During a press conference in the capital, June 28, it was announced that the third edition of the Race for Mandela, organized by the South African embassy in Cuba in collaboration with the Institute of Sports and Recreation (INDER), will take place Sunday, July 17, in Havana and the main municipalities across all provinces.
With a 10 kilometer route around Havana and 4k courses across the rest of the country, the race is open to all ages in the categories established under the Marabana/Maracuba project. Those interested will be able to sign-up on presenting valid I.D. from July 11-15 at project offices located in the capital’s Ciudad Deportiva. Disabled persons must show valid I.D. of the association to which they belong.
Naphtal Manana, South African ambassador to Cuba, noted that the race is a habitual event on the embassy and INDER’s yearly calendar, celebrating the life of the country’s iconic leader Nelson Mandela, as part of activities marking International Nelson Mandela Day (July 18), he noted.
This event will be the penultimate chance for those interested in running in Marabana 2016 to qualify. Hopefuls must complete the circuit and show that they are capable of running greater distances.
The last opportunity to qualify for Marabana 2016 will be the 21k Ideal Olímpico race, scheduled to take place August 13, in honor of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro’s 90th birthday, according to Carlos Gattorno, director of the Marabana/Maracuba project.
The Mandela race will start – at 8:00am – and finish at the Kid Chocolate complex in Central Havana. The event, this year sponsored by the South African telecommunications company MTN and Cuban entity Ciego Montero, will follow the same route as the 10K Marabana race, which is officially certified by the International Association of Marathons and Races.
