Aspen PE City Marathon in Woodlands, Port Elizabeth

The Aspen Port Elizabeth City Marathon is a 42.2 km run that starts at 05h00 from the NG Kerk in Lorraine.

For those who wish to participate but would prefer to walk you are more then welcome to do so long as the course is completed within the time given, or you can take part in the 10 kilometre race that will begin at 06h00. There is also a 5km fun run which starts at 07h00.

The venue has moved to the NG Kerk next door to the Lorraine Primary School. The NG Kerk is in the quiet residential suburb of Lorraine in Port Elizabeth and is well signposted.

The marathon starts at the church at 05h00 and after 3km the runners will find themselves in the leafy suburb of Theescombe which is a residential smallholdings suburb largely given to small-scale farming and equestrian stables. Another 5 kilometres and we’re climbing up (the only major climb in the route) into Greenbushes - another smallholding suburb pretty much the same as Theescombe. Traffic volumes are low to non-existent and consequently pose no danger to the runners.

The route is marshaled at all major route turns and water points serving Coke and water are stationed every 3km. The route through these two suburbs is very scenic and quiet and the course flat with a couple of minor undulations. At the 30km mark we are back on the out route and after 36km we find ourselves back in suburbia and the last 6km wind their way back along the route we started out on.

At the finish there are refreshment stalls serving hot and cold drinks as well as a variety of food, however there is a small supermarket only 200m from the church.

This race is enjoying an increase in popularity for runners from other provinces as the fast, flat course is conducive to setting a fast qualifying time for both the Two Oceans and Comrades marathons. The fact that it is held in the Christmas school break allows out-of-town runners on holiday to use it as a qualifier as well.

Contact: Graham on +27 (0)82 825-3784 or Colin on +27 (0)82 885-5050 for more information.