However, this years’ race has dark horses in the midst and Mokoka will have to dig deep to maintain this record. The annual BestMed TuksRace zooms off on February 15 at UP Sports Campus (LC De Villiers Sports Grounds),Pretoria.
The BTech- Sport Management student at Tshwane University of Technology, faces stiff challenge from the buoyant Gladwin Mzazi, who was the winner in the 10km Men’s Open race in 2012, and World Student Games Gold Medallist in the half marathon at the 2013 WSG in Kazan, Russia. Impressive record indeed.
In the women’s race Rutendo Nyhora (Zimbabwean), who came first in Women’s Open 10km in 2012, and third in last year’s race, takes up the challenge once again in the same category.
However, 2013 winner Irvette van Zyl who has the 2012 Spar 10km women’s under her belt will have to put a brave face and eliminate any distraction coming her way.
The Bestmed TuksRace comprises 21.1km, 10km, 5km, and 1 km open races, as well as a wheelchair race.
Off the road, BestMed will use this marathon to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Over 13 000 participants and 50 celebs are expected to grace this historical event in aid of BestMed’s long standing charity partner CANSA.
LJ van Zyl 400m hurdles champion, pole vault athlete Okkert Brits and Pieter Swart from Warrior Race, will be in attendance.
Participants can pre-enter at different sports shops in Pretoria and Johannesburg, as well as the Wannabee Campus Shop (University of Pretoria’s Hatfield Campus) or choose to enter online at www.entrytime.com or www.sa-active.co.za; or enter on 13 and 14 February at the High Performance Centre (HPC) between 17:00 and 19:00.
Final registration is on the day of the race on Saturday, 15th February from 04:30 to 05:50, but due to the traffic, participants should arrive 40 minutes earlier, according to the organisers.
With attractive prize money for winners, and exciting prizes such as holiday getaways and bicycles on offer, participants also stand a chance to win R5, 000 in prize money if, a new record is broken in the 21.1km and 10km Open Women’s and Open Men’s running categories, respectively.
Entertainment will be galore, since this will also be a family outing!
