Against this spectacular backdrop, three of the event’s four course records were shattered as the fastest elite field ever assembled for an African marathon delivered world-class racing on the streets of Cape Town.

With the event entering the final phase of its candidacy to become an Abbott World Marathon Majors race, the performances in the Mother City underlined why the event is already regarded as Africa’s premier marathon.

…elite men’s race produced all the drama fans could have hoped for, with South African star Adrian Wildschutt setting a fearless pace…

The elite men’s race produced all the drama fans could have hoped for, with South African star Adrian Wildschutt setting a fearless pace that kept the field honest well beyond the 30km mark. His bold pacing strategy ignited the race and ensured a thrilling contest deep into the closing stages, adding even more excitement to an unforgettable day of racing, which had the other competitors wondering if he was going to finish the marathon and win it.

Ultimately, Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa stormed to victory in a scintillating 2:04:55, smashing the previous course record of 2:08:16 set by fellow Ethiopian Abdisa Tola in 2024. Esa’s time is now the fastest marathon ever run on African soil, eclipsing the previous continental mark of 2:06:32 set in Morocco in 2020, while also establishing a new South African all-comers record.

Esa arrived in Cape Town as the fastest athlete in the field after his 2:04:49 performance at the 2025 Chicago Marathon, and he proved his pedigree in emphatic fashion. Locked in a leading pack of four deep into the race, the Ethiopian made his decisive move over the final three kilometres before surging again in the closing stages to secure victory. Countryman Yihunilign Adane followed just four seconds later in 2:04:59, with Kenyan Kalipus Lomwai completing the podium in 2:05:06.

The depth of the elite field was equally remarkable. The first 10 men all finished faster than the previous course record, with the top 10 featuring two 2:04 performances, three 2:05s, three 2:06s and two 2:07s – an extraordinary standard that transformed Cape Town into the stage for one of the greatest marathon races ever seen on African soil.

South Africa’s top performers also delivered strong performances, led by former three-time champion Stephen Mokoka, who crossed the line in 2:10:48 for 13th place. He was followed by Matlakala Bennet Seloyi, who clocked a personal best 2:12:17, while debutant Anthony Timoteus impressed with a solid 2:13:04 in his first attempt at the distance.

Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge, widely considered one of the greatest marathoners of all time, finished 16th in 2:13:29. Kipchoge stole the show on route as Capetonians came out in their thousands to support him and to capture images of the legend running for the first time in Cape Town.

He chose the event as the opening race of his global tour. Prior to this, Kipchoge had never competed in a competitive, official full marathon on the African continent, making it a monumental milestone in his career.

ETHIOPIAN DOMINANCE IN WOMEN’S RACE
In the women’s race, Ethiopian runners made it a clean sweep of the podium positions, with Dera Dida Yami taking the win in 2:23:18, just under a minute outside the course record 2:22:22 set by SA’s Glenrose Xaba in the 2024 race. Second over the line was Mestawut Fikir in 2:23:46, with Waganesh Amare third in 2:23:57.

Former women’s World Champion, Kenyan 46-year-old Edna Kiplagat, finished fifth in 2:25:44, and the first South African home was 15th-placed Mia Morrison in 2:49:52, followed by Melissa Laing (16th in 2:50:11) and Banele Mabizela (18th in 2:51:15).

WHEELCHAIR RECORDS SHATTERED
David Weir of Great Britain dominated the men’s wheelchair race and took the win in 1:30:20, well inside the course record 1:32:09 set by Dutchman Gert Schipper in 2023. The Brit was followed in by Dutchman Jetze Plat (1:33:12), while third position went to the 2024 winner in Cape Town, Sho Watanabe of Japan, who was given the nod for the final podium position in a photo finish with Chinese athlete Zhang Ying. Both were given the same finishing time.

The women’s wheelchair record now belongs to Switzerland’s Manuela Schär. She absolutely dominated the race to win in 1:43:25, obliterating the previous course record of 1:52:58, set by Brit Eden Rainbow-Cooper in 2023. Second-placed Chen Xiaochun (China) also finished inside the previous record, crossing the line in 1:52:21, with another Chinese athlete, Deng Yirun, taking third in 1:57:05.

Full results here.

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Back in January, the race organisation blamed the delay on the finalisation of drug test results. But according to local media, doping clearances were finalised by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport in mid-January.

In a statement in February, the race organisation requested patience as they completed “the necessary paperwork and technicalities, which include a third party.” While it’s not clear what third party the Soweto Marathon NPC referred to, the race’s primary sponsor, Africanbank, confirmed that it had paid the race in full.

The delay in payments may be related to a complex dispute over the race’s ownership that unfolded last year, involving the Soweto Marathon Trust, which previously operated the race, and the more recently formed Soweto Marathon NPC, a nonprofit company. Central Gauteng Athletics, which sanctions the race, replaced the Trust with the nonprofit entity in response to several years of alleged financial mismanagement and leadership issues, sparking a court battle over who controls the race.

Andrew Booyens, who coaches Seutloali and third-place women’s finisher Gerda Steyn, demanded an update on the situation in a letter to Central Gauteng Athletics and threatened legal action should it not be resolved. His team, the Hollywood Athletics Club, also announced that they will not be participating in future Soweto Marathons.

Manfred Seidler, elite manager of Hollywood Athletics Club, recently told SportsBoom that they have not received any updates from the race since February. “Our elite athletes are professionals who dedicate their careers to running,” he said. “The prize money from races is a major contributor to their livelihoods.” He also pointed out that athletes “dedicate nine months to train, and forego other races where they could be winning cash prizes.” Winners are owed approximately R250 000.00, and runners-up are owed around R120 000.00.

Steyn expressed similar sentiments on a recent radio appearance. “It’s not just a loss of this prize money, it is also a loss of making income in other places,” she said. “I had to say no to various other races around the world to focus on the Soweto Marathon, and then I walked away with nothing to show for it, even though I finished on the podium.”

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, told Sunday World that the government will temporarily take over the marathon and ensure athletes get paid, and that his department will be pursuing criminal charges against the organisers, who he said “disappeared and stole that money.”

“We cannot lose the Soweto Marathon; it is historic, and it is a race for our people in the townships, and that’s why I am stepping in,” he said. The race, known as “The People’s Race,” passes by many historic landmarks in Soweto, the site of much of the country’s anti-apartheid resistance, including Nelson Mandela’s former home.

But Central Gauteng Athletics has suggested that such a takeover could undermine the race’s compliance with World Athletics, which “requires that the sport remains independent and free from political interference.”

This isn’t the first time in recent history that a South African marathon has failed to pay out: Winners of the 2024 Mpumalanga Marathon are still waiting on their prize money, equivalent to approximately R1-million.

Article first published on Runner’s World USA.

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On 18 October 2026, the first chapter of this journey will unfold in Cape Town, where an expected 20 000 runners will gather across the 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon distances. The popular Slave Route Challenge, which included a half-marathon and a 10km, will be incorporated into the event.

“The Nelson Mandela Marathon is an invitation to move through the values that defined Nelson Mandela’s life and leadership: dignity, courage, justice, equality, solidarity and freedom,” said organisers. “It is a chance to run for something bigger than oneself, and to carry these values forward.”

“Through this partnership with Golazo, we are creating a platform that brings people together not only to run, but also challenges them to remember, reflect and act in ways that advance us towards the more just society that Nelson Mandela worked for and that this time so badly needs,” said Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi, Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Set against the energy, beauty, and spirit of Cape Town, the inaugural event marks the beginning of a much broader vision: using movement to connect people across cultures, generations, and borders.

The route has yet to be announced, but it is understood that Table Mountain will always be within sight of the runners no matter where they are on the route. Further details are due to be released on Monday, May 18.

From 2027, the movement will expand internationally through the Nelson Mandela Marathon Global Running Series, inviting cities around the world to join a shared global journey inspired by Mandela’s enduring values.

To watch the teaser video and join the journey, visit www.nelsonmandelamarathon.com

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Sabastian Sawe of Kenya ran the first sub-2:00 marathon on a record-eligible course at this morning’s London Marathon. Sawe’s winning time of 1:59:30 not only took 1 minute and 5 seconds off Kelvin Kiptum’s previous world record, but assures that his name will be legendary for as long as marathons are run.

Perhaps even more amazing, Sawe wasn’t alone. In his first marathon, Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia finished second in 1:59:41. That time smashes the previous debut marathon record of 2:01:53, set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2022.

Sawe ran the second half of the race in 59:01—a world-class time for an open half marathon.

And for good measure, Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda was also under the previous world record, placing third in 2:00:28.

Pre-race talk centered primarily on whether Kiptum’s course record of 2:01:25, set in 2023, would fall. (It did, of course, and then some.) Sawe reportedly had a metatarsal stress fracture after winning Berlin last September, then missed ten days of training in December because of a back problem. Although Sawe was often pegged as the best current candidate to run an official sub-2:00, those setbacks and the London course’s fast-but-not-the-fastest reputation mostly tabled world record talk.

The pacing plan called for three rabbits, one of whom was Kiplimo’s brother Oscar Chelimo, to hit halfway in 60:30. Mission accomplished: Six men followed the pacers through that mark in 60:29.

The final pacer (Chelimo) dropped out in the 27th kilometre. Sawe made his first push in the 28th kilometre. Kejelcha, a veteran track runner who has held the indoor mile record and placed second at last year’s world championship 10 000 metres, acted on instinct and tucked in, just off of Sawe’s right shoulder. Kiplimo—who placed second to Sawe here last year in his debut—stalked two seconds back. But what at first seemed caginess by Kiplimo eventually revealed itself to be helplessness. He never rejoined the two leaders and was easily jettisoned once Sawe and Kejelcha really got going.

And get going they did. The two leaders ran 13:54 for the 5K between 30K and 35K. The projected finish time was now five seconds under Kiptum’s 2:00:35 world record from Chicago in 2023.

Then they sped up!  They passed 40K in 1:53:39, meaning that they ran the previous 5K in 13:54. The projected finish time was suddenly sub-2:00.

One key to that mythical mark falling is that there was still a race to be won. At 1:55:21 on the clock, Sawe got a small gap on Kejelcha on a slight uphill. He kept the momentum going on the ensuing downhill. Kejelcha was beaten, but not broken.

The clock read 1:58:00 as Sawe passed the 600-metres-to-go marker. Sub-2:00 was going to happen. Only then did a little strain show on Sawe’s face as he sprinted to see just how far under the barrier he could get. The answer: Thirty seconds, more than seemed possible even a kilometre earlier. Sawe ran the second half of the race in 59:01—a world-class time for an open half marathon.

It has been an astounding week in men’s elite marathoning. At last Monday’s Boston Marathon, John Korir of Kenya ran 2:01:52 to take 1 minute and 10 seconds off that race’s course record, which had stood since 2011. The second and third finishers on Monday also broke the previous Boston record. 

Today’s results are even more epochal. Counting Kenyan Amos Kipruto’s 2:01:39 for fourth place, four of the ten fastest men in history set their PRs at London 2026.

The post History in London: Sawe Breaks 2-Hour Barrier appeared first on Runner's World.

…the transition from half to full isn’t so straightforward.

While a few aspects of half marathon training translate to the full marathon, including the types of workouts you need, marathon training amplifies the demand put on both your body and your mind. The increased race distance means longer training cycles, more time on your feet, and a greater need to dial in the details that might not matter as much in a half.

Runners moving from a half to a full marathon often experience the same few pitfalls, but once you know what they are, they’re usually fixable.

We spoke to RRCA-certified run coach, certification instructor, and principal lecturer at Coastal California University, Christine Rockey, who reveals the three most common mistakes runners make when transitioning from a half to a full marathon for the first time, and how you can avoid them.

1. Not Prioritising Fuelling
Failing to prioritise fueling is the single biggest issue Rockey sees with athletes making the jump from a half to a full.

In a half marathon, many runners can get through a race with minimal fuelling or by grabbing one or two gels sporadically throughout a race. The marathon is a completely different physiological challenge, and will certainly overwhelm someone with a haphazard fuelling strategy, Rockey explains. The longer duration means your body will run low on readily available energy if you don’t take in carbohydrates along the way.

When runners aren’t fuelling during training, warning signs often show up in subtle ways before race day arrives. “You’re going to see fatigue, lack of motivation, not wanting to do the workouts you’re scheduled to do,” Rockey says. “One of the things that [you can measure] is a spike in your resting heart rate.” These signals often indicate that your body isn’t recovering properly between runs.

Prioritising pre-run and post-run meals is an easy way to start righting that ship. Prerun meals should include a balance of macronutrients, with a focus on carbs. Post-run fuelling should prioritise carbs, but also include some protein, within 30 to 60 minutes of finishing your effort.

