Entries are now open for the popular Swartland Winery Cellar to Cellar Marathon to be held on April 24th. The area around Malmesbury in the Western Cape provides a wonderful vista for runners and with entries closing on 17 April (no late entries) - don’t miss the chance to run this picturesque route. For the serious athlete this Comrades Marathon qualifier is a must on the running calendar but new sponsor Swartland Winery aims to offer a fun weekend of activities for the serious and not so serious runners. New this year for this already-established event is a circular route starting and ending at the Swartland Winery. The marathon starts at 07h00 and takes you through private vineyards, giving you the chance to enjoy the exceptional scenery in this pretty Swartland area this is a run not to be missed. The event also comprises a half marathon from 08h00 and for the fun runners and walkers there’s a 10km route starting at 08h15. Encouraging runners to use the event as a training ground for the bigger events, this is the time to take on those Boland roads, put a team together and test your running skills, even if you are a novice. What better than to experience the glorious scenery, satisfy the need to exercise then ending up at a carnival full of celebrities. Past record holders include Donovan Wright and Farwa Mentoor and, although not a race to break major records, the challenges of the route make for exciting running. The event is under the auspices of SA Athletics and Boland Athletics and also serves to identify the winner of the Boland Marathon championships as the first Boland athlete to cross the finish line will take that title. Opportunities to increase runners in this event are enormous and with prize money up for grabs in each category (even the 10km) entering can be very rewarding! Medals will be awarded for the marathon, half marathon and the first 500 finishers in the 10km run/walk. A newly designed T shirt is also free with every entry received by the closing date of 17 April 2004. Entry fees: R45 Marathon, R35 half marathon and R20 for the 10km and a temporary licence will cost you R10. A new innovation this year is a charity donation and runners are invited to donate to the Cancer Association when entering the events before 17 April or collecting their numbers on 23 April. The numbers will be available from 08h30 to 16h30 from Totalsports Somerset Mall/ TygerValley/ Paarl and Claremont or from the Swartland Winery or Swartland Tourism Offices in Malmesbury. Complete your entry on line at www.enteronline.co.za or www.swwines.co.za and stand in line to win – we’re rewarding every 100th entry on line with a case of one of our delicious Swartland products! Pre entries close on 17 April so make sure you’re up there with the best. Swartland Toursim can advise on the best places to stay for this special Swartland weekend +27 (0) 22 487-1133. All roads lead to the Winery so start your weekend by sipping wine before heading off to the Festivities. The finish area will be a festive carnival of fun and entertainment from Friday evening through to Saturday afternoon. Listen to the sounds of your favourite musical personalities, take in the tastes of the area with food stalls galore and then gather around for prize giving at 12 noon on Saturday. Wine tasting will be held at the Cellar until 3pm so there are ample excuses to enjoy Swartland hospitality and exercise those muscles! Even if you are not a serious runner (but a serious wine fundi) come join the fun as the Swartland gets into high gear! Entry forms are available now from major sports stores, clubs, Technikons. Universities, Swartland Winery and Swartland Tourism. Enquiries: Top EventsTel: +27 (0) 21 511-7130Email: info@topevents.co.za Winery: +27 (0) 22 482-1134Race enquiries: +27 (0) 21 511-7130Swartland Winery: +27 (0) 22 482-1134 Swartland Tourism: +27 (0) 22 487-1133Website: www.swwines.co.za or www.enteronline.co.za­­­­­Issued by: Hippo Communications on behalf of Swartland WineryContact: Beryl EichenbergerTel: +27 (0) 21 556-8200Email: hipzone@mweb.co.za