Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 55, February 2014 | Page 25
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Race Advertorial
Old Mutual Om die Dam Marathon,
Schoemansville, Hartbeespoort Dam,
North West North, 15 March
The Old Mutual Om die Dam Marathon
is the largest inland ultra-marathon
in South Africa, offering a 50km ultra
that goes around the Hartbeespoort
Dam – hence the name – as well as
a half marathon, 10km and 5km fun
run. The event attracts over 7 000
participants and offers magnificently
scenic routes, so clear your diary for
Saturday 15 March and get your entry
in today!
The Om die Dam event was first run in 1991 and has
grown into one of the finest ultra-marathons in South
Africa, offering a great family day out thanks to its
offering of four race distances. Just an hour’s drive from
Johannesburg, or around 40 minutes from Pretoria, a trip
to the Hartbeespoort Dam is always a pleasure, and the
magnificently scenic routes will have you wanting to do a
second lap when you reach the finish!
The ultra route goes out on the R104, through the tunnel,
crossing the dam wall and passing under the Arch de
Triumph, then turns left at Damdoryn, onto the R512, and
climbs the first big hill, Commando Neck. After crossing
the westerly point of the dam – a beautiful stretch with
the rising sun reflecting dramatically on the calm water
below – it’s left again, past Peaconwood Golf Estate.
Coming into Broederstroom, the R512 turns away towards
Lanseria, but the race route continues straight onto the
R104 past Pelindaba.
BEWARE SAARTJIES
Another left turn at the R511 intersection brings runners
to Saartjies Neck, the 2km monster at 36km, but the view
over the dam is well worth the climb! After Saartjies, it’s
on past Jasmyn Farm Stall and through the residential
suburbs of Meerhof, Ifafi and Melodie before reaching the
finish at Schoemansville. The half marathon and shorter
races run mainly around the suburbs of Hartbeespoort
and are generally flat, easy and fast.
It can be hot in Harties at this time of year, but the event
is renowned for its superb refreshment stations, with 19
in total on the ultra route, spaced every 3km for the first
half, and then every 2km from halfway. Besides water and
Coke at all stations, some also offer potatoes, bananas,
chocolates, jelly sweets and other ‘morale lifters.’ The
organisers know how to look after tired runners! That
attention to detail is just part of what makes this race
one of the benchmark races on the South African race
calendar. See you there!
ESSENTIAL EVENT INFO
Date: Saturday 15 March
Registration: Race numbers can be
collected at various locations from 8
to 14 March and at the start on race
day – see www.omdiedamultra.co.za for
details.
Start venue: Opposite Hartbeespoort
High School grounds, Schoemansville,
Hartbeespoort Dam.
Parking: Various areas within walking
distance from the start, at local schools
and churches, along the R104 and in
the open veld opposite the start.
Start times: 50km – 6am; 21.1km &
10km – 6:30am; 5km – 6:40am
Cut-off times: 50km – 7 hours, with
intermediate cut-off marks at 25km (3.5
hours) and 42.2km (5 hours); 21.1km –
4 hours; 10km – 3 hours; 5km – 1 hour
Accommodation: Check
www.omdiedamultra.co.za for
recommended options.
More info: www.omdiedamultra.co.za,
tel. 078 765 2167 or
[email protected]
VITAL ADVICE:
Runners should
try get to the start early, especially those who
still need to enter or collect race numbers, as
Schoemansville gets congested quickly. Arrive
early and avoid the traffic and queues!
GET YOUR ENTRIES IN!
The 50km ultra is pre-entries only, closing on 2 March,
and all entries received by 15 February will qualify for a
race T-shirt. Entries for the Half, 10km and 5km can still
be done up till race day. Online entries at
www.omdiedamultra.co.za or hand entries in at various
sports shops in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Rustenburg
(see www.omdiedamultra.co.za for the full list). Entries
will also be taken at the Om Die Dam office in Scott
Street, Hartbeespoort.
This event is being timed with the ChampionChip system
and therefore you are required to own a ChampionChip
to participate and be recorded in the race results. Your
ChampionChip code must be entered on your registration
form. N