5am Sunday, 26th February, 2012.
Entries for BOTH the 21.1km Half Marathon and the 42.2km Marathon have closed.
There will be no further entries taken.
Doing the 'Maritzburg Marathon or Half Marathon?
WONDERFUL!!!
You are amongst 4000 people who, we hope, will enjoy your Maritzburg Marathon Experience!
PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION
It is all very very important to your safety and will contribute to you having a wonderful Maritzburg Marathon experience.
1. You will need to collect your race package with your race numbers, bar code (attached to the race number - do not detach! However, if you are unfortunate enough to lose it, Eileen and her team will have a solution for you at the finish) and Complimentary T shirt.
2. You will need to pin your RACE NUMBERS (Red background if you're entered the 21,km; white number if you're entered the 42,2km) on the FRONT AND BACK OF YOUR VEST. One number will have a barcode attached. This is for the FRONT of your vest.
3. If you ordered a Temporary Licence, you will receive this in your race envelope with your race numbers. This temporary licence is your receipt only and you may not use it for another event. You must keep it safely in case you are requested to produce it by an official or race referee.
4. If you are running your fifth (5th) Maritzburg Marathon, you will become eligible for your BLUE permanent number on completing the 42,2km distance this Sunday. You should find a coloured sticker on one of your numbers. Wear this number on the FRONT of your vest. After completing your race, go to the Permanent Number Gazebo near the radio mast at the end of the finish area where one of our officials will assist you.
5. There will be a tog bag facility in the West end of the big admin building at right angles to the main hall. Please make sure you allow yourself enough time to hand your kit in with the minimum of haste and stress as this will make your race and collection much more pleasant. Whilst we trust our helpers implicitly, please do not leave valuables in your bag.
6. The start is in Bulwer Street at 5am SHARP! Runners are asked to muster in Bulwer Street outside Merchiston School where Mike will entertain you until the start. Only SEEDED runners and the wheel chair athletes will be allowed to be in the East end of Bulwer Street outside Longmarket Street.
The athletes taking part in the wheel chair/hand cycle event must please be at the start line by 4:50am so that you may start at 4:55am sharp.
All elite athletes who are warming up in front of the official start between the start banner and the intersection of Bulwer and Retief Streets MUST PLEASE be back behind the start line by 4:50am for the arrival of the flame and the beginnings of the start procedures.
IN THE INTERESTS OF SAFETY, PLEASE DO NOT CROSS BOSHOFF STREET TO THE START LINE. YOU WILL BE TAKEN FORWARD MINUTES BEFORE THE START.
7. You will be started by a BOOM!!!! From the SA Navy's saluting gun. The start runs straight down Bulwer Street for a kilometre before turning left into Echo Road and wiggling through the islands into East Street. Half a kilometre and you'll turn left into Jabu Ndlovu (Loop) Street. This is a two and a half kilometre straight and passes the first table at the Protea Imperial Hotel. This table will distribute WATER ONLY on the first lap. Please be aware that the verges of Bulwer and Echo/East Streets are not tarred and are uneven. It will be dark at 5am so please be careful.
8. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE run or walk on the RIGHT hand side of the road unless specifically directed otherwise. If you are directed to the LEFT then PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go there and stay on that side until directed otherwise, again.
9. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT COSS the road anywhere but at an intersection unless specifically directed to do so.
10. Please please please be courteous to the marshals, traffic officers and table helpers. They are only there to make sure that everyone has the greatest Maritzburg Marathon experience. Remember that they are all out there from about 4am and will only stand down when the route is closed at 11am. They do this for love not money. If the table is lacking in your favourite want at that particular moment, don't shout at the helper, come and see me after the race.
11. Our official Race Photographic partners are Action Photo. If you wish your photograph to be taken en route and at the finish, please fold over or remove the red chevron at the top of your FRONT number. Please note that, because of the privacy act, your photographs will NOT be posted to you automatically. Our data base will be forwarded to Action Photo for the sole purpose of notifying you by e-mail or SMS of your photographs and you will be able to view and purchase these photographs on the ACTION PHOTO web site at www.actionphoto.net. ActionPhoto will only identify you by your RACE NUMBER so please remember it when ordering or look it up in the results on the web site after the race.
