After two successful editions, the third edition of the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km ultramarathon will be held in Gqeberha, on Sunday, 26 February 2023. The exclusive race will once again welcome top-tier elite runners and renowned industry names, making it one of the greatest running line-ups that South African running has ever seen.
"Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers have organized high level elite event over their first 2 editions. It looks like they will have another top event next year hoping to lower that 50km WR."
Nadeem Khan, IAU President.
The Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers ultramarathon has been awarded IAU Gold Label from International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) as well as Elite label status from World Athletics (WA) for 2023. This is not only the second year in a row for the event to achieve such an honour from World Athletics but it is also the first ever ultramarathon to receive a WA Elite label status.
“By virtue of this prestigious status, the event is now recognized by WA and the IAU as one of the leading ultramarathon events in the world. For a race to achieve this accolade after only two years is testament to the hard work and support from the entire race office team, volunteers and our amazing sponsors” said Nick Bester, Race Director and Managing Director of Nick B Sport.
Current Comrades marathon champion and Nedbank Running Club elite athlete, Tete Dijana, who also finished 2nd in this year’s Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km Ultra Marathon, has confirmed his participation as well as the 2021 Comrades marathon Champion, Edward Mothibe, who finished 3rd in this year’s Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km Ultra Marathon. The winner and runner up in this year’s Soweto Marathon, Ethiopia team-mates Daba Ifa Debele Gadisa and Bekele Gutama will also be on the start line.
Current Comrades runner up, Dominika Stelmach, will be heading up the women`s field with 2022 Swedish Marathon Champion, Hanna Lindholm, who boasts a best marathon time of 2h28 minutes and finished 24th at this year’s World Marathon championships in a time of 2h32.
The ultramarathon will be limited to a field of 300 entries only. Elite runners and competitive age group athletes who wish to compete in the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km ultramarathon, need to submit their CV to nbsport@lantic.net and nickb@lantic.net before 16 January 2023. Qualifying athletes will receive an invite and voucher to enter online at easyreg.co.za website.
The Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km race is an official Comrades qualifying race.
Race Office Queries phone: 012-5410577.
The full press release is provided in the link above.
Jacek Bedkowski
IAU Director of Communication