You should also rehearse your race-day nutrition routine.

You should also rehearse your race-day nutrition routine. “If you’re going to run in the morning, you should practice fuelling with whatever you plan to eat on race day to make sure it sits well,” Rockey explains.

Even more crucial: practicing midrun fuelling. Rockey has seen many athletes who assume they can figure it out close to race day, but that approach can backfire. As soon as your plan calls for runs of 90 minutes or more, “you’re going to want to start practising doing some fuelling,” Rockey says.

2. Undertraining
Another common mistake for runners moving into full marathon training is inconsistency and the resulting undertraining issues that come from it.

Most runners who have completed a half marathon understand the importance of a structured training plan in keeping them consistent. However, many people can also successfully train for and race 21.1K with cracks in their plan, but those cracks can create big problems when going for 42.2K. Undertraining, not running fast, far, or frequently enough, has greater consequences in a marathon because of the physiological demands late in the race.

Oftentimes, skipping workouts can lead to undertraining. And while it’s rarely intentional, when you start missing more workouts than you realise, the probability of a bad race skyrockets. “You could get injured,” Rockey says. “But there’s the mental side of things, too. You can feel like a failure if things don’t go the way you expected.”

One of the best ways to lower the risk of undertraining is by having a solid base before you even begin your marathon plan. “I really think [runners] should have at least 500 to 800 kilometres of a base,” says Rockey. “Just get an idea of your life as a runner.” If it’s only been a few weeks since your half, you probably have a base already, so the key shifts to maintaining consistency.

One of the telltale signs of undertraining is stagnation. If you’re simply not getting faster in your training over a month or so, it may be time to check your training log for skipped runs, especially quality efforts like interval workouts or long runs.

The bottom line: Missing one workout every so often isn’t detrimental, just something to keep an eye on. However, if you regularly skip your quality workouts or miss full weeks of training, it may be time to reevaluate and build up toward a more manageable goal.

3. Misjudging the Challenge
Even runners who trained really well for their half marathon will experience unexpected challenges, both physical and mental, when moving up to a full marathon.

“When you hit the 21K mark, you’re not halfway there, even though on paper you are,” Rockey says. Essentially, you have physically travelled half the distance, but you haven’t experienced the full scope of the challenge yet.

In the later stages of a marathon, your body is operating in new territory. Glycogen stores run low, muscle fatigue mounts, and your ability to maintain pace becomes increasingly tied to fuelling and mental resilience, Rockey says. If you’ve only done half marathons before, you simply don’t know what that feeling is like. “I’ve done about 100 marathons, and in every one around 32K I’m still like, ‘Oh my god, why did I sign up for this?’” Rockey says.

Getting as ready as possible for that moment at 32K comes during race prep, especially on long runs where you’re spending extended time on your feet without the energy of race-day crowds to push you, explains Rockey. “At home, you’re literally running by yourself,” she says. “The only person to hold you accountable is you.”

The first step in holding yourself accountable and building mental resilience is simply getting out the door consistently, as mentioned above. Once you’re out running, work on your mental game just as much as your physical. Some strategies to consider include positive self-encouragement, running with a buddy, or Rockey’s suggestion: “I play games with myself,” she says. “I’ll try to do math problems or count backwards from 100.”

The post From 21K to 42K: Three Mistakes That Break Marathon Dreams appeared first on Runner's World.

She won the race by almost eight minutes…

The 28-year-old started the race as the third-fastest women’s half-marathon runner in history and ended it by surpassing that feat over double the distance, finishing within a minute of the world marathon record.

Tsfay boasts stellar credentials that include running the third-fastest half marathon in world history (1:03:04, Valencia 2024), placing seventh in the 10K at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and eighth at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in the 10 000m. She worked with two male pacemakers on Sunday, covering 10K in 31:05 and the halfway mark in 1:05:05. She passed 30K in 1:32 and 40K in 2:03:31, as windy conditions started to take their toll on the group.

Her target was the world record of 2:09:56 set by Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya in Chicago in 2024, and Tesfay looked determined as she went through 40km in 2:03:31. Chepngetich is currently serving a three-year ban for testing positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic used to flush out prohibited substances from an athlete’s system. She tested positive in March 2025, and her results from then on were disqualified, but her world record still stands.

While Tesfay was unable to dip under 2:10 this time, she was rewarded with the fastest ever women’s marathon debut, an Ethiopian record and the second-quickest performance in history.

“Today was fantastic – not what I was expecting, but it is good,” she told the race broadcaster, speaking through an interpreter.

“I planned to attack the world record, but today there was a lot of wind, and I was not able to push in the last part of the race. Today I did not succeed, but in the next marathon I would like to try for the world record.”

She won the race by almost eight minutes ahead of Kenya’s Joan Jepkosgei Kiplimo, who ran 2:18:42, while Ethiopia’s Zeineba Yimer was third in 2:18:49.

In the men’s race, Uganda’s Abel Chelangat and Kenya’s Patrick Mosin broke away, and Chelangat tracked his rival through 40km in 1:58:40. Chelangat made his move as they reached a water station, and he looked in control as he strode away with two hours on the clock.

Mosin couldn’t respond, and Chelangat clinched the win unchallenged, clocking 2:04:57 to Mosin’s 2:05:01. Kenya’s Jonathan Samanayo Korir was third in 2:05:29.

Leading results

Women
1 Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) 2:10:51
2 Joan Jepkosgei Kiplimo (KEN) 2:18:42
3 Zeineba Yimer (ETH) 2:18:49
4 Chaltu Chimdesa Kumsa (ETH) 2:23:32
5 Yalganesh Eskamech Gedefa (ETH) 2:24:05

Men
1 Abel Chelangat (UGA) 2:04:57
2 Patrick Mosin (KEN) 2:05:01
3 Jonathan Samanayo Korir (KEN) 2:05:29
4 Moses Kipngetich Kemei (KEN) 2:05:53
5 Kaan Kigen Özbilen (TUR) 2:06:01

The post Tesfay’s Debut Marathon Is Second-Fastest in Women’s History appeared first on Runner's World.

…the top events recommended by the Runner’s World team…

Whether you’re building towards a big goal or simply craving the buzz of race day, these are the top events recommended by the Runner’s World team to help you start the year strong and keep the momentum rolling.

Sunday 1 February: aQuellé Joburg North City Marathon 21km, 10km, 5km – Marks Park, Emmarentia
With only 132m of elevation on the marathon course, this is one of the flattest races in SA. But never be fooled by a flat course; the lack of elevation often makes running harder, without the variation of ups and downs. But it’s a good Two Oceans or Comrades qualifier, and the finish-line vibe is always excellent. To find out more or to enter, visit the website.

Saturday 7 February: Jock Of The Bushveld 4 in 1 Marathon, 21km, 10km, 4.9km – Mbombela
One of the most scenic races in the north, ‘The Jock’ is a testing course that includes a 6km climb just after the 22km mark, and some significant pulls in the second half of the marathon that test both body and mind. As much as it’s tough, it’s also wildly scenic, and passes several wildlife reserves as it winds its way towards Barberton. It’s a race with a rich history and a storied list of winners. Visit their Facebook page for all the details.

Saturday 7 February: KUDUS 15km – Wits University, Braamfontein
Experience the excitement of running through one of Johannesburg’s most iconic locations. The race offers runners of all levels – from beginners to seasoned athletes – a chance to explore the beautiful Wits campus, while challenging themselves over 15 kilometres of scenic route. All entries include a donation to the SANParks Honorary Rangers. Enter online here.

Sunday 8 February: Rolando Hillcrest Marathon, 21km – Hillcrest, KZN
Hosted by the Hillcrest Villagers Athletics Club, this Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon qualifier is one of KZN’s most popular early-season races – known for its scenic route, great organisation and electric atmosphere. Find out more via the Hillcrest Villagers website.

Friday 13 February: World Sports Betting Randburg Harrier Valentine’s Night Run – Randburg Sports Complex
Gauteng’s most famous Valentine’s run of the year is a must-do, whether you’re looking for love or you’ve already found it. Choose either the new 5km or the traditional 10km (don’t tire yourself out, because the afterparty is worth staying up for!), dress up to win prizes, and enjoy the fun, music and vibe at this #streetdate party. Why not get sweaty twice in one night! Enter here.

Sunday 15 February: Balwin Sport Peninsula Marathon – Cape Town to Simon’s Town
Host marathon for last year’s ASA National Marathon Championships; this is one of the oldest and most scenic marathons in the Western Cape. This iconic race runs the length of the stunning Cape Peninsula, starting in Green Point and finishing at the historic Simon’s Town Naval Sports Ground. The route is fast and flat, offering runners the opportunity to witness a beautiful sunrise and enjoy around 15km along the breathtaking False Bay coastline. It’s also a qualifier for the Abbott Age Group World Rankings. Additionally, there is a 21.1km race, starting in Bergvliet and finishing at the same picturesque location in Simon’s Town. Entries are sold out, but you still have a chance to substitute until midnight on Sunday, 1 February, if you can find an entry. All details here.

Sunday 15 February: Pirates 21K – Greenside, Johannesburg
Renowned for being Joburg’s toughest half, this 21.1km race takes participants on the iconic route over Northcliff Hill, offering breathtaking views and unforgettable moments. With around 4 000 athletes vying for medals, all finishers earn bragging rights, and the first 2 000 entrants receive exclusive T-shirts. A must-do event, filled with Pirates’ legendary gees and camaraderie. Enter here.

Saturday 21 February: Auto&General Xtri – Steyn City, Johannesburg
The biggest cross-tri event on the calendar, the Xtri is held entirely within the Steyn City luxury resort, and the vibe is real. If you’ve never done a triathlon, this is the event you should choose for your first. Various distances available, superbly organised, and unique. Get all the latest information via the race website.

Sunday 22 February: ABAX Investments Milkwood Run, 10km, 5km – Kommetjie, Cape Town
Taking place around the majestic Soetwater Resort in Kommetjie, Western Cape, this iconic event offers 21.1km, 10km and 5km races, catering to runners of all levels. Participants enjoy breathtaking coastal views and a superbly organised route – plus a special finishing ‘medal’ they can plant when they get home. Get all the race information here.

Saturday 28 February: TRACN4 Elands Marathon – Mbombela
The Two Oceans of the north! The scenic Elands Marathon is an iconic event renowned for its challenging course and stunning natural scenery. With just 160m of climbing and a gentle sloping downhill for most of the last 36km, the event is growing rapidly as a marathon favourite and Comrades and Two Oceans qualifier. Plus, there’s a proper finish-line vibe. Visit their website for all the latest information.

Saturday 28 February: The Sunrise Monster 32km, 21km, 10km Mini Monster, 5km baby Monster – Harlequin Club, Groenkloof, Pretoria
Celebrating its 47th edition, the Monster is a Gauteng favourite that attracts a big field to its many distance options. It’s a tough sub-marathon challenge, and perfect if you’re training for a marathon or ultra. Get all the details here.

53 of the country’s best races have been profiled in the Jan/Feb issue of Runner’s World. Pick up a copy today, or subscribe online to get all the latest event information.

The post February’s Must-Run Races Around SA appeared first on Runner's World.

Probably the most excruciating breath I’ve taken in my life was in Lenox Hill Hospital on East 77th Street. It was my first breath on Earth, and my lungs must have wondered what had hit them. Forty-three years later, it seemed fitting that I’d come back to you for another challenge to my lungs and body: my first marathon.

Running the New York City Marathon tested my limits, revealed my grit, and brought me full circle with the city that shaped me.

I have lots of memories of you, starting from those early years on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Then there were holiday visits and sleepovers with my grandmother in Stuyvesant Town, special days in Dad’s office in Washington Heights, Mom’s gallery openings in the Village. There were the fits and starts of my early professional career when I lived in Brooklyn and then Alphabet City, using most of my paycheck for rent, the rest for food. And of course, after I moved away in my late 20s, when I’d see you a couple of times a month for work.

If I’m being honest, you’ve always been a bit of a headache and a challenge. Back when I was just starting out, I couldn’t tolerate your high prices and abrasive attitude, and your tendency to “never sleep.” Which is why I ditched you for a less exhausting life in the country. Even today, I stress out just thinking about seeing you.

But on an unseasonably warm November Sunday, NYC Marathon day, you challenged me more than ever before, and revealed a level of grit I didn’t know was in me.

On the Verrazzano Bridge, I was overcome with emotion at having made it to the starting line. Surrounded by scores of runners from all over the world, with the open waterway below and the iconic skyline in the distance, I felt like a part of something huge and meaningful. It literally brought tears to my eyes.

