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We at the Nelspruit Marathon Club wish you a prosperous 2014, with success in all your endeavours, whether running-related or otherwise. We also hope that 2013 fulfilled your wildest expectations, and that 2014 will exceed even that.
The Rudamans Kaapsehoop Marathon keeps on going from strength to strength, with last year being no exception. In November 2013, the race saw a record number of entrants from all over the country, making it the largest race in the Lowveld and the second largest in Mpumalanga. It was gratifying to see road running being so well supported, and the positive comments and helpful suggestions will inspire us to even greater efforts in 2014.
Furthermore, your participation not only contributed to the sustainability of Lowveld road running, but through your participation, especially those of you who travelled from far away, you also supported our lovely Lowveld. The gratitude for your participation extends to wider than merely us at the Nelspruit Marathon Club. It is hoped that you enjoyed the race since the success not only of this race, but of road running in general, depends on the continued support of people like you.
We’d like to inform you of, and cordially invite you to, to our next race,the PWC Fast 3 in 1, (42.2km, 21.1km or 10km) scheduled to take place on 1 March 2014.
Following three years of uncertainty about the route, due to circumstances outside our control, the route will in 2014 return to the original point-to-point format which it has always had. This scenic Marathon, half Marathon or 10km will follow the scenic and meandering Sabie/Lydenburg to Nelspruit road with the gradual drop in altitude allowing very fast times while occasional climbs offer challenges to serious runners.
The race has been a fixture of the Lowveld since as far back as 1981 when it was known as the Nashua 3 in 1. For the last decade it has been sponsored byPricewaterhouseCoopers (Nelspruit) and the race has been known as the PwC 3 in 1 since then.
The race starts out on the R37 road, the main provincial road between Lydenburg/Sabie and Nelspruit and meanders between rolling hills covered with dense plantations. The glorious sunrise gradually lights up deeply misted valleys and then, towards the end, with Nelspruit already in sight, the road passes through a long shady lane of African Flame trees, a sight which gives our race its name, the Flame of the Forest. It is a pleasant sight which, we have always found, inspires runners and gives that final spurt to tired legs to help them through the final kilometres.
All three races will end at Mbombela Stadium, just off the N4 highway to the West of Nelspruit (25° 27.6’ S ; 30° 55.8’ E).
The Mbombela Stadium’s shady picnic area allows participating running clubs to erect gazebos for post-race socializing, while ample secure parking, food stalls, a thirst-quenching beer tent and shower- and toilet facilities will be available for your convenience.
Bus transport will be available on the morning of the race from Mbombela Stadium to the respective starting points. You can leave your car at the Stadium, relieving you of any post-race transport woes. However, if you wish to use own transport to the starting point, late entries will be accepted there on race day. Please take note that there is no secure designated parking at any of the respective starting points, so if you use own transport, please ensure that a non-running designated driver is on hand to meet you at the stadium (and, naturally, to also support you on the way!).
It is unfortunate that 2013 has seen quite a few races being cancelled. Another victim of this trend in 2014 will be the scenic Sappi Elands Valley Marathon, a Lowveld running fixture for many years. I’m sure many of you have fond memories of this race and it will be sorely missed. It does mean that runners who had hoped to use the Sappi Elands Valley to qualify for the 2014 Comrades will have to reschedule their running programs. The PwC 3-in-1 allows a final chance to qualify for the Two Oceans, and is also a Comrades qualifier. The quick, downhill (mostly) and easy (generally) route allows good qualifying times for both the Two Oceans and the Comrades.
Please note that pre-entries for the PwC 3 in 1 close on the 21st of February 2014 and race numbers for pre-entries can only be collected at Mbombela Stadium on Friday 28 February 13:00 - 19:00, or on Saturday morning 03:00 - 05:30. T-shirts will be given to the first 100 pre-entries. Late entries are still possible at Mbombela Stadium on Friday 28 February 13:00 – 17:00 or on Saturday 1 March 03:00 – 05:30, or at the respective starting points (42.2km, 21.1km or 10km) along the route from 05:00 on race day.
We invite athletes to visit our website for more information, or to phone the race organisers:
Winnie at 082 410 0170 / 074 887 2291 or Arthur at 083 228 9534.
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