Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km ready to break records

The beautiful coastal stretch of Marine Drive will be abuzz of excitement on Sunday morning as the third edition of the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km returns to the friendly city of Gqeberha.

With three world records and many world bests and national and continental records set in the previous two editions, the 2023 edition wants to continue this trend and yet another world class field has arrived in Nelson Mandela Bay. “I am very pleased with the elite field that has assembled this year,” said Race Director Nick Bester. “We have a very strong line-up with many international runners also making their ultra-marathon debuts, so we are set for a good and exciting race.”

Ensuring that the athletes stay on pace, Bester has contracted a number of pacemakers in both the men’s and women’s races whose main purpose will be to set a pace fast enough for a new world record. “In the men’s race we have 4 pacers which will be led by local start Melikhaya Frans, and they will be going off at a tempo of 3:09 – 3:10 per km which will equate to a 2:37:30.” The current ratified world record was set in last year’s race with South African Stephen Mokoka running 2:40:13.

American CJ Albertson then ran 2:38:44 but this time is still to be ratified by World Athletics.

“In the women’s race we will have two pacers consisting of Nedbank runners Stella Marais and Helalia Johannes,” said Bester. “Their task is to set a pace of 3:40 per km which will give them a projected finish of 3:03:19.” The current women’s only world record was set in the first edition of the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km by Irvette van Zyl who ran 3:04:24. In last year’s event Amelework Bosho just missed out when she crossed the line in 3:04:58.

To add to the excitement of the race, pacers are allowed to finish the race and count for the over R1 million in prize money on offer. This could provide a twist in the story, with an athlete like Johannes who is a Commonwealth Games Marathon champion more than capable of pulling it off. One just has to think back to 2021 where van Zyl was a pacemaker and after 30km decided to continue and run away with a new world record.

World Athletics technical official and internationally recognised route measurer Norrie Williamson believes that there are many records that could be set on Sunday. “There are almost 90 possible records that could be set when one considers all the different categories there are on offer,” said Williamson. “Remember that with a world record set, this alone can be a new continental world best, national record, age group best, etc.”

It is all systems go for the event which will be broadcasted live on SuperSport Variety 4 on Sunday morning. “The team has done a fantastic job at ensuring that on Sunday we give the athletes another world class event,” said Bester. “All we hope is that the weather is kind to the athletes which will allow them to contend for records.” To help with that, organisers also moved forward the start times to assist the athletes. “Compared to the previous 2 editions, we brought the start times earlier for both the men and women to beat the heat on the day.”

An event of this magnitude would not be possible without sponsors and a municipality known for hosting international sporting events with flair. Nedbank is truly delighted to be the title sponsor of the third edition of the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50 km ultramarathon. “Breaking Barriers has set a high benchmark of what the Nedbank Runified series stands for as well as participation from our elite South African runners. Breaking Barriers has provided a platform for the nation to witness world-class performances and we are proud to incentivize them for their achievements,” says Nthabiseng Matshekga, Executive Head of Group Marketing at Nedbank.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has endorsed this event organized by EP Athletics and is no stranger to hosting world-class sporting events. “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 MMC Bassie Kamana.

If the previous two editions of the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km were anything to go by, this year’s event is set for another day of record-breaking performances.