Local Athletes For Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50Km Ultramarathon

The 3rd edition of the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km is set to take place on 26 February along the scenic beachfront of Gqeberha and with the event attracting some of the world’s best athletes, local athletes will be looking to shine in a race which will be broadcast live through SuperSport on the day.

“I am thrilled that our Nedbank Breaking Barriers 50km after only two years is now ranked by World Athletics as an elite label event and and an International Ultrarunners Association gold label event, the stamp of approvals only given to the leading Ultra marathon events in the World,” said an elated race director Nick Bester.

Nick Bester, Nedbank Running Club National Manager and Founder of NB Sports, with the support of the NMBM, is happy that the event has found itself a stable home having signed a three-year deal together with the NMBM to keep the event in Gqeberha until 2024.

MMC Bassie Kamana, responsible for the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture, has indicated that the Municipality continues to play a key role in developing local talented athletes in the region and the seeds of the Legacy Project are now bearing fruit with Melikhaya Frans’s appointment for the second consecutive year as the pacesetter for this event.

“Boosting sports tourism is high on the city’s agenda and partnering with high profile events which achieve international participation and exposure like the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km are well suited to this goal and confirms our reputation of being the city of breaking world records,” said Kamana.

Mike Mbambani, EPA’s sponsor liaison manager, cannot wait to host another successful race in Nelson Mandela Bay.

“Our local athletes are ready to perform, Melikaya Frans will be pacing, there is serious competition out there, and our local athletes are in great shape.

“All hands are on deck in terms of the preparation and planning for next weekend.

“Hosting another successful race under the auspices of EPA boosts our chances of securing more partners and events like the Nedbank Runified 50km in Nelson Mandela Bay,” added Mbambani.

The Eastern Cape has unearthed many exceptional running talents in the past and a few Nelson Mandela Bay based athletes will be looking to make a name for themselves and achieve a world best in their age category.

Desmond Zibi, from the Ikhamva athletics club who is coached by Mbambani, will be aiming at finishing with a world best in his over 55 age category. “I am healthy, fit and injury free, so if I play my cards right the world age record might go”, said 59 year old Zibi. Team-mate, Mzwanele Maphekula, 46, who finished the NMB 1 City Marathon in December last year in 2.36.19, and is also coached by Mike, will be joining the local charge.

The local favourite, Melikhaya Frans, will once again be the official pacemaker in the event tasked at running world record pace through to 35km.

“My training has been going well, and I am ready for next week, to pace the guys as I am meant to do,” said Frans.

Last year the 10 km loop on Marine drive proved to be a fast stretch of road as Mokoka in the colours of Boxer running club crossed the finish line at 02:40:13 to become a world record title holder in what was his ultramarathon debut.

Luyanda Tshangana, from Ikhamva running club and training partner of Frans, is in great shape and the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km may just be the event that elevates Tshangana to the next level.

“I feel good and my training is going well. I am looking forward to running a PB this year, 2.52 or around 2.50,” said a confident Luyanda.

Another strong local athlete who will be competing is Xolisa Ndlumbini, fondly called X-factor in running circles. Xolisa will be competing in his third Nedbank Runified 50km. He finished well in 2021 in a time of 2.59 and is hoping to improve on this time weather permitting.

“My full training focus has been on preparing for the Nedbank 50km, I am pushing to finish in the top ten South African athletes which will put me in a good position for the ASA selection of the World Champ 50km team.

“I train with the St George’s Squad with three athletes, Khaya Gwetha, Bathandwa Mooi and Xolani Nteyi, we are all running for Vukani Multisport Club and looking forward to a great race competing within a strong local group this year,” added Ndlumbini.

In the women’s race, Nedbank running club’s Kelly van Vliet will be the one to watch with a top 10 finish expected. Van Vliet finished 7 th overall and was the 4 th South African woman to finish in a time of 3.30 last year in what was her ultra-debut.

“For this year’s event I have put in the work with some long training runs and my goal is to finish strong while taking in the amazing atmosphere of running with the world’s top ultramarathon runners.

“To be running a race of this status in my hometown is very exciting and I want to keep our EPA and Nedbank flag flying high among the best athletes, added Van Vliet.”