Running through Brooklyn, I was in a zone. I was able to stay on pace and hit the halfway mark in decent shape, so I forced a smile at the throngs of cheering spectators. I’ve never been one to smile during races, and even your generous Brooklynites couldn’t get me to light up a genuine grin.

Then came the 59th Street Bridge. Long Island City, with its dull stretches of low-slung warehouses, is perhaps one of your most charmless neighbourhoods. Nothing against the spectators who did their best in the streets leading up to the bridge, but that endless, gradual incline in the eerie quiet with the wind blowing up off the East River is where I started to unravel.

The screaming wall of people on First Avenue did nothing to energise me. This is where I began to feel like perhaps a marathon is just too long a run to be considered a wise choice.

And, sorry. Even if the Bronx had welcomed me with confetti and a marching band, it wouldn’t have mattered. Once I got to the Willis Avenue Bridge, I regretted not bringing money or a MetroCard, so I could duck out and just go home. With every step, my feet, my quads, my knees threatened imminent shutdown. Worse was the shivering that seemed to consume my whole body, like when you lie feverish in bed, begging for the Tylenol to kick in.

Harlem was a fleeting boost, lifting me up ever so briefly at the 35km mark with its gospel choir, its Jamaican ska, its salsa beat. New York, here is where you started to shine and where I started to believe in myself. Your Harlem spectators literally reached out their hands and told me, “You can do this,” and “You look strong.” They warmed me with their smiles when my body was wracked with chills. They let me pet their Bernese Mountain Dog, a wagging gift of comfort when all I wanted was to curl up on the sidewalk. They watched me cry tears that were a strange mixture of homesickness, pride, and self-pity. And they saw me smile a genuine smile for the first time all day.

The high was short-lived, but that’s okay. Marathons are not meant to be easy. I had no illusions that I’d skip along Fifth Avenue with my arms in the air. But I was able to hold on to that smile, the one I picked up in Harlem, that was as real as I’ve ever smiled in a race. And friends told me later that I looked strong and was even passing other runners on that stretch just south of 110th Street.

Central Park made my head spin. It was so close to the finish, yet it felt like endless circles. I was ready to be done with you, New York. But you had other plans. After I crossed the finish line (at 4:44, roughly 15 minutes slower than my hoped-for time), you sent me into the arms of a mom-like volunteer named Kate on whose shoulder I blubbered and drooled and snotted until she led me into a medical tent where I collapsed in a shivering heap, and was caught by a dreadlocked medic named Ishmael with gentle eyes who covered me in woolen blankets and placed me next to a heater and fed me hot soup and salt and Gatorade until I could stand up again and hobble back to the hotel and my family and my peaceful life.

And though you raised the stakes in a big way, New York, that day, you made me grateful for the chance to prove to myself that I can do hard things. Even if we don’t see eye to eye, you helped make me who I am. I never believed I could run this distance, that I’d be up to the challenge. But looking back on our history, I’m pretty sure you knew I had it in me all along.

The post The Marathon That Nearly Wrecked Me appeared first on Runner's World.

They turned onto Central Park South side by side until Obiri made her huge move.

Sharon Lokedi, also of Kenya, had no response to Obiri’s move on Central Park South and finished second in 2:20:07. Lokedi, the 2018 10000-metre champion while at the University of Kansas, won here in 2021 in her debut. At Boston in April, she outkicked Obiri for the win and broke the Boston Marathon course record by more than two minutes. Defending champion Sheila Chepkirui placed third in 2:20:04.

Last year’s Olympic gold medalist, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, was also dropped for good at the 28km mark. She finished sixth in 2:24:43, nine weeks after winning the Sydney Marathon.

One prerace storyline was whether the course record of 2:22:31, set by Margaret Okayo in 2003, would finally fall. The impetus to do so would likely come from runners such as Chepkirui and Lokedi, who would want to be well free of Hassan and her unmatchable finish sprint. This approach made that much more sense given that Hassan was likely still feeling the effects of her Sydney victory.

Chepkirui was the first to act on that strategy, running the eighth and ninth kilometres at a 3:18 pace, before settling back into a 3:24 per kilometre groove. The real first move came from O’Keeffe, who pushed to a 3:15 19th kilometre. Chepkirui kept the momentum going through a halfway split of 1:11:01, with Hassan five seconds back. The push continued to the 22nd kilometre, except for Hassan, who ran even faster to slowly reattach herself to the back of the pack. O’Keeffe was holding her own amid the previous three New York City winners and the reigning Olympic champion.

Then came the Queensboro Bridge. Hassan lost touch during the uphill 24th kilometre, and then O’Keeffe was dropped as Chepkirui pushed to a 3:12 25th kilometre – a slightly downhill kilometre, but still! The lead trio of Chepkirui, Obiri, and Lokedi were now on a low 2:21 marathon pace.

Yet during the slightly downhill 27th kilometre on First Avenue, which is often the fastest of the race, the lead trio kept things moderate, with a 3:17 split. That allowed the persistent O’Keeffe to rejoin them and never-say-die Hassan to cut her gap behind them to only five seconds. Hassan rejoined the quartet thanks to a 3:17 for the 28th kilometre.

Chepkirui pushed again after the 30km hydration station, and this time O’Keeffe and Hassan were gone for good. The other significant event then was that, on the Willis Avenue Bridge in the 32nd kilometre, Lokedi moved ever so slightly to the lead for the first time.

The lead trio ran together until Lokedi pushed on the long downhill in the 40th kilometre, which dropped Chepkirui. Obiri tucked in, staring at the small of Lokedi’s back, hoping to be able to hang on for the sprint, while Lokedi had her head up, looking down the road.

After a 3:09 40th kilometre, the pair exited the park. Obiri pulled even on Fifth Avenue. They turned onto Central Park South side by side until Obiri made her huge move. Obiri earned $150 000 for her efforts. $100 000 for the win and $50 000 for breaking the course record.

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…averaged 3:02 minutes per kilometre…beating Mutiso by three-hundredths of a second…

On Sunday, November 2, the four-time World Marathon Major champion averaged 3:02 minutes per kilometre through the five boroughs, beating Mutiso by three-hundredths of a second in Central Park. Following a third-place finish last year, Albert Korir placed third again in 2:08:57.

“I was giving myself morale, saying, ‘Come on, you can win it, come on.’ And I was pushing so hard to make sure I win,” Kipruto told Lewis Johnson of ESPN after the impressive performance.

From the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the lead pack started the race tightly packed at a conservative pace through the first 5km, with most covering the split between 15:11 and 15:14, on track for a 2:08:15 finish. Running together, the primary contenders, including Eliud Kipchoge, Korir, Kipruto, and Mutiso, were biding their time on a technical course to strike later.

In his marathon debut, Hillary Bor made his presence known early on, running shoulder-to-shoulder with veterans Kipruto and Kipchoge at the front, as the group made their way from Staten Island into Brooklyn.

After yo-yoing ahead of the lead pack for much of the first half, Yudai Fukuda of Japan brought the elite men through the first 13.1 in 1:05:18, on track for a 2:10:36 finish. Still running at a conservative pace, 21 athletes remained well within the top group when they hit the Greenpoint area.

On the Queensboro Bridge, about 24km into the race, Bor began to pull ahead, causing a sudden separation within the pack. Eight athletes responded to the move, including Korir, Mutiso, and Kipruto, eventually catching the former steeplechaser on First Avenue. Kipchoge led the chase pack a few seconds behind them.

For the next eight kilometres, Korir, Bor, and Abel Kipchumba attempted to break away at different times, but the group remained intact for the most part through the 32-kilometre mark. Korir, the 2021 winner and bronze medalist in 2024, tapped into his experience on the course, while Kipchumba channelled the same leader mentality that won him the NYC Half in March. Running boldly in his first marathon, Bor looked comfortable among seasoned marathon standouts as they closed in on Central Park.

Days after telling the media he wanted to complete a sweep of the U.S. World Marathon Majors, Kipruto looked strong within the pack, making its way through Manhattan. Since 2021, the Kenyan runner has earned six podium finishes in the global series, including victories at the Boston Marathon (2021), Chicago Marathon (2022), and Tokyo Marathon (2024).

At the 35-kilometre mark, the top group whittled down to four. With four kilometres remaining, Kipruto and Mutiso made a big push on the Upper East Side. Heading downhill in the park, Kipruto was just a few steps ahead of Mutiso. Seven months after placing third at the London Marathon, Mutiso continued to battle against Kipruto’s surges as the rivals neared the finish line.

In the last kilometre, the athletes were shoulder to shoulder until the final turn back into the park, where Kipruto pulled ahead. But the 2024 London Marathon winner continued to fight back, nearly passing Kipruto into the finish line with a massive kick. It was the closest finish in the history of the event.

“I was aware Mutiso was behind me. He was so close,” Kipruto said in the post-race press conference. “I never lose hope.”

Kipruto won $100 000 for the victory. Mutiso earned $60 000 for finishing runner-up, and Korir took home $40 000 for placing third overall.

Three Americans finished within the top 10. Joel Reichow placed sixth overall in 2:09:56 and won $25 000 in the U.S. division. In his marathon debut, Charles Hicks placed seventh in 2:09:59, earning $15 000. Also running his debut, Joe Klecker finished 10th in 2:10:37 and will take home $10 000. After fading late in the race, Bor finished 12th in 2:10:47.

Kipchoge placed 17th in 2:14:36. The former world record-holder completed his goal of finishing all seven World Marathon Majors after running the London and Sydney marathons earlier this year. Before the race, the two-time Olympic medalist, who turns 41 in three days, hinted that New York City could be his last World Marathon Major.

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…your mental dialogue can make or break the rest of your performance.

Every marathoner knows how tough the later stages of the race can get – even prospective marathoners have probably heard about the struggles runners experience after kilometre 32. And while your fitness and fuelling play a role in getting you through to the finish, your mental dialogue can make or break the rest of your performance.

Although some experts have proposed that runners stay motivated to maintain pace by thinking about why they’re doing a marathon or by distracting themselves by observing the crowds or other landmarks, there may be a more effective method, according to a new study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

Surveying about 1 000 recreational and professional runners of different distances, researchers asked about their visual attention habits, which means what they look at while running, as well as when they use mental tactics, like reminding themselves of specific running goals.

From the answers, researchers found that distraction and goal visualisation were actually detrimental when it came to speed and satisfaction with race results, according to the study’s lead author, Emily Balcetis, PhD, associate professor of psychology at New York University.

“We may think distraction is a useful tool as we go farther into a run and it starts to hurt more and more,” she told Runner’s World. “The research, however, suggests that faster and more competitive runners use focused attention rather than distraction. They narrow their gaze onto subgoals and reset the subgoal once they pass the previous one. They avoid looking all around as distractions.”

In terms of those subgoals, that means they concentrate on how to run instead of why they’re running, she added, focusing on breathing, pacing, and other physical mechanics of running. Not only does this help maintain motivation, but it can also reduce the risk of physical strain because you’re listening to your body more attentively.

“Experienced runners don’t try to motivate themselves with reminders about their purpose, such as the bigger goal they’re working toward,” said Balcetis. “As runs get longer and feel harder, switching to focused attentional strategies is much more effective.”

In addition to noticing breath, pace, and body movements, narrowing your visual field can be a performance booster, she said. For example, she suggests imagining a spotlight shining in one place up ahead that’s on a visual marker, like a stop sign, tree, or the shorts of a runner who’s a few lengths ahead. When you pass that spotlighted marker, create another one, and another, all the way to the finish line.

“Imagine you have blinders on the sides of your head, keeping out the visuals on the left and right that might capture your attention,” Balcetis explained. “Avoid looking all around you. In some cases, simply using the mantra, ‘eyes on the prize,’ can help, particularly as you approach the end of a run and your body is more and more challenged.”

An important clarification is that this strategy is best used later in a run when motivation is lagging and tiredness sets in, she added. Trying to do a narrow focus too early can be tiring because it requires effort to shrink your attention in that way.

“When you’re just starting, particularly in a race like a marathon, it is useful to think about why you’re running and to look around because that can give you energy during those early miles,” said Balcetis. “But as you progress, focusing your attention as the run grows harder and longer can be a key strategy for maintaining your pace and finishing that race.”

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No matter how many times you’ve done it, 42.2 kilometres will humble you.

There really is something incredibly special about running a marathon in Cape Town. Maybe it’s the sea breeze and beautiful ocean views that greet you along Beach Road, the view of Table Mountain standing proud in the distance, taking in the city sights as you wind your way through the streets and suburbs, or the sound of supporters on the route shouting your name. Whatever it is, this race has a way of reminding us why we run – not just for medals or times, but for the experience, the people, and the quiet pride that comes from doing something truly hard.