Registration:
Registration will take place in the Main Hall at the Carbineers' Historic Headquarters in Pietermaritzburg. Registration will be open from 5pm till 8pm Friday 24th February, 9am till 5pm on Saturday 25th February and on Sunday morning from 4am till 4.45am. It is recommended that you collect your race number, bar code and T shirt from registration on Friday or Saturday rather than Sunday if at all possible. This will give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the route to and from the event and the layout of the grounds during daylight. If you come on Saturday, you will also be able to give yourself calmer preparation on Sunday morning.
When you walk into the big hall, look for the letter with which your surname begins and ask the ladies at that station to look for your package for you. They will need to identify you and may ask for ID number and/or licence number and/or club.
If you entered on line or paid by direct deposit, it is advisable to bring your deposit slip or the e-mail that confirmed receipt of your entry (MM0...)
Please tell all your friends that missed the closing date for entries that there will be
NO LATE ENTRIES.
We are doing our best for the 4000 of you that made the deadline and we want you all to achieve and have a great and enjoyable run or walk and achieve your goal, whatever it may be.
How to get there?
From Durban:
Take the glide off to Alan Paton Avenue (formerly Durban Road) and travel down past the University, Kentucky and the Shell (on your left) then Sasol (on your right) service stations. This is about two and a half kilometres after passing through the first traffic light after leaving the N3.
OR
Take the second exit to the city to New England Road. As you leave the N3, keep left and continue along New England Road through the traffic lights at Ridge Road and then King Edward Avenue (the Golden Horse Hotel and Casino is on your right).
Approximately 400 metres after the traffic lights (one kilometre after leaving the N3) take the left fork and proceed to the traffic lights at the intersection of Woodhouse Road and Alan Paton Avenue. Turn right and pass the Shell (on your left) then Sasol (on your right) service stations.
You can then take one of the following options, dependant on how early you arrive....
1. Cross the Msunduzi River and take the first turn right into Payne Street about 50 metres after the bridge. Drive about 500 metres along Payne Street and you will have the option.
Please do not park in Payne Street or in the grounds of Medi Clinic Hospital. These are tow away zones and your car will be removed.
2. Before crossing the river, turn left into Park Drive and pass the Municipal Swimming Baths on your left and the river will be to your right. Being careful of the "traffic calming" (speed bumps) travel about 450 metres to turn right into Prince Charles Drive. About 200 metres down Prince Charles Drive, you will find parking under the plane trees (do not park on the football fields) and a short walk of about 200 metres across the suspension bridge, across Chief Albert Luthuli Street (formerly Commercial Road) and into Geere Street between the Exel (on your right) service station and the historic grave yard. About 70 metres down Geere Street, the gates of the Drill Hall grounds, the finish and registration will be on your right. Walk along Geere Street and you will find your way to the start in Bulwer Street. Geere Street will be closed to traffic on Saturday and Sunday.
3. After crossing the Msunduzi River, travel about 400 metres along Chief Albert Luthuli Street (formerly Commercial Road) and turn left into Kershaw Park next to the tennis courts. Parking is very limited as there will be a demarcated no parking area which is for the exclusive use of the monthly "craft market". From here you walk across Chief Albert Luthuli Street and into Geere Street.
From Mooi River (Johannesburg):
Take the Peter Brown (formerly Duncan MacKenzie) off ramp and then turn right across the N3. After about 500 metres you enter a roundabout and take the second exit ("in at 6 out at 12"). Wind down the hill for 3 kilometres and pass the Royal Show Grounds on your left. Over the hump back Railway Bridge and straight along Chief Albert Luthuli Street (formerly Commercial Road). After one kilometre, pass the City Hall on your left and then a further kilometre down the road take one of the following two options.
