Om Die Dam Entries Close Sunday

Runners can enter online at www.omdiedam.co.za or pick up entry forms at leading sports stores in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Entries can be hand-delivered to Runaway Sports and Running Inn in Pretoria, to the Sweat Shop and The Edge in Witwatersrand, Sportsman’s Warehouse stores in Atterbury, Fourways, Southgate, East Rand, Centurion and Woodmead, and to the race office in Schoemansville.

One of the highlights on the annual sports calendar, the race looks to be wide open with many of the countries top runners choosing to rather focus on the Old Mutual Two Oceans marathon. According to event organiser, Hannes Barendze, “With the Easter weekend being much earlier this year, there is only one week between Om die Dam and Two Oceans and many of the top athletes have chosen the latter as their goal for the year.”

He added that they were expecting a large field in the 20km as many of the runners doing Two Oceans will use the shorter distance as their final run before heading for Cape Town.

Runners are reminded that the event starts and finishes at a new venue this year – the Hartbeespoort High School in Schoemansville. The race committee had to source another venue to host the event as a result of all the developments taking place in the area and particularly around the previous venue.

The Hartbeespoort High School offers race participants ample parking and will help with the flow of traffic, which has presented a problem in past years. The roads in and around the school will be totally closed to ensure a safer environment in which to hold a road running event and enable the traffic officials to have more control over proceedings.

Participants will not receive their race numbers in the post and must collect their numbers at registration at the Hartbeespoort High School on Friday 14 March or on race day. Entries for the 20km and the fun run will be taken at registration and on race day.

Chamberlain’s timekeeping system will be used to record the times for both the ultra and the half marathon, so participants need not have a chip. Although the ultra cut-off time is seven hours, runners wanting to use this race as a Comrades qualifier, have to finish within six hours.

The ultra, which starts at 06h00, takes runners around the Hartbeespoort Dam in Madibeng. The route provides runners with some spectacular views over the water and the sluice gates are opened especially for the participants as they cross the bridge. Walkers are welcome to take part and are eligible for prize money but they must be able to complete the ultra event within the seven-hour cut-off.

The 20km starts at 06h15 and walkers are encouraged to enter this event where a cut-off time of four hours applies. Those who do not finish the 20km within the cut-off time can finish at their leisure but will not receive an official finishing time.

This event is always well supported by both runners and spectators and race organisers are excited about the new start and finish at the school as it is enhances the race and makes for a better race experience for participants. Apart from the running events, participants and spectators can enjoy the craft market, beer garden and various food stalls.