Athletics: National Celebrations half-marathon Runners of all ages invited to run |07 June 2019

Runners of all ages are being invited to take part in the National Celebrations half-marathon

With the aim of encouraging our nation to keep a healthy lifestyle, the National Day Celebrations Committee is organising a half-marathon as part of the programmed activities for this year’s celebrations.

The event will take place on a flat course and will be held Monday June 17, starting at 5.30pm at Stad Popiler.

From the starting point, the athletes will run towards Roche Caïman up to the main gate of the National Sports Council (NSC), and then head back to Victoria via Bois de Rose Avenue, before heading up north via Anse Etoile, up to the ex-Rehabilitation Centre at North East Point. From there, they will head back to town via the same route to finish line at Stad Popiler where the race started.

Other than the 10km and half-marathon, there will a 5km fun run which will be competitive only for children under 12 years old and adults over 50 years old.

The 5km race will be open for other individuals out of the participating age range, but they can take part for fun only, while the main focus will be on the half-marathon and 10km so as to prepare athletes for the 2020 Eco-Friendly marathon.

To encourage and motivate more people to take up the half marathon, five (5) age groups are being offered.

The organisers are urging participants to register early as they are setting up a limit for registration since they only have 1,350 vests which will be given to the half-marathon runners first.

Those doing the 10km and 5km may get their vest in advance only if they put a deposit of R100 which will be refunded at the end of the race.

Registration forms are available from race organiser Giovanna Rousseau at Oceangate House. Deadline for registration is Wednesday June 12, or when the first 1,350 participants have registered. Whichever is first!

The race is sponsored by Vijay Construction, SeyPearl, Sacos, GICC, Sodepak, Seychelles Athletics Federation, Seychelles Trading Company, National Sports Council, Creative Industries and National Events Agency (Cinea) and Seychelles Eco-friendly Marathon.

The half-marathon will be for the following age groups:

• Junior – Under 20 years
• Senior – 20 – 34 years
• Master 1 – 35 – 44 years
• Master 2 –45– 54 years
• Master 3 – 55+ years

Registration Fee: R100

Prizes: 1st – R2,000, 2nd – R1,000, 3rd – R500

Trophies for overall top three (all age groups combined)

10km

• Under 12 years
• Under 16 years
• Under 20 years
• Senior – 20-34 years
• Master 1 – 35-49 years
• Master 2 – 50 -64 years
• Master 3 – 65+ years

Registration Fee: R75 and R50 for Under 12 & Under 16

Prizes: 1st – R1,000, 2nd – R500, 3rd – R300

Trophies for overall top three (All age groups combined)

5km

• Under 8 years
• Under 12 years
• Master 2 – 50 – 64 years
• Master 3 – 65+ years

Registration Fee: R25

Prizes: 1st – R500, 2nd – R300, 3rd – R200

R. D.