But make no mistake, running a marathon is tough. No matter how many times you’ve done it, 42.2 kilometres will humble you. It will test your patience, your training, and your mindset. That’s why, as race day approaches, it’s worth taking a step back from the noise – the pace charts, the weather forecasts, the expo, what your running buddies are doing, the last-minute nerves – and refocusing on what really matters.

1. Read the Race Briefing Email
Yes, really read it! The race team has spent many hours writing and planning the Race Briefing Emailer, all for your benefit and to help you. So please read it – read it from start to finish. Then use it to plan your race morning. How will you get there, and what time do you need to leave home? Where will you park? Will you take the train? Which roads are closed? All this information will be in the emailer. Plan to get there early, very early, to avoid added stress dealing with traffic and parking. If you can take the train or the bus that the event has organised, then do so. Don’t be that chop who thinks they can drive in and park right by the start.

2. Respect the Distance
A marathon is a long way – physically, mentally, and emotionally. No amount of enthusiasm at the start line can change that. Go out too fast, and the marathon will catch up to you, so start slow. If you feel like you are running too slowly, then go even slower. Respecting the distance means pacing yourself wisely, staying patient, and saving your energy for when you’ll really need it, which is usually somewhere shortly after the 32km mark, when the body starts to protest and the mind must take over.

3. Run Your Own Race
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the crowd or the pace of other runners. But this is your journey. Don’t measure your success by someone else’s watch or split times. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just hoping to reach the finish line, remember that every runner out there has a different story, a different goal, and a different reason for showing up.

4. Feed Your Body, Calm Your Mind
Fuelling properly isn’t glamorous, but it’s what keeps you moving. Stick to the nutrition plan you’ve practised and don’t try anything new on race day. And just as importantly, take care of your mind. When you hit a tough patch (and you will), focus on small goals: the next kilometre marker, the next water table, the next smile or high five from a spectator. Each small win carries you closer to the finish.

5. Take in Every Moment
The Cape Town Marathon is more than just a race – it’s a celebration of one of the world’s most beautiful cities and its vibrant running community. Don’t rush past it all. Look up. Take in the mountain, the crowds, the rhythm of the city. Let the energy lift you. These are the moments that make all the months of training totally worth it.

6. Finish with Gratitude
Crossing that finish line is emotional. It’s relief, pride, and exhaustion all rolled into one. Whether it’s your first marathon or your fiftieth, take a moment to appreciate what you’ve done. Thank the volunteers, your supporters, and most importantly, yourself, for showing up, for pushing through, and for proving that you can.

The Cape Town Marathon isn’t just about how fast you run. It’s about the courage it takes to start, the resilience to keep going, and the joy of finishing something that once seemed impossible. So when you step up to that start line, take a deep breath, trust your training, and remember: the marathon doesn’t just test you – it reveals who you are.

From the Runner’s World SA Team, we wish you all the best with your run. Have fun out there, take it all in and let us know how it went when it’s all done and you have your medal. We reached out to our running community via our social media platforms, and these are some of the tips that caught our attention. Some great advice from our followers, and some comments that made us smile.

• Have a race plan & stick to it. Resist following the crowd. Then if things go pear-shaped, don’t stress, forget the time and enjoy the ride and go get your medal! @zamatheposer
• Keep it conservative on the downhill in Long Street and watch out for the snipers waiting to take out your hamstrings in Somerset Road. @aimeevangensen
• Start visualising that finish line & medal now! ‘See’ yourself running strong & proud towards the finish. How good it’s going to look & feel 🙌🥇 You’ve got this!! @sole_lab_za
• Plan your arrival time and get to the starting point on time, if not earlier… 🏃 🏃 @hisattitudesucks
• Have a race plan, but 2 things you have no control over on race day 1. Weather 2. Route elevation – just adapt to it. @sne_runs_easy
• When you think you’re running too slow, run slower. @hillslovehills
• Arrive early – choose your favourite porta-loo without a queue. Go hard as you can from the start gun till you blow. Kak off for the last 10km. Get to finish. Drink beer. Easy. @Davidmoseley

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…the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2…got there first.

In each race, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2, the newest R10 000+ super shoe, got there first. Surprisingly, not a Nike was seen among the first five finishers. Here are the running shoes that were on the feet of the top finishers.

MEN’S MARATHON:

1. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2 – Alphonce Simbu (TAN) 2:09:48.
2. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 – Amanal Petros (GER) 2:09:48. The Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 made waves earlier this year when a study showed it improved running economy by up to 3.6 per cent. The racer has been hard to get a hold of, as it’s mostly been sold out since launch.
3. Asics Metaspeed Ray – Iliass Aouani (ITA) 2:09:53. The Asics Metaspeed lineup got a third model, the Ray. It’s all about reducing weight, as it checks in at about 75 per cent of the weight of the Sky and Edge Tokyo models. The FF Leap midsole foam is exceptionally soft and bouncy.
4. Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo – Haimro Alame (ISR) 2:10:03. The Metaspeed Sky is the shoe Asics designed for “stride” runners – those who speed up by taking longer steps. The unisex racer costs in excess of R5 000.
5. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 v2 – Abel Chelangat (UGA) 2:10:11. Chelangat was out front early, but settled for a fifth-place finish. He laced up version 2 of the Pro Evo 1. The shoe has a slightly thinner forefoot than the newly updated Pro Evo 2.

WOMEN’S MARATHON:

1. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2 – Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 2:24:43. Like Simbu in the men’s marathon, Jepchirchir rode the newest lightweight marathon racer from Adidas to a first-place finish.
2. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 v2 – Tigst Assefa (ETH) 2:24:45. Not a huge surprise that Assefa laced up the Pro Evo 1. It’s the same model she wore when she ran a 2:11:53 at Berlin in 2023 to set the world record at that time.
3. Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 – Julia Paternain (URU) 2:27:23. Paternain was a surprise third-place finisher. The Saucony pro wore the company’s bounciest marathon racing shoe.
4. Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB – Susanna Sullivan (USA) 2:28:17. Sullivan wore the Hyperion Elite 4 PB, even though version 5 is out. Jess McClain, who finished eighth, wore the same shoe, but the third American, Erika Kemp, rolled with v5.
5. Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo – Alisa Vainio (FIN) 2:28:32. The Sky makes another top-5 appearance.

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Everybody was just amazed that a Mongolian could run that fast…

On September 15, Bat-Ochir added another major performance to his resume, running 2:30:09 for 65th in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. It was the six-time Olympian’s 12th straight appearance at the world championships.

After battling humid conditions on the course in Japan’s capital, Bat-Ochir told Citius Mag he’s still motivated to push himself against the top marathoners in the world. “I’m always fighting this old body,” Bat-Ochir said, while explaining how he trains to get faster every year. “But my body is very strong.”

In a 2023 interview with The New York Times, the self-made runner shared how he developed as an athlete in Mongolia, which lacked much of a running culture when he was starting. At one point, he worked as a physical education teacher and later a police officer while fitting in training whenever he could, often at night in the snow.

His progression was swift. At the 2003 World Championships, Bat-Ochir finished 63rd in 2:26:39, shattering the Mongolian national record by 10 minutes. “Everybody was just amazed that a Mongolian could run that fast,” Ser-Od told the Times. “They said that it was crazy, that nobody would ever break it.”

Over the years, Bat-Ochir continued to improve. In 2011, he finished eighth at the London Marathon. Four months later, he placed 19th at the World Championships in Daegu, Korea, his highest finish at the event. Three years later, he blasted a 2:08:50 personal best at the 2014 Fukuoka Marathon.

Bat-Ochir’s fastest performance at a global event took place at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where he finished 26th in 2:11:39. He was 40 at the time.

Earlier this year, he clocked a season’s best of 2:13:59 at the Xiamen Marathon and a sixth-place finish at the Asian Marathon Championships in Jiaxing, China.

When asked by Citius Mag if he plans to return for the next global championship, Bat-Ochir didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I will keep going, maybe the next Olympics.”

The post Six-time Olympian’s 12th Appearance at World Championships appeared first on Runner's World.

Only when the official results flashed on the scoreboard did Simbu know he had won.

Simbu just squeezed past Amanal Petros of Germany at the line to win the 2025 title in 2:09:48. Petros, who looked to have a slight edge with 50 metres to go, was given the same time for his silver medal performance. Illiass Aouani of Italy, who entered the stadium with Simbu and Petros for the final 350 metres, took the bronze medal in 2:09:53.

The race with the most dramatic finish in world championship marathon history also got off to an odd non-start, when Vincent Ngetich of Kenya false-started and the field was called back within the first 100 metres. On the second attempt, the race started without incident, with the eager Ngetich leading the 87 other starters out of the stadium. (He finished 22nd in 2:13:28 after doing a lot of the early leading.)

At around the 14-kilometre mark, the big names moved to the front. Soon after, Young was clipped from behind and went down. He got up quickly and easily rejoined the lead pack while giving a thumbs up to the nearby cameraperson. The top 50 men were within 10 seconds of each other through 15km, with defending champion Victor Kiplangat of Uganda leading the pack. The pack stayed huge through halfway (1:05:19), with 34 men within 2 seconds of each other. The steady 2:10 marathon pace continued to whittle the pack, which was down to 19 at 30km.

The only significant casualty during that time was Tadese Takele of Ethiopia, whose winning time of 2:03:23 at the Tokyo Marathon in March made him the fastest this year in the field. Takele stepped off the course in the 34th kilometre, as Kiplangat set the agenda for what was down to a 15-man pack.

The weather remained brutal (81 degrees, 71 per cent humidity) as the leaders reached 35km in 1:47:47, a slight increase in pace. How brutal? A minute later, Deresa Geleta of Ethiopia, the seventh fastest marathoner in history, came to a complete stop. In all, 22 of the 88 starters dropped out.

Just before the two-hour mark, defending champion Kiplangat lost contact. Instead, it was his teammate, the improbable and implacable Abel Chelangat, at the front of the pack. The largely unknown 2:08 marathoner looked ready to take over Kiplangat’s mantle and was still fronting the now five-man pack with one kilometre to go.

But bad things can happen quickly in the final mile of a marathon, especially hot, humid ones. Chelangat suddenly lost contact in the next 400 metres, and the three medals seemed decided. But who would get which?

Simbu moved to the front with 600 metres to go, but then almost missed the left turn into the tunnel that would spill the men out onto the track. It was Petros who led as they entered the final 350 metres. Simbu collected himself and latched on; Aouani was starting to lose touch, approaching 200 metres to go.

Petros entered the final straightaway in the lead. Simbu challenged him once, which spurred the German to accelerate. He seemed to be pulling away, but couldn’t sustain his drive. Simbu closed, closed, and closed again until both men threw themselves at the tape. Only when the official results flashed on the scoreboard did Simbu know he had won.

World Athletics Championships – Men’s Marathon Top 10

1. Alphonce Felix Simbu (Tanzania), 2:09:48
2. Amanal Petros (Germany), 2:09:48
3. Iliass Aouani (Italy), 2:09:53
4. Haimro Alame (Israel), 2:10:03
5. Abel Chelangat (Uganda), 2:10:11
6. Yohanes Chiappinelli (Italy), 2:10:15
7. Gashau Ayale (Israel), 2:10:27
8. Samsom Amare (Eritrea), 2:10:34
9. Clayton Young (United States), 2:10:43
10. Isaac Mpofu (Zimbabwe), 2:10:46

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The current South African 5 000 and 10 000 metre, as well as the 10-kilometre road record holder, clocked an outstanding 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 22 seconds, to shave 1 minute and 40 seconds off the course record (2 hours, 24 minutes, and 2 seconds) as well as a further second off Gerda Steyn’s previous best marathon time for a South African (2 hours, 24 minutes, and 3 seconds). The 2024 men’s champion, Abdisa Tola also broke the course record – though his impressive feat was somewhat overshadowed by Xaba’s performance.

I didn’t want to say before the race, but my goal had been the course record…

Xaba was joined on the start line by 16 800 fellow starters and the deepest ever field assembled for a marathon on African soil. Sadly, the Cape Doctor, as the Mother City’s prevailing summer south easterly wind is known, did not get the memo.

Xaba and her fellow elite women had started fast, with the pacesetters maintaining a tempo faster than the record pace. Fellow South African pre-race favourite, Cian Oldknow, opted not to go with the pacesetters and was out of contention for a podium place early on.

