After World record-setting runs last year, the Nedbank Breaking Barriers 50km returns to Nelson Mandela Bay on 6 March 2022, bigger and better.

The elite-only invitational event received a boost with the announcement that qualifying age groupers are now welcome to enter the event with the aim of setting new World Bests from age groups 35 all the way to 65.

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Record-breaking event

Last year’s event was a huge success where not only World records were set in the men’s and women’s race, but numerous Continental records and age group bests,” said Nick Bester, National team manager of the Biogen-backed Nedbank running club and race director of the event.

We are now excited to announce that besides the elite athletes, we are welcoming qualifying age group athletes.”

Another first for the event was the announcement that the sport’s governing body, World Athletics (WA) awarded a WA label to the event, the first-ever ultra-marathon in the world to be awarded this honour.

“Through the hard work of the team putting all this together, it’s amazing that in only our second year, we are continuing to create history with the awarding of this label to the event,” said Bester.

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Limited field

The Nedbank Breaking Barriers 50km race also secured a three-year sponsorship from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

The event will be limited to a field of 200 entries and will be broadcast live on both SABC and SuperSport.

“Entries are filling up but we want to encourage the age groupers who qualify, to take this opportunity on our fast course and be part of an event that continues to set records.”

Elite and age group athletes who want to be part of this unique Nedbank Runified 50km race need to send their running resume to the NB Sport race office on nbsport@lantic.net or nickb@lantic.net.