BNAC Marathon laces up for new ultra-marathon challenge
The ultra-marathon was last run in 2019 as a 50km race.
A new and exciting ultra-marathon has been added to the Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) Marathon and will give those who have always wanted to complete an ultra-distance race an opportunity to tick it off their bucket list when they hit the road on April 21.
The 48km race will be staged with the 42.2km standard marathon, the 21.1km half-marathon, as well as the 10km and 5km events.
The growth in popularity of ultra-marathons, with marathoners seeing anything beyond the 42.2km as a benchmark, often sees local runners travel far for these bucket-list events.
However, the BNAC’s reintroduction of the ultra-distance – the last run in 2019 as a 50km race – will give locals an alternative to test their endurance.
“We have reintroduced an ultra-marathon to give runners a local, convenient, and cost-effective alternative to ultra-marathon events happening in other provinces on and near the same weekend,” said the BNAC’s Kerry Webb.
Webb stated the ultra-marathon will take pressure off of those seeking to qualify for the Comrades Marathon.
To qualify for the ultimate human race, runners have to finish 42.2km in 04:49:59, averaging 06:52 minutes per km, but will save themselves 01:05 in the 48km, as they have to finish it in 05:49:59, running at 07:17 minutes per km.
“To qualify for the Comrades, runners must complete a standard marathon under 04:50. Runners can also qualify by completing an ultra-marathon distance of 48km or 50km in under 05:50. By completing a 48km race instead of a 50km race, which both have the same qualifying criteria, runners save themselves 2kms.
“Running a 48km race to qualify for the Comrades also offers athletes breathing space at an average pace. Borderline Comrades qualifiers can ‘buy’ themselves almost half a minute grace per kilometre by running a 48km qualifying race versus a standard marathon,” Webb said.
She stated they are currently seeking a new sponsor, saying, “The costs of hosting a road race, including EMPD support, health and safety, water, toilets, and medals, have almost tripled since 2019.”
One of the largest marathons in South Africa, with blogger Stuart Mann of The Running Mann fame placing it as the sixth marathon with the highest finishers in 2022 with just under 3 000 runners completing the event, Webb said the race remained a marathon of choice for many because of its picturesque route and friendliness.
“For over three decades, the BNAC Marathon has been the marathon of choice for thousands of runners who keep returning because of the fast and flat route, friendly marshals and well-stocked water tables.
“The race will start and finish at the Benoni Northerns Sports Club grounds on the corner of O’Reilly Merry and Brodigan Street, Northmead, Benoni. We will communicate more details soon,” she said.
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