One by one the women dropped from the group, but Xaba and Mare Dibaba Hurssa ensured the pace never eased off. It was a surprise when the defending champion, Tsige Haileslase, was distanced near the 30km mark. This was the first sure sign that records would tumble.

Coming into the final 10 kilometres only Kenyna’s Pascalia Chepkogei remained in contention with the South African and Hurssa, the 2015 World marathon Champion. After stretching their legs on the downwind gallop through Sea Point the top three turned for home with 4 kilometres to go. This U-turn meant they would run the closing kilometres into a headwind, which suited the powerful style of Xaba. She distanced Chepkogei and finally Hurssa, to enter the finishing straight alone.

Soaking up the applause, Xaba crossed the line with both the South African and Sanlam Cape Town Marathon records comfortably secured.

“I didn’t want to say before the race, but my goal had been the course record,” Xaba smiled. “I didn’t want to put extra pressure on myself. Even if I had finished in 2:26 I would have been happy, because this was my first marathon. But I’m honestly shocked to have broken the course and national record. I’m humbled to have taken Gerda [Steyn]’s South African record.”

Reflecting not only upon her rival’s stellar debut but also on Ruth Chepngetich’s World Record breaking run in Chicago, the week before, Dibaba Hurssa said: “The women’s marathon is getting really, really, fast. I hope that this generation will keep setting faster times and that the generation to come are inspired by them to run even quicker.”

“I was feeling really strong and my training had made me very relaxed coming into the race,” Xaba noted. “From kilometres 5 to 25 I felt good, the first 21 kilometres were basically a tempo run for me. Then for a bit until the 33km mark I had to stay strong, focused, and brave because I dropped off the front group slightly. Once I worked my way back, I felt good again and was able to push to the finish.”

Xaba’s margin of victory was 15 seconds over Hurssa. Chepkogei was third, 28 seconds off Xaba’s winning time. Viola Chepngeno and Emmah Cheruto Ndiwa, both of Kenya, completed the top five places. Oldknow finished 13th, 20 minutes down.

South African Women’s Marathon Progression
2:22.22 Glenrose Xaba, Cape Town, 2024
2:24.03 Gerda Steyn, Valencia, 2023
2:25.28 Gerda Steyn, Siena, 2021
2:26.35 Colleen de Reuck, Berlin, 1996
2:27.36 Frith van der Merwe, Port Elizabeth, 1990

Men’s Race
In the men’s race the battle for victory went into the final kilometres too. It had seemed from early in the race that the battle for victory would be fierce, but only a fast second half ensured that the course record was broken. Having set the previous best men’s time in 2018 Stephen Mokaka was the chief pacesetter for the 2024 race.

He took a strong lead group through the first 25 kilometres in 1:16:47 before the attacks splintered the field. South African favourite, Melikhaya Frans was the first to surge as they passed through Observatory. His move pulled five Ethiopians clear, these included the eventual winner as well as Gaddisa Tafa Dekeba, Mitku Tafa Dekeba, Adeladlew Mamo Gebreyohannes and Adane Kebede Gebre.

Over the next five kilometres the men from the mountainous nation worked Frans out of the lead group and then whittled it down to just Mitku Tafa Dekeba, the defending champion Kebede Gebre and Tola.

A lot of hard work went into this run. It was a beautiful race and I’ll certainly be back to defend my title.

“Once we passed the 33 kilometre mark I knew the three of us would be battling for victory,” Dekeba reflected. “At that point I was happy it would be an Ethiopian 1, 2, and 3.”

Dekeba was the first of the three to suffer as they rounded the final bend and began the headwind slog along Beach Road towards the Green Point finish line. This left Kebede Gebre and Tola in a two-way tussle for the title. Striding into the wind the younger Tola brother, whose elder brother Tamirat Tola was crowned Olympic Marathon Champion in Paris, was able to dig deep and surge clear.

With the win secured Tola was able to enjoy the finish line and celebrate his new course record. Crossing the line in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 16 seconds the 24-year-old did enough to shave 15 seconds off Mokaka’s six-year-old benchmark. Kebede Gebre had to be content with second, 16 seconds back. Dekeba completed the all-Ethiopian podium ahead of Edward Konana Koonyo, of Kenya. Frans was the first South African home in fifth.

“I earned what I trained really hard for today,” Tola acknowledged. “A lot of hard work went into this run. It was a beautiful race and I’ll certainly be back to defend my title.”

Results

Men’s Results

1. Abdisa Tola (2:08:16)

2. Adane Kebede Gebre (2:08:32 | +16)

3. Mitku Tafa Dekeba (2:10:10 | +1:54)

4. Edward Konana Koonyo (2:11:24 | +3:08)

5. Melikhaya Frans (2:12:18 | +4:02)

Women’s Results

1. Glenrose Xaba (2:22:22)

2. Mare Dibaba Hurssa (2:22:36 | +15)

3. Pascalia Chepkogei (2:22:49 | +28)

4. Viola Chepngeno (2:23:23 | +1:02)

5. Emmah Cheruto Ndiwa (2:25:14 | +2:53)

The post Glenrose Xaba Shatters SA and Cape Town Marathon Records on Debut appeared first on Runner's World.

Chances are you’ve made the same mistake of going out too fast in a race like the marathon and ended up paying the price later. Maybe the hype of the crowd gets you moving or pre-race butterflies push you to pass runners sooner than expected. Whatever the cause, it’s very easy to get caught up in a pace that’s too quick. But it makes for a much harder effort down the line.

To learn how to hone a smarter race strategy in the early kilometres, Runner’s World spoke to two coaches who guide athletes in events ranging from cross-country races all the way up to the marathon. Here’s the advice they share with their athletes.

Use the Beginning as an Icebreaker
Raul Arcos, an elite marathoner and coach who founded Running Lobos, encourages his athletes to think of the first five kilometres of a marathon as an “icebreaker,” meaning use the early section of the race to gauge the competition and how you’re feeling. “Know who is going at what pace, and if you need to stick with the pacesetters, stick with them because they know what they’re doing,” Arcos tells Runner’s World.

If done correctly, Arcos says his marathoners should feel at ease and almost surprised when they look at their watch and see they’re running race pace in the first five kilometres. “Once you get into that rhythm after 5 kilometres, you should be locked into the race, follow the game plan, and try to pick it up in the second half because the race doesn’t start until kilometre 32,” he says.

Practice Discipline and Confidence
Andrea Grove-McDonough, the director of cross-country and track and field at the University of Toledo, likes to remind her athletes they can’t win the race in the first 1000m, but they can lose it.

At the top level women race 6K and men race 10K in cross country, distances in which every kilometre counts, especially at the top level where the competition is fierce. Often, if athletes push too hard early on, they run out of gas and fall back in the last kilometre or so. Grove-McDonough wants them to avoid that, so she emphasises that successful runners typically conserve energy and emerge later in the race.

Unless a runner is the class of the field, Grove-McDonough advises them to stay disciplined and have confidence to avoid the mistakes and meet their individual goals. “I’ve always found the more confident I was as an athlete and the more confident my team is in themselves as a squad and individually is when they know they can stick to their game plan,” she says.

To do that, Arcos recommends practising visualisation for races, workouts, and training runs. Picture how you want the race to play out, what pace you hope to run, when to surge, and how it should feel throughout the effort, and put that visualisation into action.

Don’t Get Too Hyped by the Crowd
Big races, especially major marathons, often take place in front of thousands of people. The cheers of the crowd can lift you up and encourage you to pick up the pace, but amid the rush it’s important to run controlled through those early kilometres.

Despite receiving this warning ahead of time, Arcos still got sucked into the hype of the crowd in his marathon debut, he says. At the 2016 Chicago Marathon, he went out too quickly and got a hamstring cramp with just a few kilometres to go. After receiving a 25-minute massage in the medical tent, Arcos jumped back on the course and finished the race much slower than his goal time, but he learned a valuable lesson that day.

Run Your Own Race
A big part of the fun of racing is beating competitors to the line. But often, it’s a balance between pushing yourself against the competition and trusting your race plan. To help her athletes follow their plan, Grove-McDonough encourages them to stay disciplined.

“If someone you know is out in front of you that you don’t necessarily think should be, or is at a pace that’s too fast, there’s two scenarios, either they are going to beat you and there’s nothing you can do, or they will come back to you,” she says. “Think of it as it’s their mistake to make.”

Grove-McDonough tells athletes to have an understanding of their body’s signals as the race progresses, trust their race plan, and know that sometimes “nerves can lie to you,” meaning your legs may feel more tired than they actually are due to adrenaline or vice versa at the start of a race.

“It should feel like you’re slightly holding back because your adrenaline and nerves are so high, but it’ll make things feel easier than they are,” she says. “It’s almost a false flag. It’s supposed to feel easy in the first kilometre....and then you’re going to have to trust.”

Avoid Panic
If your nerves get the best of you and you find yourself winded too early, it’s important to remain calm. When her athletes make that mistake, Grove-McDonough tells them to embrace the pain. “A tiny bit of humor can also help, like this might get ugly, but now I’m just going to have to put my head down,” she says.

To help them stay tough through the remainder of the race, Grove-McDonough encourages her athletes to mentally break it down into manageable chunks. “You can do anything for three minutes,” she says.

Reframing the effort can also help runners stay engaged in the race. Grove-McDonough tells her athletes to “give themselves a job.” For example, passing the runner ahead of them, staying with a pack, or closing the distance between themselves and another runner are common instructions she gives her athletes to tackle the competition.

The post 7 Tips to Avoid Going Out Too Fast in a Race appeared first on Runner's World.

• Men’s equivalent marathon performance, according to World Athletics: 1:59:35
• Chepngetich’s average pace per 5K: 15:24.0
• Chepngetich’s average pace for one lap of a standard outdoor track: 73.92 seconds
• Amount by which Chepngetich broke Tigist Assefa’s previous record of 2:11:53: 1 minute, 57 seconds
• Place that 2:09:56 would have finished in today’s men’s race: 10^th
• Chepngetich’s halfway split: 64:16. Her split would have put her fifth on the all-time list of half marathon performances.
• Number of women besides Chepngetich who have run faster than 64:16 in an open half marathon: 3
• Average of Chepngetich’s three fastest marathons: 2:12:57
• Number of women who have run one marathon faster than 2:12:57: 1
• The Chicago Marathon is now the site of the existing men’s and women’s marathon world records. Kelvin Kiptum set the men’s mark, 2:00:35, in Chicago in 2023. Kiptum died in February in a car accident in Kenya, at the age of 24. 
  
• At halfway, her split of 1:04:16 would have put her fifth on the all-time list of half marathon performances.
• Chepngetich won the Chicago Marathon in 2021 and 2022, and she finished second in 2023. It was 2022 when Chepngetich ran her previous personal best, 2:14:18. Before today, that time ranked her fourth all-time among women’s marathoners.
• The winning men’s time at the Sanlam Cape Town marathon in 2023 was 2:11.28 by Ethiopian Adane Gebre.

The post Amazing Stats from Ruth Chepngetich’s Marathon World Record appeared first on Runner's World.

Another simple equation multiplies your half-marathon time by the same factor – 2.085 – to predict your marathon time. But this is where the model starts to falter: a two-hour half-marathon runner, for instance, would have a predicted marathon time of 4:10, which I suspect is unlikely for the vast majority of two-hour half-marathoners. My gut tells me 4:30 would be a more likely target.

In this case, using this type of calculator would be a disaster, because you’d start off at an unsustainable pace, and then probably blow up in the last 10km.

IMPROVING ACCURACY

A group of statisticians have attempted to improve the accuracy of calculated predictions. To do this, they surveyed thousands of runners, recorded their best recent times over a range of distances, and then ran some statistical models to develop a more stringent prediction.

They found that the 2.085 factor works when going from 5km to 10km – so you can keep using that one. But for a marathon, you should multiply your half-marathon time by 2.19, not 2.085. So our two-hour runner would now be aiming for 4:23. I think that’s still slightly fast, but at least it’s closer.

Still, their predictions won’t be perfect, because they didn’t take into account gender, age, and both long-term and short-term training history. But even if they had, accurate assessment of these factors can be difficult.

THE REAL VALUE

In my opinion, these prediction tools can be used ‘diagnostically’ to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, because you can compare your progression of times across a range of distances to that of the ‘typical’ runner.

For example, let’s say you’re a 25-minute 5km runner, which means your predicted finishing time for 10km is 52:07. But when you attempt to run this time, you find the pace is too demanding. At 7km, you falter, and end up running a time of 53:45 instead.

