About the race

The majestic Drakensberg between Sabie and Lydenburg in Mpumalanga sets the stage for one of South Africa's most popular running events – the Xstrata Longtom Ultra & Half Marathons. Run in one of the most beautiful parts of our country, this tough challenge has been voted consistently amonsgt the top 5 ultra marathons in South Africa for the past five years. The event is well organised and has grown rapidly in popularity amongst professional as well as amateur athletes from across the country.

The Xstrata Longtom Ultra Marathon is the “Everest” of ultra marathons in South Africa and is arguably the most difficult race of this distance on the race calendar. The downhill half marathon is popular amongst serious runners as well as social runners. Whilst an ever increasing percentage of participants are from Gauteng, both races attract many runners from Mpumalanga and is a highlight on the Thaba Chweu community calendar.

2009

It is with a sense of great achievement that we bring you the news that the 2009 event was once again voted amongst the top 5 road running events in South Africa for the period January to December 2009! This is indeed a significant and prestigious achievement for the Longtom race since its' reappearance on the race calender in 2003!!

Athletes that participated in the 2009 event commented that the success of the race was largely due to the excellent waterpoints and the enthusiasm of waterpoint personnel along the route. The 2009 event has benchmarked the Longtom event as one of the PREMIER ULTRA MARATHONS on the South African running calendar, on a par with Two Oceans and Comrades!

2010

Largely due to the success of the past 5 years, Xstrata SA has committed to a further term as title sponsor of the event. Powerade is still diligently supporting the event, as well as various other secondary sponsors. We are extremely thankful to the all the sponsors for their loyal assistance and ongoing support in staging the event.

With the financial and logistical support of these sponsors the Longtom Marathon Steering Committee has one goal: “To present a world class race in all aspects of road running”.

Extensive sponsorship has facilitated the following for the 2009 event:

• SABC 2 Television coverage of the event.
• Internet website - www.longtominfo.co.za
• Advertisements in the February and March 2010 editions of Runner's World magazine.
• Colourful billboards welcoming visitors erected at the main entrances to Lydenburg and Sabie.
• An elite group of sports journalists from major national & regional newspapers will be hosted to report on the race.
• The invitation of celebrities and professional athletes to boost the popularity of the event, to provide encouragement, assistance, and in some cases a helping hand to experienced and novice athletes.
• Substantial cash prizes for category winners
• Medals and T-shirts for all participants
• Goody bags filled with surprises
• Towels for 1st 50 runners home in each respective race!
• Medical, emergency and physiotherapy services