Alpha Centurion Runners and Walkers, the organizers of the Wally Hayward Marathon, recently announced a drastic increase in the race’s prize money.

This event, which has become synonymous with Labour Day, will be held in Centurion on May 2 this year.

With MiWay Insurance as the title sponsor of the Wally Hayward Marathon, the organizers could announce that the 2016 edition of the MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon will now have significantly higher prize money for the male and female winners in the open category for both the half marathon as well as the full marathon.

“Running a marathon is a pretty big deal, and as such, we have increased the prize money,” said Bert van den Raad, race director.

“The 42.2km male and female winners in the open category will now win an additional R10 000 cash each and we’ve even upped the prize money for the male and female winners of the 21.1km race in the open category. These winners will now win an additional R5 000 cash,” he said.

According to Francois Jordaan, Chairman of Alpha Centurion Runners and Walkers, road running in South Africa is not a lucrative sport and this will ensure that, apart from the masses they attract every year, the top runners earn what they deserve for their long hours on the roads, mostly in the dark and early hours of the day.

The 40th MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon will take place on 2 May in honour of one of South Africa’s greatest long distance runners, the legendary Wally Hayward. Alpha Centurion Runners and Walkers have been the hosts of this event since its inception in 1977.

Van den Raad said his organising committee remain committed to host this event for the loyal participants as well as all the thousands of runners and walkers who will join them for the first time this year.

“The event has always been, and will remain to be, a race for the people and that will always be the case,” he concluded.

Five charities will benefit greatly from the race this year. They are the Pink Drive (free breast Cancer screening and education), Rainbows&Smiles (support of children with Cancer and their families), Kwaggasrand Reddingsdaad (nutritious lunches for underprivileged hungry schoolchildren), Amadea (home for abused and neglected children) and SPCA Tshwane (caring for abused, neglected and abandoned animals).

Athletes can register for the MiWay Wally Hayward marathon at: https://www.active.com/centurion-za/running/distance-running-races/miway-wally-hayward-marathon-2016

Enquiries: Bert van den Raad on 082-922-6817.