A high standard is expected in this year’s Durban International Marathon, following the increase in the prizes that will be awarded to the runners who will take part in the race which will be run early next month.
The Durban International Marathon, which includes the ASA Marathon Championships and the Abbot World Marathon Majors, was officially launched at the Riverside Hotel, Durban, on Thursday.
This annual 42.2km race including a 10km run, organized by the Newlands Athletics Club, will be run on May 3, in Durban.
It precedes the biggest Comrades Marathon of 87km which will be run on June 14.
The winner of the 42.2km race will walk away with R80 000, second place R45 000, third place R20 000 for men and women.
The prizes have increased from last year, from R75 000 to the first runner-up, R40 000 to the second runner-up, and R15 000 to the third runner-up.
The 10km has also been increased as the winner will receive R6 000, the second will receive R3 500, and the third will receive R2 500.
It has increased from last year from R5 000 for first place, R2 500 for second, and R1 500 for third.
Incentives have also been set aside to encourage runners to set good times and set records.
For men in the 42.2km distance, R45 000 is set for recording a time of 2:07:00, R30 000 for a time of 2:08:00, and R20 000 for a time of 2:09:00.
The same prizes have been set for women, with R45 000 for recording a time of 2:27:00, R30 000 for a time of 2:28:00, and R20 000 for a time of 2:29:00.
The men’s 42.2km record of 2:08:43 is still held by Kenyan Samuel Naibei, who set it in 2021, the year the race was established.
The women’s time of 2:29:46 is still held by Cian Oldknow of South Africa.
Last year, the men’s race was won by Felix Kiprotich from Kenya, but he was stripped of the prize due to the presence of illegal stimulants in his blood, and it was given to Godwin Katakura from Zimbabwe, who finished second in 2:11:02.
For women, Emane Hayile from Ethiopia won the race with a time of 2:31:45.