The PostNet Weekend Witness Maritzburg Marathon for 2010 is now a “done deal”. This has to be our race committee’s best ever effort. I am supported by an amazing organising committee and two clubs, Carbineers and Orion, who work tirelessly for the good of this event.

Whilst we’ve always billed this race as a “no frills” race where we put everything into getting you through the course as quickly, safely and comfortably as possible, some things have changed. Our focus is still the race and the route. However, we’ve recognised the need to embellish the event.

This year saw a few new innovations. We registered the race with the Association of Marathons and Distance Running (AIMS) and are now exposed amongst major marathons all over the world. This is showing in the increasing number of foreign runners taking part. Some because they are coincidently here on business but, this year, at least four who travelled to South Africa and, specifically, Pietermaritzburg just to take part in this race.

We introduced a charity. The official charity for the 2010 PostNet Weekend Witness Maritzburg Marathon was the Pietermaritzburg Community Chest. We are very happy to announce that you, the entrants, donated over R11000 to this very worthy cause and the money will be handed over at an appropriate time and place in the near future. Thank you to all those who gave.

The introduction of an expo, fun runs and kidzone have also added huge value. Bridgemonkey Brand Engineers, a local marketing company, have partnered us and we hope that they will, along with our current sponsors, PostNet, and media partners, Weekend Witness, continue to grow this side of the whole concept of the February Festival of Running. We were joined by the local chapter of Verulam Athletic Club who marshalled the fun run program.

We were faced with many challenges this year. My committee and partners never allowed one of these challenges to deter them. They simply rose above the problems and, kept heading on. One must remember, everyone of these members does this voluntarily and without remuneration of any sort. In fact, if the truth be told, it costs every one of them in time lost at work and cash out laid on the various bits and pieces. R50 here and R100 there soon mounts up. All organisers will be aware of this.

I do not want to single out any committee member as every single one made huge sacrifices. The sudden surge in entries from 2700 last year to almost 4700 this year meant that a number of our committee actually took leave from their day jobs to make this race happen. Amongst the sponsors and partners we must sing the praises of a few although, there too, everyone is as important as the next. PostNet remain our main sponsor and have carried this event since its second year. They continue to be stalwarts and we hope they remain with us for many years to come. The Weekend Witness have been invaluable in their support as main media partner. They have advised, provided expertise and funding. They never once wavered from their committed role and from designing and printing of race fliers to the carrying of Coach Norrie’s training programs.

Our web hosts, Webcoza, medal producers, 1000km Promotions, water suppliers, T shirt producers, ABI who provide Coke, table conveners and many others were asked to change orders and tack every few days over the two weeks leading to the race as the numbers swelled. Not one let us down.

One aspect of the race which benefited all the runners was Honeydew Dairies willingness to provide the support of six, YES SIX!, refrigeration vehicles which meant that even the very last of our entrants received cold products straight from the fridge until the very end.

Thank you to all the caterers, child minders, toilet attendants, car guards, traffic officers, sponsors, partners.... the list is endless.

Thank you all for entering and taking part in this race. We hope you all enjoyed the experience and achieved your goals. Almost 2500 of you qualified for Comrades and or Two Oceans and we wish you successful runs on those days. Your accolades are many and many have written, sms’d and phoned to thank and congratulate us. The words of the President of KwaZulu Natal Athletics and member of Athletics South Africa’s Interim Board, Mr Alec Skhosana, said, whilst offering his congratulations at a meeting on Tuesday, “This is surely the best organised race I have ever seen”.

To the City of Pietermaritzburg and the Province of KwaZulu Natal, we offer a City Marathon that we believe you can be proud of and we look forward to your serious participation in this growing event in the future.

We, the organising committee assure you all, that the accolades are not our goal. Our goal remains giving every last competitor an equal opportunity to take part, achieve and, above all, enjoy the sport which we love. For you, we will continue in our efforts to keep raising the bar.

We look forward to each and every one of you coming back, next year, and bringing friends along too.

Watch for the date, probably the Last Sunday in February 2011.

Yours in service and sport,