'This is the fastest route we have ever witnessed' - Capital City Marathon to pay time bonuses for new course records

In an effort to encourage the athletes to run faster times, Capital City Marathon organisers have set aside a total amount of R24 000 in time bonuses to be split between the winning man and woman if they manage to cross the finish line faster than ever before. In men's race, the winner must dip under 2:14 to cash in on the incentive which is over and above the winner's purse of R12 000. The same is true for the winner of the women's race who wil have to run sub 2:35 in order to double her winnings.

First run in 2020, the race which is run in the KwaZulu-Natal Capital City of Pietermaritzburg, will have a revised route this year in line with organisers' ambitions of seeing fast times. The revision of the route is in line with a move around KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) that has seen more and more races offer incentives for fast times. For example, the Best of the Best Marathon which is scheduled for the 2nd of March in Durban has also set aside a R40 000 pool bonus for course record times. Race Director Mandla Ndwandwe is positive that on Sunday 23 February, people will witness fast times in Mngungundlovu, a hilly district municipality which is generally considered to have tough courses.

3-time Comrades Marathon champion Bongumusa Mthembu who hails from the town of Bulwer 90km north of Pietermaritzburg is pictured here winning the 2020 edition of the hilly Capital City Marathon in 2:20:44. Organisers have changed to route to make it faster and flatter. Photo Credit: Capital City Marathon.

"The reason we changed the route is to help athletes to walk away with the bonus money. I think those who have participated in races happening in Pietermaritzburg will agree by seeing the route that this the fastest we have ever witnessed. For much of the course, It is flat and welcoming," said Ndwandwe.

"The money is to motivate the athletes to improve their times. Plus at the same time we want to edge closer to times run worldwide. We believe with some motivation athletes will be able to launch their marathon career and go further and win big races across the country. So I'm positive that bonus money will be taken by the athletes come race day."

Social runners tested the new faster route during December. Photo Credit: Capital City Marathon.

Furthermore Ndwandwe confirmed they are close to reaching their target of 3 000 entries for all distances catered for which are 5km, 10km, 21km and main race 42km. "So far, we have received over 2 800 entries in total for the various distances. It's a good thing because we targeted 3 000. I think we will definitely be able to reach the target as we are still taking late entries. In general, I'd say that we are proud of how we have managed to grow the race in the past few years."