With a new sponsorship and a purse of over a million rand, the Blue IQ City2City Ultra Marathon is a highlight on the athletics calendar.

AFRICA'S richest ultra marathon is back on the road after a two-year hiatus, with a new name, a new sponsorship and a substantial purse.

Now known as the Blue IQ City2City Ultra Marathon - it was previously the City2City Heritage Ultra Marathon - the race takes place on Sunday, 7 September between two of South Africa's biggest cities - Joburg and Tshwane.

The Blue IQ City2City Ultra Marathon is part of the Gauteng provincial government's programmes for Heritage Month, which is held every September. "The [marathon] is not only about running but also about people from diverse communities and lands coming together to share in the joys and tribulations involved in this endurance race," says Nomhle Canca, the chief executive officer of Blue IQ. Blue IQ Investment Holdings is a solely owned agency of the province, mandated to encourage sustainable economic growth and contribute to job creation, among other responsibilities.

The marathon is organised and sponsored by the Gauteng department of economic development, and is held under the auspices of Blue IQ Investment Holdings and Central Gauteng Athletics, a unit of Athletics South Africa.

It has two categories: a 50km ultra marathon which starts at 6am and is reserved for athletes who are 20 years and older; and a 21km half-marathon run and walk which starts at 6.15am and is open for athletes who are between the ages of 16 and 19.

Finish line: Joburg
The ultra marathon will start on Blackwood Road in Hennops Park, Centurion, and end at Mary Fitzgerald Square, on Jeppe Street in Newtown, Joburg's cultural precinct.

The 21km half-marathon run and walk starts at the Woodmead Value Mart and finishes at Mary Fitzgerald Square.

Entry fees are R74,10 for the 50km run and R51,30 for the 21km run and walk. Entries for both categories close on Monday, 25 August and no late entries will be accepted.

Entrants are urged to collect their race numbers between 9am and 7pm at the Central Gauteng Athletics north offices on 2 and 3 September at the Pilditch Stadium, in Pretoria West and at Newtown Park from 4 to 6 September.

With a total prize purse of R1,3-million, the first male and female over the finish line in the 50km race will each pocket R250 000; second and third placed will receive R120 000 and R60 000, respectively. The winners of the 21km run and walk will each take home R10 000; second and third placed will get R6 500 and R5 000 respectively.

The prize giving will be held at 9.30am on the race day, and results will be published on the Blue IQ City2City Ultra Marathon website. To enter the race, telephone the Central Gauteng Athletics Office on 011 873 2726 or visit the Blue IQ City2City Ultra Marathon website.

"Sport, if seen from the proper perspective, can be a driver to improved economic growth, better and healthier lifestyles," notes Brian Hlongwa, the acting finance and economic development MEC.

Over 5 000 athletes are expected to take part in this race, and 10 000 to 15 000 spectators are expected to line the streets of Joburg and Tshwane to cheer on the runners.

Jobs
Organisers believe that the marathon will, in the long run, contribute towards Gauteng's objective of growing the province into a competitive global city region.

"It is also about showing the connectedness of the major metropolitan areas in the province, in people, technology and infrastructure," says Canca.

The marathon will create temporary and permanent jobs, and generate revenue for both cities and the province. Hlongwa says the race will, in future, "develop into one of the central drivers of sport tourism in the province".

Blue IQ is based in Newtown, which it uses for its tourism projects. "Blue IQ's involvement ... is to demonstrate its commitment to social development, contributing towards developing healthy people and building the Gauteng Home of Champions," notes Jameel Chand, Blue IQ's head of group marketing and communications.

The president of Central Gauteng Athletics, Snowy Matthews, says that the company's involvement will benefit athletes tremendously. "Blue IQ's offering of lucrative prize money provides opportunities for our athletes to showcase their talent."

Farwa Mentoor, South African's top female finisher in the Comrades Marathon, and world marathon record holder, Josiah Thugwane, the winner of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics men's marathon have already confirmed their participation.

The race takes place on Sunday, 7 September and entry forms for the marathon are available on the Blue IQ City2City website. For more information, visit the Entry Time website or call Central Gauteng Athletics on 011 873 2726.

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