Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

The Blue IQ City2City Ultra Marathon was launched in Johannesburg yesterday and the sponsors, organisers and Gauteng government all committed themselves to making it a success.

The race, which is also likely to attract marathoners from other African countries and abroad, will be staged on September 7.

It starts at 6am from Hennops Park in Centurion and finishes off at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown.

This ultra event, which is organised in tandem with Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), carries prize money of R1,3 million, making it Africa's richest race.

The winners in both categories will each pocket a cool R250 000 and the runners-up will be R120 000 richer.

Those who finish third will add R60 000 to their bank accounts.

All athletes who finish in the top 10 will also be rewarded handsomely.

The City2City programme also comprises a half-marathon and 21km walk and the winners in both events will receive R10 000 apiece.

Blue IQ's involvement in the race is to demonstrate its commitment to social development and contribute towards developing healthy people.

"We are also trying to build Gauteng [as the] home of champions and develop the Global City Region through this race," said Nomhle Canca, the company's chief executive.

CGA's president Snowy Matthews pledged her association's unequivocal backing of the race.

Brian Hlongwa, provincial MEC for health, said the race will promote a healthy lifestyle among the athletes and economic growth in the province.