The Running Mann's Guide to December Marathons

This article provides detailed information on all South Africa’s December marathons including race descriptions, recommendations and travel information.

For those that want to put a down payment on the festive food intake, there are just four marathons to choose from in December before the marathon running calendar goes on hiatus.

Summary

A summary of your choices is below:

What I’ll be running this December: Sedibeng Marathon.

Detailed Information

All race information, links, flyers and travel guidance* verified with race organisers (unless otherwise noted).

* For practical reasons, all directions are from central Johannesburg as (1) the majority of runners are Gauteng based, (2) I live in Johannesburg and (3) whilst all roads might lead to Rome, all roads in South Africa lead away from Johannesburg!

KFC PE City Marathon

This is a ‘city’ marathon that winds you through the countryside.

Full race report: PE City Marathon (Back2Back Marathon Weekend)

Race Date	Saturday 07 December 2019
Start Venue	African Sky’s Venue, Theescombe, Port Elizabeth
Route Type	Out-and-back
Website	https://crusadersathletic.co.za/pe-city-marathon-10km-information
Contact Details	Shaun Roberts +27 82 7111341 Charlie Rennie +27 78 0986384
Distance Options	42\10
Online Entries	https://entrytickets.net/pemarathon
Pre-entries Close	04 December 2019
Title Sponsor	KFC
Perm Numbers?	No
Entry Fee	R 160
Extras?	?
Late Entries?	Yes
# of 2018 Finishers	1028
Race Description	Although named PE City marathon, you start in Lorraine (a suburb on the outskirts of the city) and stick to the country districts (for much of the race you don’t feel like you’re in a city at all). This is a fast and flat out-small loop- and-back route. There are a few minor undulations along the way but my driveway is harder to run up than any of the hills on this race.
Why Run It?	If you’re in good form at the end of the year then this is a good marathon to race. A fast and easy course – unless the wind blows!
How To Get There?	Fly to Port Elizabeth and 10km (15m) drive or 1,050km (11h) drive
Accommodation Options	Check out Google for B&B and hotel options
What Else To Do There?	The Eastern Cape brands itself is ‘the adventure capital of South Africa’. Activities include big 5 game viewing, the longest zipline in SA, great blue flag beaches and sand boarding. Port Elizabeth has earned the nickname, ‘The Friendly City’ for its incredible hospitality.
Race Flyer	KFC_PE_General-Race-Rules-and-Information-2019 (1)

Prison to Prison Marathon

Full race report: Prison to Prison Marathon (The Breede Valley Jailbreak)

Race Date	Saturday 07 December 2019
Start Venue	Brandvlei Correctional Services, Worcester, WC
Route Type	Out-and-back
Website	N/A
Contact Details	Noel.Lakay@dcs.gov.za; noellakay@yahoo.com
Distance Options	42\21\5
Online Entries	N/A
Pre-entries Close	?
Title Sponsor	None
Perm Numbers?	No
Entry Fee	R 120
Extras?	?
Late Entries?	?
# of 2018 Finishers	410
Race Description	This marathon, run through the largest wine growing region in the country is a great way to end the year. The race starts and finishes inside the grounds of the maximum security Brandvlei Prison near Worcester. The route begins with a tour of the prison grounds before heading along the Brandvlei (“Burning Marsh”) Dam – so called because of hot springs that cause smoke on the water every morning. The rest of the route passes picturesque vineyards and farms before heading back to prison along the dam. Although you are constantly surrounded by mountains, the route itself is fairly flat.
Why Run It?	Make a weekend of it and enjoy a Breede Valley jailbreak.
How To Get There?	Fly to Cape Town; 110km (1h15) drive from the airport to the Worcester.
Accommodation Options	Worcester Accommodation Centre at Tel no: 023-3482795
What Else To Do There?	Check out: https://worcestertourism.com/
Race Flyer	Prison to prison

Sedibeng Marathon

Race Date	Sunday 08 December 2019
Start Venue	Vaal Show Grounds, Vereeniging
Route Type	Circular
Website	None
Contact Details	sedibeng.marathon@yahoo.com
Distance Options	42\21\10\5
Online Entries	https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1494533987
Pre-entries Close	01 December 2019
Title Sponsor	32Gi / Sportsmans Warehouse / Toyota Vereeniging
Perm Numbers?	Planned for future
Entry Fee	R 240
Extras?	Shirt (first 1,000 online entrants)
Late Entries?	Yes
# of 2018 Finishers	N/A
Race Description	A fast and flat single-lap route around Vereeniging. This is the inaugural running of the event.
Why Run It?	For those that like their marathons flat, the Vaal Triangle is the place to find them. The race promises a festive finish inside the Vaal Show Grounds as well as a “Super awesome medal”.
How To Get There?	65km (45m) south
Accommodation Options	Check out Google for B&B and hotel options
What Else To Do There?	Enjoy an afternoon at the Vaal Dam or check out https://www.vaalmeander.co.za/ for other options.
Race Flyer

Heroes Marathon

Full race report: Heroes Marathon, Mthatha (Back2Back Marathon Weekend)

Note: Although there is no flyer, online entries, etc. I have received assurances that the race is going ahead. This race has a habit of pulling things together at the last minute but please confirm directly with organisers if you are planning to travel for the race.

A friendly and festive marathon to end the year..

Race Date	Sunday 15 December 2019
Start Venue	Mthatha
Route Type	Point-to-point
Website	http://www.heroesmarathon.co.za/
Contact Details	manqoyigogo@gmail.com
Distance Options	42\?
Online Entries	Normally on Webtickets
Pre-entries Close	?
Title Sponsor	None
Perm Numbers?	No
Entry Fee	?
Extras?	?
Late Entries?	?
# of 2018 Finishers	277
Race Description	Heroes Marathon is a friendly, relaxed, point-to-point race from Mthatha airport to Qunu (pronounced [ˈk͡ǃuːnu]) – which is where Nelson Mandela grew up and is buried. The race route traces some of the steps the great man walked in the past. The first part of the route is from the airport back into Mthatha town and then you have a brutal climb as you head out along the N2 towards Qunu. Although you’re running along the national road, there are plenty of traffic police present ensuring that the runners are safe and the drivers calm.
Why Run It?	If you’re looking for a tough, relaxed and friendly marathon in the countryside this is a great choice.
How To Get There?	Expensive flight into Mthatha or Fly to East London & 230km (3h15) drive to Mthatha
Accommodation Options	Check out Google for B&B and hotel options
What Else To Do There?	Visit Nelson Mandela’s home and the Nelson Mandela museum or use as a base to explore the beautiful Transkei landscape.
Race Flyer	Not available

Notes

I will update this page as additional information becomes available/is provided.
If you have anything to add (or correct) please drop me a note.
I’m happy to answer any questions – feel free to contact me on social media Twitter / Facebook / Instagram
I plan to add route profiles and maps in future versions but don’t have time to chase these down at present.
Marathon/ultra race organisers: I will be in contact to get information for future events but feel free to jump the gun and contact me directly.

See you on the road!

Previous Months

#RunSouthAfrica

The Running Mann runs his marathons in shoes supplied by the Sweat Shop Broadacres and Asics South Africa.

Header photo: Taken during the Prison to Prison Marathon

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The Running Mann’s Guide to December Marathons