With just days to go until the 2014 Comrades Marathon on 1 June, major co-sponsor Nedbank is gearing up to transform Kloof’s Old Main Road into the rocking Nedbank Green Mile.
The Nedbank Green Mile is a fun and electrifying hot spot where family and friends can provide vital support to inspire and uplift exhausted runners as they embark on the home stretch of this gruelling 89km ultra-marathon.
Located 26km from the finish line, the award-winning Nedbank Green Mile, which is free to enter and open to everyone from 8am to 2:30pm on race day, is the only official spectator point along the Comrades Marathon route.
Patrick Baransky, Sponsorship Manager for Nedbank, says “What makes the Comrades Marathon a truly remarkable event is the incredible spectator support it attracts. The iconic Nedbank Green Mile is there to allow family, friends and fans to make unforgettable support happen during the race. In February this year the Nedbank Green Mile was recognised for providing the Best Live Sporting Experience in South Africa at the Discovery Sports Industry Awards, so it is definitely the place to be on 1 June for those wanting to cheer Comrades Marathon runners on!”
music among other entertainment
This year the Nedbank Green Mile is themed “Rock & Roll” – so be sure to come dressed the part! It will be 100% local, family-friendly entertainment including live performances from Durban’s top bands and DJs, local dancers, Sharks Rugby cheerleaders, drum majorettes, a Scottish Bagpipe band, a steel drum band and Marimba band, plus lucky prize giveaways throughout the day. A special zone just for kids will include an action-packed itinerary of face painting, balloon artists, jumping castles, superheroes, and much more!
Supporters will also be able to keep up with the race action from the purpose-built grandstand, with a large screen TV airing live footage and race commentary throughout the day. There’ll also be a SABC TV crew filming festivities.
“A vital component of the Nedbank Green Mile is making sure we leave a green footprint. This means all refreshments and food sold along the Green Mile will be sourced from the local community, with profits going towards charities in the Durban area. All packaging and waste will be recycled in-line with environmental awareness and suitable sustainability practices,” says Baransky.
The Nedbank Green Mile is open from 8am to 2:30pm on Sunday, 1 June, so come party like rockstars and get your runners home!
Easy access to the Nedbank Green Mile can be gained from the M13 Hillcrest – Pinetown alternative highway travelling east towards Durban at the Pioneer off ramp. Follow the sign boards or follow the event on Facebook or Twitter for more information.