), ASEM Running and the City of Cape Town. Endorsed by Elana Meyer and Francois Pienaar, it will be held from Saturday, 20 September to Sunday, 21 September 2014. The classic 42.2km marathon is the central focus of a festival of running through Africa’s Mother City, which includes a 10km Peace Run, a 4.2km Peace Fun Run, a 22km and 11km Peace Trail Run, and 5 x 4.2km Peace Corporate, School and University Relay.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon route is competitive, yet beautiful, offering runners a unique experience that highlights the City’s natural splendour and top cultural attractions. The field is inclusive of the world’s elite athletes, club and non-club runners, wheelchair racers, casual joggers, social runners and walkers. Athletes and spectators can enjoy Cape Town’s unique festive atmosphere at safe, fun supporter zones along the route, as well as at the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon delivers a sustainable, charitable event that brings together runners and supporters to experience the exceptional spirit of one of Africa’s world-class city marathons.
The World Major Marathons is a championship-style competition for marathon runners started in 2006. It includes the annual races for the cities of Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.