Wally Hayward Marathon hits the road again

For the first time, batch starts will be used for the 10km, 21.1km and 42.2km races. This will be the seventh consecutive year that MiWay supports the race as title sponsor.

“We are excited to get runners back on the streets and to bring back the fun and ‘gees’ that everyone has missed over the last two years. While the hybrid event we hosted last year was popular, we know that road runners enjoy the pulse of the city, the buzz of fellow runners at the starting line, and of course, the egging on from supporters on the sidelines,” said Nthabiseng Moloi, executive head people and brand at MiWay.

The Comrades Marathon Association has agreed to allow mat-to-mat times to be used to qualify for the marathon itself. Timing chips will be provided to competitors in their race numbers, free, and both mat-to-mat, as well as gun-to-mat times, will be recorded.

“We’re really pleased about this, given Wally Hayward’s long association with the Comrades. Runners can look forward to batch starts and mat-to-mat timing, which will be undertaken by finish time,” said Francois Jordaan, race director at Alpha Centurion Athletics Club.

This year’s event will support the following organisations, Amadea Safe Houses for Children, Rainbows and Smiles, PinkDrive for cancer, and SPCA Tshwane and WETNOSE for animals.

Competitors can donate directly when they register online and the organisers will also donate a portion of the race’s proceeds to these charities. Over the past 20 years, over R2m has been donated to charity through this event.

Runners can catch the Gautrain to Centurion, with the starting point just a short walk from the station.

Enter the Wally Hayward Marathon online.

All times will be posted at www.finishtime.co.za once the event is concluded.