What lesson does that teach you? I’d say you’ve discovered that your 5km is (relatively) stronger than your 10km, because you haven’t been able to follow the typical progression of time as you’ve added distance. Therefore, your endurance is weak. If you want to address that, you need to focus on longer runs, strength training, longer intervals, and aligning your 10km ability with that of your 5km.

Similarly, if you go out and run a 51:20 – much faster than predicted – then you’ve diagnosed a weakness in your speed over shorter distances, in which case it’s time to tackle some training that will improve your speed.

For the marathon, the implications of not meeting the prediction are even more stark. Which explains why many runners with decent 10km and 21km times fall horribly at the marathon, finishing in a much slower time than predicted.

The post How To Predict Your Marathon Time appeared first on Runner's World.

Durban International Marathon is the last World Championships Qualifying Marathon Event in 2025. Qualifying time for Men is 2:06:30 and Women  is 2:23:30

Medals will be awarded to all finishers!

42,2km

• START 06h30 Prospecton Road
• CUT OFF 6hrs
• FINISH Moses Mabhida People’s Park

10km

• START 07h00 Suncoast Casino
• CUT OFF 2hr 30min
• FINISH Moses Mabhida People’s Park

For more information and to enter, click here

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Date: Sunday 23 February 2025

Location: Maseru Club, Maseru Lesotho.

Distances: 1.6km, 5km, 10km, 21.1km, 42.2km

Start times: 

42.2km – 05:30hrs

21.1km – 06:00hrs

10km – 06:30hrs

5km – 07:00hrs

1.6km – 08:00hrs

Race pack collection:

Thursday 20th February 2025, 08:00 – 20:00

Friday 21st February 2025, 08:00 – 17:00

For more information and to enter, click here

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Tigst Assefa, the world record holder from Ethiopia, finished second in 2:22:58 to earn the silver medal. (Hassan and Assefa tangled in the final chute before the final kick to the finish.) Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, winner of the last two Boston Marathons, came across in 2:23:10 for bronze.

“I have no words. Every moment in the race I was regretting that I ran the 5000 metres and 10 000 metres,” she said afterward. “I was telling myself if I hadn’t done that, I would feel great today. From the beginning to the end, it was so hard. Every step of the way. I was thinking, ‘Why did I do that? What is wrong with me?’ If I hadn’t done it, I would feel so comfortable here.”

Every moment in the race I was regretting that I ran the 5000 metres and 10 000 metres…

To deal with the rising temps on the course (the race began at about 19 degrees Celsius, and the sky was crystal clear on the final day of Olympics), Hassan mirrored a handful of her competitors in wearing a headband cooling device seen on the heads of men like Eliud Kipchoge on Saturday.

By the 20K mark, Hassan had chipped away at the lead pack and hung off the back of them on the first block of uphills on course. By the 30K mark and final major climb, Hassan was still in the chase and used the large downhill to move up with them — Assefa, Obiri, Sharon Lokedi, and Amane Beriso Shankule — on their way back to central Paris.

“The moment I started to feel good at 20K, I felt so good. Then I knew I wanted gold,” she said. “But everybody else was fresh and all I was thinking was, ‘When are they going to break? They’re going to go hard, they’re going to go hard.’”

Within the final 5K, it was still down to five runners as they approached the finish line at Esplanade des Invalides. The podium and the gold medal would likely be decided by a sprint at the end between five of the best marathoners of all time.

Eventually, Hassan and Assefa separated themselves from the pack, even making contact with each other in the final sprint to the finish. Ultimately it was Hassan — with her strong track resume and patented kick — who won the race to the finish line.

“I feel like I am dreaming. I only see people on the TV who are Olympic champions,” Hassan said. “The marathon is something else, you know. When you do 42 kilometers in more than two hours and 20 minutes, then every single step you feels so hard and so painful.”

With the pressure, the 31-year-old Dutch wonder said she probably over-trained throughout the year to get ready, causing her to take extra recovery time. Throughout the week with media she regularly brought up how the marathon on Sunday was looming on her mind.

“To finish the marathon is a kind of hell. It’s not easy,” she said after the 10,000 metres. “The real one will start Sunday.”

Hassan is truly an adaptive runner who has won international medals in every distance from the 1500 mete#res up through the 10,000. In Tokyo, she ran the 1500-, 5,000-, 10,000-metre triple, earning three medals (bronze, gold, gold, respectively).

When she made the jump to the marathon in 2023, she instantly took to 42.2 kilometres as well. She debuted at the 2023 London Marathon with a win in 2:18:33. By the time she ran the 2023 Chicago Marathon, she had seemingly mastered the craft of the distance, winning with a 2:13:44 — the second fastest women’s marathon time ever.

Hassan had an incredible week of racing. With the marathon and her 10,000 metre run and two rounds of the 5,000 metres, she did just over 62 kilometres in Paris. If you ever wondered “is there a difference between 5K pace, 10K, pace, and marathon pace” for your own workouts, you could look at Hassan’s average pace per kilometre in each event to see that there’s not one pace for every hard run.

• 5000-metre final: 2:54 per kilometre
• 10 000-metre final: 3:05 per kilometre
• Marathon: 3:23 per kilometre

The post Sifan Hassan Caps Off 62 kilometres of Olympic Racing with Marathon Gold appeared first on Runner's World.

The final weekend of the 2024 Paris Olympics will host back-to-back days of thrilling marathons. These prestigious races, set against the backdrop of two of France’s most iconic landscapes — Paris and Versailles — will weave through a tapestry of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery. They begin on August 10 with the men’s race, and then, in a nod to the 40th anniversary of the first women’s Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles, the Paris Olympics will conclude on August 11 with the women’s race for the first time in history.

To put the course into some more perspective, the World Marathon Majors that are considered the hilliest — Boston and New York City — each have an elevation gain of a little over 243 total metres. And for one final nugget, the average grade of the Mount Washington Auto Road Race is 12 percent.

This course will make the fastest marathoners in the world look almost human at times.

How do the marathoners feel about the course?
Pat Tiernan, an Olympian for Australia who is running the marathon, made two trips to Paris from his training base with Puma in North Carolina to examine the course. His first trip, in early April, was just to get a feel for the course. The second, in late May, was to train on it.

“The first thing you notice,” Tiernan said in a phone call with Runner’s World, “is that it’s going to be a brutal course. There are going to be people walking.”

If you look closely at the official Strava route, you can spot some U.S. Olympic marathoners on the leaderboards of the course’s toughest segments.

On April 10, U.S. team member Clayton Young did a 20.5-kilometre run on the hilliest section of the course, where he “pushed the uphills, chilled the downhills.” During the steepest climb — right before the kilometre 29 split — Young tackled a 700 metre segment in 3:09, giving him a modest average pace (for a world-class marathoner) of 4:21 per kilometre. But if you look at Strava’s “grade adjusted pace,” which factors in elevation, that 7:01 converts to 3:08 kilometre pace. His average heart rate was 179 beats per minute.

Dakotah Lindwurm, a U.S. team member for the women, also previewed the course in April in a run she called, “Tour de La Olympic hills 🥴].” She racked up an impressive 16 “course records” during her 10.87 kilometre workout, and on the same steep segment that Young ran, she averaged 4:48 pace with a grade-adjusted pace of 3:20 per kilometre.

Emily Sisson, the U.S. record holder in the marathon, has been training for both the hills and the flats. “We’ve been doing a lot of stuff on hills, because [we] want to come out of the hills into the last 10K feeling good,” she says. “That’s also why you don’t want to slack on 10K work, because it could be quite fast at the end. So kind of trying to do it all.”

Tiernan agreed with Sisson on the unique challenge. If marathoners go too hard through the hills, they could struggle at the end, he said. If they go too easy through the hills and subsequent descents, they might be out of touch by the final 10K. He said the Paris course is as “if you were to do a 10K road race, then go and run a hard 10K hill cross country course, then a 10K road race.”

If nothing else, it could make for some surprises on the podium.

When exactly are the races?
The men’s event happens on Saturday, August 10. If you want to watch live, get your favorite espresso ready. The event begins at 8am.  The following day for the women’s race, the 2024 Paris Olympics fully conclude in honor of the 40th anniversary of the first women’s Olympic marathon event, won by Joan Benoit-Samuelson. The start time is also at 8am.

Who are the major names in each race?
Both races are packed with star power in the form of returning Olympic champions, world record holders, and World Marathon Majors winners. The biggest storyline in the men’s race is whether Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic marathon gold medalist who many consider to be the greatest of all time, will be able to retain his crown in what may be his final Olympics at age 39.

The women’s event is even more stacked and should make for quite the event to cap off the 2024 Olympics. Newly ratified world record holder Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia will have to match speed and strategy against the likes of Hellen Obiri and Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya and the Netherlands’s Sifan Hassan, who is running the marathon after racing in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters on the track.

Men’s Marathon Contenders

• Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya (2:01:09)
• Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia (2:01:41)
• Benson Kipruto, Kenya (2:02:16)
• Tamirat Tola, Ethiopia (2:03:39)
• Conner Mantz, USA (2:07:47)
• Clayton Young, USA (2:08:00)

Women’s Marathon Contenders

• Tigist Assefa, Ethiopia (2:11:53)
• Sifan Hassan, Netherlands (2:13:44)
• Peres Jepchirchir, Kenya (2:16:16)
• Emily Sisson, USA (2:18:29)
• Hellen Obiri, Kenya (2:21:38)
• Rose Chelimo, Bahrain (2:22:51)
• Fiona O’Keeffe, USA (2:22:10)
• Sharon Lokedi, Kenya (2:22:45)

Did you know there is a mass participation race?
If not, now you do. It’s called the Marathon Pour Tous, and we’re pretty jealous we can’t run this one. There will be a full marathon and a 10K on the same route as the Olympic marathon on the evening of August 10. Yes, a night race in the City of Lights. More than 20,000 participants are expected for each event.

—Taylor Dutch, Theo Kahler, and Cindy Kuzma contributed to this story.

The post What You’ll Want to Know About the Paris Olympics Marathon Course appeared first on Runner's World.

We will be offering a 42km distance as well, adding scenic extra trails along the foot of the Helderberg Dome and Suurberg.

Starting at Waterford, you’ll past a great number of indigenous trees that are approved by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as part of an attempt to sustain the ecosystem on the farm.

The 21km route will head up to the foot of the Dome, the Driekoppen peaks and some stunning trails at De Trafford Wines.

Distances & Starting Times:

42km – 07:00

21km – 08:00

8km – 09:00

Price:

42km – R960

21km – R520

8km – R280

Where:

Waterford Wine Estate

General:

•    Hydration packs are compulsory on the 21 & 42km run

•    Water bottles/bladder

•    Rain Jacket

•    Charged Phone

•    Aid Stations provided on all 3 distances

•    Please SHARE A RIDE with a friend, to reduce traffic to the venue

•    No dogs allowed

For more information and to enter, click here

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The post Sportsmans Warehouse Winelands Marathon appeared first on Runner's World.

Saturday, 21 September – Sunday, 22 September 2024

Alexandria Farm, Tweespruit, Free State

The race starts and ends at the Race Village on Alexandria Farm.

Distances available:

• 42km Ultra Extreme
• 21km Mountain Goat
• 10km Ox Wagon
• 5km Cathedral Trail
• Wildebees Challenge (4km)

Food and Refreshments

The locals from the district will cater on Saturday throughout the day, and you can indulge in farm-style catering, ice-cold refreshments, and more.

This event aims to be a family day with lots of “gees.” Come and relax under the trees while cheering the runners as they cross the finish line.

Bring the kids; there will be a jumping castle and plenty of clean, fresh air to enjoy.

The event is pet friendly. Your pet must be on a leash and controlled at all times.

For more information and to enter, click here

The post Ultra 360 Alexandria Trail Challenge appeared first on Runner's World.

You will delve deep into age old indigenous forests and scale heights where the views are expansive all while traversing this corner of the earth with us.

So make this your real get-a-way weekend experience and book now before the end of May for early bird  specials.

The accommodation is oh so comfortable and we will make your weekend an unforgettable experience.

The following distances will be available:

• Short course – 6km
• Medium course – 10km
• Long course – 20km
• Marathon course – 40km

More information: kzntrailrunning.co.za/events/ingeli-trail-2024/

The post Ingeli Trail 2024 appeared first on Runner's World.

Ditau Diarora Marathon is a running event in the Greater Taung (North West) that covers distances of 42km, 21km and 10km (including 5km Fun Run). Taung is a seTswana word meaning “a place of lions”, hence the name “Ditau Diarora” which basically means “Lions are roaring”.

