Organisors of the Buffalo Marathon on the 20th of February have had to map out a new route for this year's event.
That's because the annual marathon will incorporate the SA Marathon Championships as well.
Once again, there will be two races, the 42.2 km Buffalo Marathon, incorporating the SA Marathon Championships and the 21.1 km Buffalo Half-Marathon
The race also serves as a qualifier for either the Two Oceans or Comrades and the added bonus this year is that it is also a qualifying race for athletes wishing to participate in the Olympics 2016.
See new route details below:
ROUTE
As the Buffalo Marathon route does not comply with Championship standards and requirements, a new route has been approved and measured by Athletics South Africa.
Marathon route starts in the parking lot below the Buffalo Park Cricket stadium, heading out and up Buffalo Park Drive and into Bowls Road.
Turn left into Graham Road, left into Recreation and right into Lambart, then left into Oxford.
Down Oxford then left into Commercial, right back into Buffalo Park Drive, left past the Cricket Stadium’s bottom parking lot and then right out the other side, into John Bailie, turn right onto the Esplanade at Marina Glen.
At the other end of the Esplanade go right into Currie street, then left into Orient and left onto Fleet Street.
Past the Police Station and left at Pontoon Road and cross the bridge over the Buffalo River, left onto Dr Zahn Road. Later you will go right onto Military Road and then left into Settlers Way.
Just approaching half way turn left into Prince George Circuit, once at the Race Track take the Northern road of the race track which becomes Molteno Drive. Once in Westbank turn left into Wezlar street, right into Jackson, right into West and left into Smith.
Left into Grandin Street, left into High Street and then right into Wezlar, right into Hood and left into Bank Street, which will become Dr Zahn Road, which you follow over the bridge and right into Pontoon.
Out of Pontoon right into Fleet until you go left at Ganteaume, left into Orient and right into Currie.
A left takes you back to the Esplanade which you follow back to Marina Glen, left into John Bailie and right into the Parking road, right into Buffalo Park Drive and finish on the lawn in front of the Buffs Club.
From the 5 km mark up to the 22 km mark, athletes must keep on the left hand side of the streets running with the flow of traffic.
From the 22 km marker up to the 35 km mark, the athletes can use the whole width of the street.
From the 35 km mark up to the finish line, the athletes must keep on the right hand side of the streets facing the traffic.
21,1 km Route
The 21,1 km race will start outside Buffs Club, at the corner of Buffalo Park Drive and Valley Road, and continue onto Bowls Road, using the similar route as the marathon. They will turn back to the club, at Military Road when they will turn right back along Settlers Way.
Continue as per marathon route back to the club.