1. Take the last turn left into Payne Street about 50 metres before the Msunduzi river bridge. Drive about 500 metres along Payne Street and you will have the option of turning right into the grounds of Merchiston School or continuing and turning left into Geere Street and then left again into the parking in the grounds of the Carbineers Drill Hall.
Please do not park in Payne Street or in the grounds of Medi Clinic Hospital. These are tow away zones and your car will be removed.
2. Cross the river and take the first turn right into Park Drive and pass the Municipal Swimming Baths on your left and the river will be to your right. Being careful of the "traffic calming"” (speed bumps) travel about 450 metres to turn right into Prince Charles Drive. About 200 metres down Prince Charles Drive, you will find parking under the plane trees (do not park on the football fields) and a short walk of about 200 metres across the suspension bridge, across Chief Albert Luthuli Street (formerly Commercial Road) and into Geere Street between the Exel (on your right) service station and the historic grave yard. About 70 metres down Geere Street, the gates of the Drill Hall grounds, the finish and registration will be on your right. Walk along Geere Street and you will find your way to the start in Bulwer Street. Geere Street will be closed to traffic on Saturday and Sunday.
Please note that Chief Albert Luthuli Street will be a NO PARKING zone between the river and Jabu Ndlovu Street (formerly Loop Street). This will be an active TOW AWAY ZONE.
Below is a schematic layout depicting the start and finish area.
Please note the road closures that will be in place prior to the start.
PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE HOSPITAL PARKING AND PLEASE DO NOT PARK SO AS TO INCONVENIENCE ANY OF THE RESIDENTS.
ARRIVE EARLY ENOUGH SO AS NOT TO STRESS YOURSELF NOR ANY OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY WHO MUST ALSO BE ALLOWED TO GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS SAFELY.
Kidzone:
We have brought back Kidzone for your convenience and your kids' safety and fun. Professional care and secure supervision will be available from 9am till 5pm on Saturday and from 4am till noon on Sunday. You sign your kids in and YOU sign them out. See the KIDZONE link at the top of this page for more information. The cost per child is R20 per day payable to the access controller at Kidzone.
Fun Runs/Walks
To add value to the event we have been partnered by the local chapter of Verulam Athletic Club and are staging a series of fun runs/walks for the WHOLE FAMILY. All the distances are based on 42 and 21. Starting with a one (2.1km) or two (4.2km) lap fun run at 2 pm followed by 420 metres, 210 metres, 42 metre toddler trot and then a 21 metre nappy crawl all the events are priced at an affordable R20 and entries can be purchased from 9am onwards on Saturday, at the registration or KidZone. Each finisher will receive a medal depicting an animal and Kara Nichha's Vegetarian Fast Foods have small gift packs to hand out as well. Clover will provide a refreshment for each finisher. Great fun for the whole family and value for money.
Accommodation and Pasta dinner:
Our hospitality partner, Protea Imperial Hotel in Jabu Ndlovu (Loop) Street are offering the following...
Pasta dinner on Saturday evening at only R90 per head.
Runners special accommodation at only R770 per room per night
The lady to contact if you want to take up their incredible and affordable hospitality is...
Kim Waddell - Marketing Plan Coordinator
Protea Hotel - Imperial
They are located at
224 Jabu Ndlovu Street Pietermaritzburg, 3201
And can be contacted in any of the following ways but don't delay. You don't want to be disappointed!
Tel: +27 (0)33 342 6551 | Direct fax: +27 (0)86 545 1643 | Fax: +27 (0)33 342 9796 | GPS S 25° 17' 22.3" E 31° 03' 18.1"
email: marketing@imperialhotel.co.za | Mobile: +27 (0)795573224
http://www.proteahotels.com/imperial
Club tents:
Please would all club captains make every effort to get their club tents erected on Saturday by 5pm. If you really really really have to get your club tent here on Sunday morning then come early and be prepared to walk and carry.
The Drill Hall grounds are licenced and we ask that you do not bring any alcohol onto the premises as this could jeopardise the licence and the future of the event.
We have caterers who will be providing everything from pancakes to bacon and egg rolls and some great stuff in between. Please support them.