The event takes places on the 15th December 2024 (05h30AM) at the Taung Community Hospital Sports Ground.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR ENTRY

☀ Event Performance T-Shirt

☀ Race Number, Safety Pins & Timing Chip

☀ Finisher’s Race Medal

☀ Finisher’s Race Certificate

☀ Refreshments Stations along the Route, every 3km

☀ Winning category prizes

For more information and to enter, click here

The post Ditau Diarora Marathon appeared first on Runner's World.

Top Tips
Practice everything
Wear the shoes and clothing in your long runs that you plan to wear on your big day. Sip the sports drink to be served on the course, and take gels and other fuel at the same intervals you will during your 42.2-K.

Dress light
On long runs and on race day, avoid the urge to overdress. Bundling up can cause you to overheat and get dehydrated; plus, you’ll have to carry those extra layers a long way. You should feel slightly cool for the first kilometre or two.

Start slowly
On race day, first-timers often get caught up in the excitement, go out too fast, and burn out. Run the first half conservatively – you should feel as if you’re running too slowly. Focus on keeping your breathing relaxed.

Click here to download your marathon training programme.

The post The First-Timer’s Marathon Training Plan appeared first on Runner's World.

Get ready to conquer the trails and experience the beauty of Paarl Mountain like never before!

Onsite Events is thrilled to present The Rock Ultra’s inaugural edition, scheduled for 7 December 2024.

The Rock Ultra Race Village, hosted at Ridgeback Wines in Windmeul, will serve as the pulsating heart of the event.

This event promises an unforgettable experience for both seasoned trail runners and beginners, offering three challenging distances:

• The Rock Ultra (100km)
• The Rock Marathon (44km)
• The Boulder Half-marathon of 22km

For more information and to enter, click here

The post The Rock Ultra appeared first on Runner's World.

UHTM is an iconic trail marathon held in the Upper Highway of Durban, South Africa linking many of the area’s amazing trails and conservancies.

Proceeds raised are donated to the conservancies to help sustain, support and showcase the natural beauty of the area.

What is included in the race entry:

• Mapped (GPX) and marked routes
• Goodie bag
• Water tables on each route
• Sweepers on each route
• Prizes for top 3 male and female runners (21km and 42km events only)
• Emergency response and support
• Finisher’s gifts for each event

More information: www.uhtm.co.za

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The Chokka Trail Run offers the following distances:  62km, 42km, 23km and 10km.  Prize giving for the 10km and 23km is at 10h30 and for the marathon and ultra marathon 12h30.  All participants will receive finisher medals.

Late registration and number collection will be on Saturday 9 August between 15h00 and 17h00 at the Cape St Francis Resort.

Race details:

62km:  Race briefing is at 06h45 and the race starts at 07h00.

42km:  Late registration from 06h45 – 07h00, race briefing at 07h00 and the race starts at 07h15.

23km:  Late registration from 06h45 – 07h15, race briefing at 7h15 and the race starts at 07h30.

10km:  Late registration from 07h15 – 07h45, race briefing at 07h45 and the race starts at 08h00.

Entry fees:

62km:  R1 400, R1 500 after 30 June.

42km:  R1 100, R1 200 after 30 June.

Entries received and paid in full before 30 June will receive a moisture management race shirt.  The entry fee also includes a race tracker which is compulsory.

More information: www.stfrancissport.co.za/

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RELATED: Three Ways to Calm Taper Anxiety

You’ll usually begin your taper about three weeks from your marathon or ultra, right after you’ve completed your last long training run. Below, we detail exactly what your taper should look like from three weeks out until your race day.

Three Weeks Out
Because the taper follows a fatigue-inducing period of high mileage, you’ll likely welcome these first days of cutting back. The combination of decreased mileage and increased rest can be invigorating – expect to feel excited, anxious, or both.

Reducing your total weekly volume by 20 to 25 percent during this week gives your body a chance to recover from all that hard work by restocking depleted glycogen supplies and repairing tissue damage. For example, if you were running eight kilometres during your shorter mid-week runs, run 6.5km ; if you ran 32 kilometres for the previous week’s long run, run 25.

RELATED: Avoid Those Taper Traps!

You should perform most of your runs at an easy pace. Runners targeting a time goal should do four to eight kilometres at goal pace during a long midweek run – key workouts like this will keep your body and mind tuned into race pace. Rest two days during this week.

Two Weeks Out
During week two of your taper, you’ll reduce your mileage an additional 20 to 25 percent, and you’ll run everything easy.

If you’re targeting a time goal, do the following key workout during one of your longer midweek runs. Warm up for 10 to 15 minutes, then run 1.5 kilometres at 30 seconds faster than marathon race pace, followed by 1.5 kilometres at 30 seconds slower than race pace. Repeat two to four times. When it comes to the track, if you usually run 10 x 400 at the track, adjust that workout to 8 x 400 during this time. Rest two days during this week.

Race Week
At this point, it’s all about staying rested and getting mentally prepared. This week, aim to sleep eight hours a night and stay off your feet as much as you can – reducing stress on your body will allow it to top off its glycogen stores and maintain adequate hydration levels. To combat nerves, schedule movie nights, start a new book, or visualise races you’ve enjoyed.

RELATED: Eating Well Through The Taper

Reduce your running to just four days this week. New marathoners may run no more than four to six kilometres at a time, while advanced runners may do a couple of nine kilometres early in the week. A very light, race-pace workout early in the week can help you stay sharp. Run two to six kilometres at marathon pace with a 1.5km warm-up and cool-down. You can also hit the track for 6 x 400 workouts. First-timers looking to simply finish shouldn’t worry about a sharpening workout. Just focus on the race and visualise your success. Rest three days this week to head into race day fresh. The preparation is done.

Trust the process, and then get out there and have fun.

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Venue: Lindani Game & Lodges

NEW EXCITING TRAIL RUNNING ROUTES!

This year you can look forward to running completely new routes from previous years.

With the format of the Mountain Bike event and the Trail Run event happening over the same weekend, this year, the trail running routes will follow similar routes to the mountain bike routes from the previous day.

Expect to be treated and challenged on super- fun trails through some amazing scenery.

What to look forward to:

• Running on Lindani’s stunning trails through the scenic Waterberg mountain bushveld amongst a diverse array of game species.

• Great Start/Finish Venue at Motseng village with good vibes and delicious food and beverages available. Bring the whole family.

• Custom Versus socks for all entrants of the full, half and quarter marathon distances

•  Medals for all finishers.

• Prize giving and podium presentation

For more information and to enter, click here

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A shakeout run can also provide exactly what you need to calm your race-weekend nerves.

To help you get the most of your shakeout, here are the benefits you can gain, plus a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind.

The Benefits of Shakeout Runs
A shakeout run means clocking a few kilometres at an easy pace a day or two before a half or full marathon. With a few precautions in mind, it can benefit you both mentally and physically.

“There’s activation, there’s mobility, there’s recovery, and all those things come together to create a great performance,” says Emily Booth, member of the NASM scientific advisory board, personal trainer, marathoner, and eight-time Boston Marathon finisher. Shakeout runs fall into the activation category. They can help promote blood flow, neurological activation, and neuromuscular activation, which is really helpful for runners who’ve been tapering for a marathon, Booth explains.

In short, shakeout runs are great for improving your mind-body connection the day before a race, helping you set a rhythm that will come in handy on race day. Plus, these quick and easy runs get your muscles ready to go for your race performance. For those who’ve spent a long time sitting while traveling via car or plane before a race, it’s extremely beneficial because a shakeout run can help loosen tense muscles, Booth adds.

Shakeout runs are also known for bringing runners together and fostering a sense of community, especially the day before big races like The Two Oceans or Comrades marathon. “There’s this unspoken energy about meeting with people, sometimes it’s described as electric and that emotion can be very uplifting,” says James McKirdy, the founder and head coach of McKirdy Training. Plus, it’s an experience you likely won’t forget.

Dos and Don’ts of Shakeout Runs

Do Go Slow
Consider your body’s glycogen stores as your personal energy bank account — you can only make so many withdrawals before you have to refill your account, says Booth. While it’s important to go for a shakeout run at least the day before a marathon to activate your muscles, stay aware of your pace, so you don’t over do it and have trouble replenishing your glycogen stores before your event, she adds. This means running your shakeout at an easy pace.

“If you’re going to run with other people, you should be able to hold a full conversation without huffing and puffing at all,” says Amanda Nurse, owner and founder of Wellness and Run Coaching, and 25-time marathoner.

Booth agrees, suggesting you pay attention to your breathing rate and muscle activation, as burning muscles can also indicate you’re running too fast. Think of your shakeout run effort as no faster than your slowest long run, adds Booth, who recommends aiming for a 3 out of 10 effort on the rate of perceived exertion scale, and staying within zone 1 or 2 if you’re monitoring your heart rate.

Most importantly, remember that a group setting can bring high energy, but being a smart runner means knowing and sticking with your own pace. “Nobody wins the shakeout run, no one wins the warm-up, and that’s what you’ve got to remember,” Booth says.

Don’t Spend Too Much Time On Your Feet
Account for the time you spend walking around and attending other race-related events over the weekend, so you can limit how much time you spend on your feet. McKirdy recommends choosing at most three race weekend events, especially if you’re running in a big city marathons

“It’s really easy to walk kilometres and kilometres on your feet the two or three days leading into the race,” says McKirdy. If it’s a walkable city, you can easily add thousands of steps to your day, which can be a shock to your body if you don’t typically walk that much, he adds. And that can affect your race performance.

Do Stick With Your Training Schedule
“If you don’t typically run the day before your long run or workout and that’s more of a cross-training day or a recovery day, keep it the same,” says Nurse. That means if a shakeout run won’t feel good to you, skip it.

Walking for up to 30 minutes, cycling at a low intensity for about 10 minutes, or running a 5K at an easy pace two days before a race are great alternatives to a shakeout run the day before, Nurse says. Just make sure you take the day off the next day, she adds.

Don’t Judge Your Potential By Your Shakeout Run Performance
Remember: The shakeout run is designed to help you “shake out” your muscles, which requires an easy pace. It’s also a good time to shake out any race jitters, so you can get into a positive mindset, if you haven’t done so already, for race day. It’s not the time to see how fast you can run and use it as a race day predictor.

If you do want to get the legs turning over faster though, Nurse recommends adding a couple of 20- to 30-second strides at a quicker pace, followed by a very slow pace or even a walk to the end of your shakeout run. This can help ease your nerves around performance, she says.

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Come Run Our Mountains!

The Titanic Challenge Trail Run is held to raise funds for the preservation of the Clarens Nature Reserve, the Clarens Village Conservancy.

It manages the Reserve and is a non-profit organisation. It is hosting a one-day trail running event that will allow runners and walkers to share the magnificent views and terrain of this mountainous area.

This event promises to be fun and challenging for both novices and experienced runners and one can choose from a 50km, 35km, 21km or a 10km route.

Race start times and cut off times:

• 50km 5.15 am START, 2.45pm CUT OFF
• 35km 7.00 am START, 2pm CUT OFF
• 21km 7.30 am START, 12.30pm CUT OFF
• 10km 8.00 am START, 12pm CUT OFF

For more information and to enter, click here

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We are excited to announce a new venue for the Milky Way Marathon in 2024. We were looking for a venue closer to Cape Town with similar dark skies to that of Sutherland and found the perfect site. At an altitude of 1100m, Leeuwenboschfontein offers an extraordinary view of the night sky that is nearly free from light pollution.

Why this race? 

In our rushed lives we just don’t slow down enough and enjoy our surroundings. We are too busy for sunset drinks. We don’t stop for a sunrise…segments, meetings, phone calls all chasing us to keep BUSY. The MWM will slow you down. It will force you to turn off your headlamp and look UP at the beautiful stars.

The run will have a scattered start during the afternoon, after the sun warmed up the crisp Karoo air. Different groups will be set off, depending on your estimated marathon pace. The aim would be for all to see the sun setting in the west as you drop down into the valley after tagging the highest peak (1418m) in the area.

More information: www.runventures.co.za

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The marathon which enjoys World Athletics Label Road Race status is set to bring together a wide range of athletes with elite runners hoping to earn a ticket to the Paris Olympics, others looking to qualify for the Comrades Marathon while some will be attempting to finish the distance for the very first time.

Entries have been streaming in for the marathon as well as the 10km race. With just over a month to go, athletes are urged to get their names into the hat.

Entry Fees:

• 42.2km – R400
• 10km – R220

#DurbanInternationalMarathon #WeRunDurban

For more information and to enter, click here

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One race tip is to start slow.

Although no one taking part has ever seen the elusive Knysna elephants, little piles of dung sometimes seen on the route are a reminder that they do inhabit the forest, somewhere.

