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THE Comrades Marathon may be done and dusted, but runners and amateur runners still have an opportunity to run in what is arguably dubbed the fastest half marathon in South Africa with the Supa Mama Savages 21km Challenge in Durban on Sunday, 13 July. There is also a more relaxed 10km challenge for walkers and joggers.

The race begins at 7am on a scenic course which starts outside the Cyril Geoghegan Cycle Stadium on the corner of NMR Avenue and Smiso Nkwanyana (Goble Road) and links the beachfront with a second lap for those doing the half marathon.

“This, combined with the almost idyllic running weather, has resulted in numerous personal bests and has attracted many of South Africa’s top athletes including Lusapho April and Tanith Maxwell, prior to their departure for the London Olympics,” said Supa Mama Savages coach, Norrie Williamson.

Although setting a personal best over the 10km or 21km distance is reward enough, the Supa Mama Savages Challenge is also an useful return to racing for Comrades runners and an ideal stepping stone to a best or top qualifier in a September or end of year marathon. This is the ideal time to set the foundation for a top class qualifying time for the old Mutual Two Oceans and Comrades which will celebrate its 90th running in 2015.

The event, which this year will be electronically timed for the first time, is pre-entry only with the closing date on Sunday 6 July (visit www.eventiming.co.za), and a 6 day late entry period which ends on registration day, Saturday 12 July at the cycle stadium.

The cost of entry is R90 for the half marathon and R60 for the 10km which caters both for runners and walkers and remains on the fast flat beachfront loop. The first 1500 pre-entries will receive T-shirts, while late entries will each attract an additional fee of R20.

Both the male and female half marathon winners will earn R1500, and prize money goes down to fifth place. There are awards for the top three places in each age category and also the three leading men and women in the 10km race.

Runners have several opportunities to win in lucky draws with the leading prize a R1200 voucher for Saucony shoes from Durban Runner.

As part of their sponsorship Supa Mama, South Africa's first and only local provider of drawstring refuse bags, has a competition which runners complete on registration day with three R500 Spar grocery vouchers up for grabs. Completed forms for the two-question quiz will be collected on Saturday 12 July and the draw made after prize giving (10am) on race day.