With the cooperation of local clubs and KwaZulu Natal Athletics, we have rescheduled the Maritzburg Marathon for the LAST SUNDAY IN FEBRUARY, ANNUALLY.

The 2012 'Maritzburg Marathon takes place at 5:00am on Sunday 26 February 2012.

This race has become the most popular marathon and half marathon combination in KwaZulu Natal. The race not only has generously achievable cut off times (31/2 hours for 21,1 km and 6 hours for the marathon) but caters equally for runners and walkers. Registered wheel chair athletes are welcome. This is an ideal entry level Marathon or Half Marathon.

THE MARATHON OF CHOICE

Again - More 2011 Comrades entrants used this race as their qualifier than any other race.

In our continuing efforts to improve this event, the Natal Carbineers, Orion and Verulam Athletics Clubs have, again, the Weekend Witness as a Media Partner. We have also engaged the assistance of other role players to assist us in improving sponsorships and activities. With their assistance we are growing the event to include an EXPO, PASTA DINNER and FUN RUNS along with the usual fare and upgraded entertainment.

Keep an eye on this web site and the media for the arrival of each piece of good news.

A whole weekend of running festivities.

We have also acquired assistance in the establishment of a KIDZONE for both Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February. Here, your family will be safely entertained whilst you run or enjoy the EXPO. No more excuses! No more feeling left out. No more running on your own in different races. Now both Mum and Dad can enjoy and achieve together and the kids will be there to share your day.

We are determined that this become one of the 'Major City Marathons'.

The Natal Carbineers are commemorating the 157th Anniversary of the formation of the Regiment and this event forms part of the celebrations.

This is the sixteenth running of this event. By popular demand, we are maintaining the unique double faced medal which will be given to all official finishers who complete either the marathon or half marathon inside the generous cut off times as well as beautiful T-shirts to ALL entrants. Additional T-shirts will be available for sale after the event.

This Two Oceans and Comrades qualifier (5 Hours) is a pre entry event and no late entries will be accepted after 18H00 on Wednesday 8 February 2012. Postal entries must be sent early enough to arrive in our office by this time. This will ensure that we supply sufficient cold water, Coke and Powerade for all the participants.

Race enquiries can be made on the Internet at www.pmb42.co.za, e-mail enquiries to info@pmb42.co.za or by telephoning the race office at 076 164 9554.

CHARITY

As the event has grown, we have decided that it is our social responsibility to endorse a charity. We have selected the Community Chest as they cover many areas and all the money collected is used for charity, not administration. There will be opportunities to make donations on the on line and printed entry forms as well as a collection point for non perishable foodstuffs at the event. To learn more about the Community Chest, click on the logo on the right of the page.

Between the entrants and the organisers R10000.00 was collected for the Community Chest at the 2011 event.

ENTRIES

From December, entry forms will be available in most KZN sports shops, the Comrades Marathon office or KwaZulu Natal Athletics and from the race office. Photocopied entries will be accepted.

We have also provided an ONLINE ENTRY SERVICE for your convenience. On line entries close at MIDNIGHT on Saturday 11 February 2012. Please allow approximately 48 hours from the time of entry for confirmation on this site.

ABOUT THE EVENT

This is the sixteenth staging of this race and many athletes will be running in their permanent numbers. You can also qualify for a permanent number by successfully completing the 42,2 km distance (within the 6 hour time limit) five times.

The 21,1 Km course starts and finishes at the historic Natal Carbineers Drill Hall in Pietermaritzburg. After looping through the of the old part of the city, the course crosses the Msinduzi river at the Ernie Pearce Weir.

After passing the famous schools of Maritzburg College and Girls' High, participants run through the new suburb of Bisley, past the nature reserve, Oribi Airport and back into Scottsville through the KwaZulu Natal University Campus.

A loop out into Hayfields and it's down past St John's DSG (another famous girls' school) and the Golden Horse Casino at Gold Circle Scottsville Race Course.

Across the river once again and back to the Drill Hall past Merchiston and Longmarket schools.

'This race has the potential to become one of the great city marathons.' ~ Linda Baron

The course has gentle climbs (almost flat) and good long gentle down hills. The second half of each lap affords plenty of 'make up' if you are chasing a good time or qualifier.

We are proud of the fact that we put every effort into making it possible for each and every athlete to achieve their goal. Event Medical Services provide more than adequate medical support and athletes are served by a physio station at 32 Km.

There is a rubbing station at the end and each of the seven well stocked seconding stations on the route has a limited supply of Vaseline, Deep Heat, etc.

There will be lucky draw prizes aplenty.

Entertainment will be provided and food and drink will be on sale.

'This is my favourite marathon. It's got a good course and brilliant organisation.' ~ Paul Selby

The Natal Carbineers' organisational ability is renowned. Why don't you come and see, for yourself, why Comrades greats like Willie Mtolo, Sean Meicklejohn, Grace and Eloi de Oliveira and Colin Goosen are regular participants. Paul Selby (Fit 2000) remarked that even the helpers' race was better organised than many of the marathons he had taken part in.

Nearly 4000 athletes in 2011 couldn't be wrong!

This race is highly rated by the Runners' World Race Ranking Judges and by Tom Cotterill.

Registration takes place on Friday evening, 24 February 2012 between 5pm and 8pm, Saturday, 27 February, between 9am and 5 pm or on Sunday morning prior to the start from 4am to 4.45am.

Here, the Team will give you your race number and barcode as well as a T-Shirt (all entrants).

All foreign athletes are reminded that they are to comply with IAAF Rule 4, Paragraph 2.

Pietermaritzburg may be known as the 'sleepy hollow' but come and spend the weekend at one of the many hotels or B & Bs and you could discover a wealth of history, charm and activity.

The Midlands Meander offers a scenic drive through the midlands with its wealth of craft shops.

For those wishing to include the race as part of a holiday, Pietermaritzburg is the Capital and centrally situated in the province of KwaZulu Natal (the Kingdom of the Zulu) and you will be within a copule of hours drive of fantastic beaches, glorious mountains, game parks offering the big five and the most awe inspiring battle fields of both the Anglo Zulu and Anglo Boer Wars.