Keeping this pristine environment in mind and the potential impact of the race on it, all runners share rides into the forest provided by local taxis to the race start in a clearing in the forest.

Runners arriving early are also treated to hot drinks and snacks next to warming fires.

• Race Date is 22 JUNE 2024.
• Compulsory Registration on 21 JUNE 2024 between 10:00 and 22:00
• Online entries only.
• No entries will be sold at registration or on race day.
• Half Marathon Entries Cost R250.00
• Full Marathon Entries Cost R270.00

For more information and to enter, click here

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The newly added Trans Xhariep Trail Run featured a 42km Ultra on the 9th and a 16km Lite on the 10th. Participants in both categories enjoyed dinner on the 8th, breakfast and dinner on the 9th, and tented accommodations. Manned water points with race food were strategically placed along the trails, ensuring the well-being and energy levels of the runners.

Trail Run Packages:

1. 42km Ultra on 9th and 16km Lite on 10th:

• All-Inclusive: R2695

1. 42km Ultra on 9th:

• Includes Dinner, Tent, and Breakfast: R1995

1. 16km Lite on 10th:

• Includes Dinner and Tent on 9th, Breakfast on 10th: R1650

Overall Experience:

The event’s organizers deserve applause for the seamless execution of the race and trail run, providing participants with top-notch amenities and a well-organized event. The inclusion of meals, tented accommodations, and the strategic placement of water points with race food showcased a thoughtful approach to participant well-being.

For more information and to enter, click here

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Start Times:
42.2KM – 05h15 from Main Road, Green Point
21.1KM – 07h00 from Children’s Way, Bergvliet

Enquiries about the event please contact:
Balwin Sport Peninsula Marathon 2024
Race Office
063 772 3537

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Comrades Marathon & Two Oceans Marathon qualifier.

Races

42.2km

• R400
• Start time: 06:00
• Start venue: Laerskool Oosterlijn

21.1km

• R250
• Start time: 06:00
• Start venue: Fortis Malega Hotel N4

10km

• R100
• Start time: 06:00
• Start venue: Sappi Skills Training Centre N4

Rules

1. The race will be run according to the rules of ASA, WORLD ATHLETICS (WA) & AMPU.

2. REFEREES’ DECISION IS FINAL.

3. Obey all Traffic Officials and Race Marshals.

4. Ages: Athletes for the 10km must be 14 years or older on the day of the race. Athletes for the 21.1 km must be 16 years or older on race day. Athletes for the 42.2 km must be 20 years or older on race day.

For more information and to enter, click here

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2 days | 42kms | 1500m+ Elevation Gain

Greyton Mountain Marathon, now in its fourth year, is a two-day stage race that winds along the upper contour of the Sonderend Mountains and the folds that encircle the towns of Greyton and Genadendal. The entire route is 42 kms spread over two days  – 21 kms on the Saturday and 21 on the Sunday. (Relay option included).

We’ve veered off the known routes for this one and included a big chunk of unmarked mountainside frequented only by local hikers and those who know their way around obscure hiking websites. It’s pure mountain running.

All proceeds from Greyton Mountain Marathon go towards Greyton House Bursary Fund, providing financial aid to children from disadvantaged communities attending Greyton House Village School. Each step you take supports this worthy cause!

Routes:

Day 1: 21 km | 1032 m elevation gain (green route, anti-clockwise)

Day 2: 21 km | 520 m elevation  gain  (blue route, anti-clockwise)

Included in your ticket:

• Event t-shirt

• Meal voucher to a choice of restaurants in town

• Starting line coffee for each day of racing

• Finish line beer for each day of racing

More information: www.facebook.com/greytontrail

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Following the pacemakers, Kipchoge asserted his dominance from the start, blazing through the first 5K in 14:12. Just one runner – Ethiopia’s Derseh Kindie – stuck with him; by 10K, they were a full minute ahead of the chase pack.

The pair crossed the halfway mark in 1:00:22. Kindie, who previously had a personal best of 2:08:23, held on through 30K, then dropped out shortly afterward.

ODD ANDERSEN//Getty Images

The Berlin Marathon has been the site of some of the greatest moments of Kipchoge’s career. He has won there four times before, twice setting the world record. In 2018, he took more than a minute off the previous world record, running 2:01:39. And in 2022, he lowered it by another 30 seconds with his 2:01:09.

Kipchoge, 38, was coming off an uncharacteristically lackluster performance at the Boston Marathon in April, when he finished sixth in 2:09:23. Observers were interested to see if Kipchoge could return to his previous form or if age and multiple marathoners were – finally – starting to catch up to him.

With 18 victories in 21 of his marathon starts, which include his two attempts at breaking 2 hours, Kipchoge is considered the greatest of all time. He has two gold medals in the Olympic marathon and has won 11 World Marathon Majors.

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STEERS OF HOPE is a registered Non-Governmental Organization raising awareness about cancer, giving support to cancer patients and survivors, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children.

What’s included in my entry?

• Event Performance T-Shirt
• Race Number, Safety Pins & Timing Chip
• Finisher’s Race Medal
• Finisher’s Race Certificate
• 12 x Refreshments Stations on Route
• Winning category prizes

For more information and to enter, click here

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Powerade Marakele Marathon

Experience this one-of-a-kind race through the scenic Marakele National Park, running wild and free through unfenced wilderness where the Big 5 can roam.

Whether you’re a family seeking an unforgettable adventure, a dedicated club runner, or a serious athlete, there’s a run for you.

The Powerade Maralele Marathon is a Two Oceans and Comrades qualifier.

When?

2 March 2024

Where?

Marakele National Park

Distance options

• 5km Fun Run
• 10km
• 21km
• 42km

Race Enquiries

Maryke: 084 416 3584

Corne: 082 568 0301

Accommodation: elisecoetzer65@gmail.com

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For the discerning trail runner who enjoys adventure and wilderness.

You need to be self-sufficient, there is no pampering other than of endless panoramic views.

A skyline trail around the amphitheater of the Kromrivier Valley.

The highest point of the trail is Donkerkloof Peak is at 1750 metres. Looking north you can see Sneeuberg, the highest summit in the Cederberg.The route traverses 6 Peaks, and each must be reached within a Cut off time, or you will be short coursed down the Valley.

But, we are generous and if you can hike fast, maintaining a reasonable tempo, you will enjoy a thrilling day out.

The total distance is 42km, and the elevation gain a very pleasant 2100m – we start at 1000m, at Kromrivier Farm.

2024 ENTRY INCLUDES:

• Race garment, cap and buff
• BuchuLife goodie bag
• Kromrivier Wine & Beer Tasting at Registration
• Registration Dinner – Friday – New
• Finishers Feast – Saturday
• Buffet Breakfast – Sunday – New
• Conservation & Trails fee

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The fast route provides an excellent opportunity for your best race results, and the marathon is a Western Province Championship Race.

All distances start at Table Bay Mall, where ample secure parking and toilet facilities are provided. All distances end at Eden on the Bay, where entrants will be offered a bus service back to the start.

Various restaurants will open early to provide coffee & breakfast options. Bring the family!

Get ready for your #BloubergMarathon and get your entry in today. 

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Showcase

Highlight the beauty of the extensive intertwining trails across private and conservancy land in the Upper Highway area.

Support

A race that embraces local conservancies and businesses of the Upper Highway.

Sustain

Proceeds from the race go back directly to the trail owners to invest in and maintain their trails so that they are preserved for all to enjoy.

ABOUT THE RACE

What is included in the race entry:

• Mapped (GPX) and marked routes
• Goodie bag
• Water tables on each route
• Sweepers on each route
• Prizes for top 3 male and female runners per event
• Emergency response and support
• Finisher’s gifts for each event

More information: www.uhtm.co.za

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On Wednesday, he revealed in an Instagram post that, because the longest he’d ever run previously was 17K (technically untrue according to his previous half marathon results), “I did what any normal person would do and took LSD” (the psychedelic drug, not “long slow distance”). Before the marathon, he’d also shared his oddly specific goal — which he met — of beating Oprah’s 1994 PR, when she ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 4:29. Some folks call it “the Oprah effect.” Diplo brought some bravado to Instagram on that front as well, saying, “I ate that. Sorry Oprah.”

He went on to thank Pappas for pacing him, and said, “Shout out to my knees which will never be the same, and my kids for waiting for me at the finish line. If anyone needs me I’ll be sitting down.”

Another runner, Michael Versteeg, has spoken about incorporating psilocybin mushrooms into his experience running the Cocodona 250, a 400K+ ultramarathon from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff, Arizona. Versteeg microdoses for his long runs and says while it’s not the same as full-on tripping, “you’re experiencing colours, you’re experiencing the landscape in a much more vivid way.”

The trusted advice many runners abide by is “nothing new on race day,” but Diplo doesn’t exactly play by the rules.

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BUT Ultra Trail run:

This race is completely self navigating and routes will NOT be marked

• 5 aid stations over the 2 days
• Race Briefing on both Friday and Saturday night at 18:00
• Finishers Medal
• Friday night Dinner
• Compulsory gear: Navigation equipment, trail running shoes, hydration pack that can be fulled at aid stations

BUT Xtreme Trail run:

• 4 aid station over the 2 days
• Race Briefing
• Finishers Medal
• Friday night dinner
• Compulsory gear: trial running shoes, hydration pack that can be filled at aid stations

BUT Berg and Chill Trail runs: 

• 1 Water point
• Finishers Medal

More information: bwktrail.wixsite.com/ultra

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Start times:

• 5km – 08h45
• 10km – 08h30
• 21.1km – 08h00
• 42.2km – 07h30

Note: The closing date for entry forms is Monday 17 July 2023. No late entries will be accepted.

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Although no one taking part has ever seen the elusive Knysna elephants, little piles of dung sometimes seen on the route are a reminder that they do inhabit the forest, somewhere. Keeping this pristine environment in mind and the potential impact of the race on it, all runners share rides into the forest provided by local taxis to the race start in a clearing in the forest, where runners arriving early are also treated to hot drinks and snacks next to warming fires.

More Information

• Refreshments, food, and other activities will be available on Friday 07 July, as well as on race day
• Ablution will be available at the Taxi pickup point, the starting point in the forest and at the finish venue.
• Results will not be posted to competitors after the race. An SMS will be sent to competitors after the race with the finishing time.
• Full results will be available on www.knysnaforestmarathon.co.za a few days after the race.
• Jetline Action Photo is the official race photographer, and the images can be ordered from them after the event.
• For up-to-date information and online entries go to www.knysnaforestmarathon.co.za

The post The Spar Knysna Forest Marathon – 38th Edition appeared first on Runner's World.

Enter now

All the races (62km, 43km, 23km and 10km) will take place on Sunday 6 August.  Prize giving will be at 12h30.

Accommodation

The Cape St Francis Resort offers a crazy weekend special:  book 2 nights and you get a third one free, while children under 12 stay for half price.  Contact Anita Lennox on reservations@capestfrancisresort.co.za to book.

More information: www.stfrancissport.co.za/

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– Online entries closes on 19 February 2023

Number collection and late line entries: 

–  Number collections will take place on Friday 10 March 2023 between 14:00h – 18:00h @ Aida Properties (38 Boundary Street, Tzaneen)

– And then on Saturday 11 March 2023 at the venue from 05:00h onwards.

– ASA License required for this event if you do not have an annual license. ASA Temp license can be purchased @ R40

Your Entry Includes:

– Finishers medal

– Goodie bag

– T-Shirt

– Foam peak

– Finishing cold drink/water

– Buff

What else will be there:

– Beer tent with craft beer from Endstreet Brewing Co.
– Food stall (food, chips, cold drinks and chocolates)
– Pancake stall
– Barista coffee stall (Krabbefontein coffee)
– Merchandise stall (brand TBC)

Route Descriptions:

5km:  

The 5km is a fairly undulating route that turns around before the serious Agatha hills start.

 10km:

The 10km is a challenging route with the turn about 2.5km down the famous Agatha hill.

 21.1km:

The 21.1km is a very tough route that goes all the way down the Agatha hill and then up again to the finish.

42.2km: 

The 42.2km is a category 5 marathon. On the circular route, there are breathtaking views that assists runners through the tough course.

Cut-off times for the 42.2km:

– 5 Hours at 32km.

– 6 Hours at finish.

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The 42km route features rugged Indian Ocean coastline trails, indigenous forests, river crossings, spectacular scenery and 7,000 steps on average. Every year the Otter African Trail Run hosts two cut-off time graded events:

• Otter – Challenge – Fearsome 11hr cut-off
• Otter – Race – Extreme 9hr cut-off

More information: https://otter.run/

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