The first runners of 2019 Mandela Marathon have made it across the finish line between Pietermaritzburg and Howick. The aim of the marathon is to pay tribute former President Nelson Mandela.
Over 20 000 runners are participating in this year’s race.
MEC for KZN Education, Kwazi Mshengu participated in this year’s Mandela Day Marathon where he blitzed through 10 KMs only to be beaten by the Premier of the Province @sziks @KZNPremier @MshenguKwazi @DBE_KZN @kzngov @DBE_SA @ElijahMhlanga @Thobeka_Rare @GCIS_KZN @HigherEduGovZA pic.twitter.com/sF0bInHt9O
— KZN Education (@DBE_KZN) August 25, 2019
Initiated in 2012, the marathon consists of 42 kilometre, 21 kilometre and 10 kilometre races.
The marathon kicked off from Manayi Hall at Imbali township where Mandela made his last public speech on March the 25th 1961.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has just completed the 10 kilometre race.
“I finished at least within 1 hour 4 minutes. It’s always good to run and it is part of ensuring that we encourage healthy lifestyle, but for us as government in KwaZulu-Natal Mandela Marathon has grown to become what it is. We started it 8 years ago – it is now big whenever we open the registration within few weeks you find that we have reached the target … we want to thank the people of Africa for supporting us.”
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Mr Sihle Zikalala @sziks welcomes 42km female winner of #MandelaDayMarathon together with @kzncogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka and @ArtsKZN MEC Ms Mavimbela @kzngov pic.twitter.com/hVNb5Lc7CH
— KZN Provincial Gov (@kzngov) August 25, 2019
Inkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela and some of his family members are also participating in this year’s race.
