Standerton Goldi Marathon 2015

Flat, fun and full of chicken!

This was my second marathon (that’s 42.2 km) of 2015, a few weeks ago I did the Township Marathon which I’ve done before (2014’s review).

The Standerton Goldi Marathon (21 March 2015) was a major confidence boost, I managed a 4:38 which is great considering my current fitness level. I was hoping for a sub 5h but thanks to some cool weather at the start and flat course I exceeded my expectations. I only felt major pain towards the end 36km+.

Route

It was an out and back route, i.e. we went 21km down the road then turned back to run the same 21km back to the start. The first 15km from the start goes through the residential area of the town (scattered with guest houses). It then heads out of town past a prison just before the 21km race turn around. This road was long, straight and provided views of open farmlands as far as the eye could see.

Standerton must be the capital of chicken because two water points were sponsored by chicken companies and we went past a couple chicken farms. See the picture I took with the the chicken mascot on the way back to the finish.

Water points were good as we got water, coke and poweraid to drink. There was also sweets, bananas and potatoes at some stations. The water points were also a great source of encouragement I enjoyed the support from the volunteers. The weather was on our side for the first half of the race, it was cloudy and misty. But then the sun came out and it got hot and made the second half much harder to do.

There were not many participants (thinking back to Johannesburg races) so parking was easy and late entry was fast. After the race there was a drinks place where you could buy beer, see entertainment from the local school and buy food. We stayed at New Beginnings guest house which was really basic (cheap) but all we needed; two beds, bathroom and a breakfast at 5:30. Must give props to the lady that runs the joint for helping us last minute, giving us a coffee with toast really early and allowing us to come back after the race to shower.

I give this race the thumbs up as its easy and a nice out of town race to try (2h from Johannesburg). If you doing your first 21 or 42km race do this one. I didn’t record the route.