Athletics SA reschedule national marathon for athletes to qualify for World Champs

ASA will kick off its calendar with the national marathon championships on Sunday in Cape Town, incorporating the event into the Cape Peninsula Marathon.

The 2024 ASA Marathon Championships, hosted by KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, were incorporated into the Durban International Marathon, where Elroy Gelant and Cian Oldknow claimed victory in the men’s and women’s races, respectively, in April.

However, both champions have confirmed to the national broadcaster that they will not be defending their titles on Sunday due to scheduling conflicts.

National marathon record holder Glenrose Xaba has also informed SABC Sport that she will not compete, as she is still recovering from her record-breaking run at the Cape Town Marathon in October.

“ASA has decided to move the marathon to February to give athletes a better chance to qualify for the World Championships earlier, allowing them more time to rest and focus on other competitions. ASA’s road running chairperson, Enoch Skosana, and the organizers believe that starting the marathon earlier in the year will make things easier for the athletes,” Moloi explained to SABC Sport.

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The World Championships will be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21, with qualifying times set at 2:06:30 for the men’s marathon and 2:23:30 for the women’s event—standards that Moloi believes are within reach.

“This gives athletes an opportunity to qualify early because the marathon is no easy feat. They can secure their spots, recover, and prepare for international competition. Our goal is to have three men and three women on the team for the World Championships later this year. Moving early shows our respect for the runners,” said Moloi.

Moloi explained that Athletics South Africa (ASA) partnered with the Cape Peninsula Marathon this year due to its favourable course and the need for a stable hosting arrangement.

"We chose the Cape Peninsula Marathon because of its route. I know the course well, and many runners find it challenging to qualify and achieve fast times on inland routes. Cities like Durban, Gqeberha, and Cape Town are better suited for fast performances,” he explained.

“The Cape Peninsula course is flat and ideal for qualification, and after discussions, they agreed to assist us. Our goal is to keep the marathon in one location for three years, as moving it annually is not practical.

“A three-year hosting period allows better planning and gives the host province more time to seek financial support from local municipalities. Organizing a marathon within a single term is a logistical challenge."