Umgungundlovu plans to expand Mandela Day Marathon
The uMgungundlovu District Municipality wants to double the number of participants and tourists who take part in or support the Mandela Day Marathon.
The municipality hopes to achieve the goal within the next five years. Organisers are marking exactly 100 days to go until the 2016 instalment of the race.
Mayor Yusuf Bhamjee says 15 000 athletes from 30 different countries are expected to take to the streets in August.
He says doubling the number will help the local tourism industry understand what it takes to develop a legacy project.
"Now, we are getting calls from people who are beginning to believe in our concept and hence tourist investors are showing a lot of interest.
"Young entrepreneurs coming into the entrepreneur bracket will begin to see value and become a role player and promoting the Mandela Day Marathon from a from a socio-economic perspective," he said.
(File photo)