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 #NedbankGreenMile – 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 #NedbankGreenMile, 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. After completing around 63 km of the race, bodies will be aching and tired legs will rely on the support of family and friends to carry them towards this year’s 5:30pm cut-off at  Kingsmead, Durban. 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 #NedbankGreenMile is there to allow family, friends and fans to make unforgettable support happen during the race. In February this year the #NedbankGreenMile 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!”

This year the #NedbankGreenMile is themed “Rock & Roll” – so dress the kids and 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, plus 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 #NedbankGreenMile 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 #NedbankGreenMile is open from 8am to 2:30pm on Sunday, 1 June, so come party like rockstars and get your runners home!

How to find the #NedbankGreenMile

Easy access to the #NedbankGreenMile 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 www.facebook.com/nedbanksport or @nedbanksport on twitter for more information.