Inkamana AC launch new Comrades and Two Oceans qualifier Otty Nxumalo Marathon in Vryheid, KZN with R16 000 prize purse

KwaZulu-Natal Province consists of 11 districts, with most running events taking place in the eThekwini Metro. In Zululand, there are only two road running events: the Ulundi Striders Half-Marathon and more recently, the Otty Nxumalo Marathon. The Otty Nxumalo Marathon, scheduled for October 4 in Vryheid, takes pride in being the only Zululand event that offers the standard marathon distance, enabling runners to qualify for the Totalsports Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons. The organizing club, Inkamana Athletics Club, chose to name it after the well-known Zulu author Otty Nxumalo, a highly influential figure in the area. Inkamana Chairperson Thami Sukazi emphasizes the importance of putting their hometown on the map.

"We love our district so much, and the shortage of races was a concern for us. Introducing the marathon distance and naming it after Otty Nxumalo, who has contributed significantly to our community, felt satisfying and fitting," explains Sukazi.

The Prof Otty Nxumalo Marathon takes place on October 4 in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal.

"In our country, there is no doubt that people are devoted to long-distance running, especially the Comrades Marathon. Having a marathon in our district will prevent local runners from having to travel far, spending a lot of money in order to qualify for one of the big ultra marathons. Additionally, the race will boost the local economy and motivate upcoming athletes, giving them the opportunity to compete with quality runners from different parts of the country. Overall, it's all about benefiting our community."

Formed in 2018 by Inkamana High School alumni, the Inkamana Athletics Club has seen steady growth, with over 100 members affiliated in two provinces: Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) and KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KNA). After successfully staging the Modderfontein Half Marathon which takes place in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng every May, thoughts turned to replicating this success in Zululand. Sukazi reveals that the idea which first emerged in 2022, was conceived in part as a means of fostering the upliftment of the local community.

Members of the Inkamana AC say the idea to host a full 42,2km marathon in their hometown of Vryheid was birthed in 2022 with the view to giving back to their community. Photo Credit: Inkamana AC.

"Our club doesn't have a development structure. Most of our athletes are working-class individuals who joined the running community for social interaction. We decided to host a race to help our community. Besides organizing our own race, we also assist a local club, Lindokuhle AC to attend KZNA cross-country meetings and provide transportation support for their events. It's our way of giving back to the development of the community we come from," Sukazi remarked.

As this is their first time hosting a marathon, Sukazi says they have decided to aim for a conservative target of 1000 participants.

"Our target is to attract 1 000 runners, and if we manage to reach 2 000, that would be a significant bonus. Given the distance, it can be challenging for runners to plan their trips here. However, we remain optimistic about achieving our target. This year is all about demonstrating to the runners that we are capable of organizing a successful event."