April is where the running year starts to come alive. The big goals are close, the training is done or nearly there, and the calendar fills up with everything from fast, festive races to long, gritty challenges. It’s taper time for some, race season for others, and for many, the moment where all the early mornings and hard sessions begin to pay off.

We’ve put together some of our favourites…

Whether you’re chasing a PB, lining up for your first big race, or just soaking up the buzz of race day energy, April is packed with opportunity. We’ve put together some of our favourites, so lace up – it’s go time.

Saturday 04 April: Festival of Running in Nelson Mandela Bay 42km, 21km, 10km, 5km – Gqeberha
Looking for some great training over the Easter Weekend? Then this event is the one for you. This really is a running festival, with so many distances on offer. On top of all the road options, there are plans to have each distance also available as a beach run. And the great Eastern Cape scenery keeps the mind occupied while the legs are working.

Saturday 11 April: Richards Bay Hippo Marathon – Richards Bay
Named after Big Bertha, a hippopotamus that frequents the waters around the host Zululand Multi Sports Club, the Hippo Marathon is one of those out-of-the-big-city gems. Commended for its outstanding organisation, the race route takes runners along the coast, with only two steep climbs to contend with. The biggest challenge is the heat and humidity; the race organisers try to offset that by starting the race at 5am.

11-12 April: Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra and Half Marathon – Cape Town
What started as a 56km training run for the Comrades by a group of Capetonian legends is now one of the most iconic ultramarathons in the world. Now under new leadership and race management, it’s hoped that the organisational issues and hiccups that have persisted over the last few years are a thing of the past. But is there a road race route any more spectacular? We think not. The half-marathon also retains its place as the biggest in SA, and is instrumental in grooming runners to take on the ultra.

24-26 April RMB Ultra-Trail Drakensberg 169km, 100km, 61km, 33km, 25km – Premier Resort Sani Pass, Drakensberg
Incorporating some of the legendary features of the Southern Drakensberg, such as Sani Pass, Twelve Apostles, Khanti Ridge, Hodgson’s Peaks, Garden Castle, Rhino Peak and Langalibalele’s Pass, this event ensures participants will experience mountain running at its finest. The backbone of four of the five courses is the Giant’s Cup Trail, which is found in the Southern section of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. The Park was granted this status for two factors: its outstanding natural landscapes, and its cultural wealth of San rock art. Now you can run in it.

Saturday 25 April: Loskop Marathon 50km, 21km Wild Run, 10km – Middelburg to Loskop Dam Nature Reserve
With its rich history, the Loskop Marathon has often been named among the Big 5 ultras in the country. The classic course, on the rolling hills from Middelburg to the stunning Loskop Dam, is a tough one, and conditions can get warm. But the top-class organisation (and the festive finish-line venue at the dam) make this a ‘must do’ on any ultrarunner’s bucket list. The well-established half marathon, run around the dam, will be held for the 18th time this year, while the ultra comes up for number 38th.

Saturday 25 April: Black Mountain Ultra Trail 73km. 43km, 19km, 6km – The Karoo
Step off the beaten path and into something special at the inaugural Black Mountain Ultra Trail in the Karoo. This is more than a race – it’s an adventure through vast, untamed landscapes, from the rugged challenge of Die Hel to the historic Donkey Trail and the quiet beauty of endless Karoo singletrack. Expect big skies, raw terrain, and a trail experience that stays with you long after the finish line.

READ MORE ON: black mountain ultra trail Hippo Marathon Loskop Marathon RMB Ultra-trail Drakensberg two-oceans-marathon