This article provides detailed information on all South Africa’s January 2020 marathons including race descriptions and recommendations.
South African marathons go on hiatus from the beginning of December until the middle of January. As a marathon running obsessive, I normally get withdrawal symptoms during the break (symptoms include a lethargy in the legs and a noticeable swelling in the belly) so I try to get my first marathon of the year done at the earliest opportunity. The good news is that there are seven magnificent options to choose from in January.
Summary
A summary of your choices is below:
Note to the reader: I am writing a monthly article detailing all the marathons and ultras on the South African running calendar which can be used as a definitive resource for the discerning marathon runner when picking their qualifiers and planning running holidays. Let me know if you have anything to add!
Recommended Runs
For the bucket list: Ottosdal Nite Marathon (quite simply a superb running experience at the only night marathon in the country).
For a fast time (those chasing a seeding): Mielie Marathon, Welkom (with Wonderpark Akasia and Johnson Crane being good runners-up)
For a good time (marathons packed with personality): Volksrust Marathon (great tables and the biggest medal in the country)
For a special time (hard to get to races that all ‘real’ runners should do at least once): Finlime Marathon, Lime Acres (in the middle of the Kalahari Desert)
For the first time: Johnson Crane. This Johnson has probably claimed more marathon running virgins than any other race in the country (and was my first bite of the marathon running cherry back in 2002). January’s biggest race will treat you well and still respect you in the morning.
Note: The following marathons were not considered for recommendations as I have not run them (yet): Redhill.
What I’ll be running this year: My third Mielie and first Redhill 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!
AEL Mielie Marathon
Full Race Report: Mielie Marathon (The Amaizeing Race)
| Race Date | Saturday 18 January 2020 |
| Start Venue | HTS Sports Grounds, Volks Road, Welkom |
| Route Type | Circular |
| Website | http://www.goudveldmultisport.co.za/ |
| Contact Details | goudveldmultisport@yahoo.com |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | https://www.entryrush.co.za/event/42nd-mielie-marathon |
| Pre-entries Close | 16 January 2020 |
| Title Sponsor | AEL Mining Services |
| Perm Numbers? | Yes (10th finish) |
| Entry Fee | R 130 |
| Extras? | A 1kg bag of mielie meal; shirt (first 100 entries). |
| Late Entries? | Yes |
| # of 2019 Finishers | 220 |
| Race Description | A single-lap marathon around the Free State’s second largest city. The route is flat and the support tables are friendly. This will be the 42nd running of the event (as such it is the oldest marathon in the States) and is my pick for a fast January qualifier. |
| Why Run It? | A fast, uncongested single-lap race that offers a permanent number to her regular customers. Get some Comrades tips from local legend Louis Massyn (47 Comrades finishes) along the route. |
| How To Get There? | 250km (2h30) drive from Joburg down the N1. |
| Accommodation Options | Check out Google for B&B options |
| What Else To Do There? | If anyone knows of anything worthwhile doing in Welkom (other than running a marathon) please let me know. |
| Race Flyer |     |
| Profile |
|
Finlime ‘Flat One’ Marathon
Detailed race report: Finlime Marathon (The Time I Ran a Marathon in Middle of the Kalahari Desert)
| Race Date | Saturday 25 January 2020 |
| Start Venue | Lime Acres Recreational Club, Central Avenue, Lime Acres |
| Route Type | Circular |
| Website | http://arulagroup.co.za/marathon.html |
| Contact Details | info@arulagroup.co.za |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | https://www.cognitoforms.com/ArulaGroupPtyLtd/FlatOneMarathonEFTPayment |
| Pre-entries Close | 06 January 2020 |
| Title Sponsor | Arula Group |
| Perm Numbers? | No |
| Entry Fee | R 160 |
| Extras? | Goodie Bag |
| Late Entries? | Yes |
| # of 2019 Finishers | ? |
| Race Description | If you fancy running a marathon in the middle of the Kalahari Desert then make a plan to include the one of the smallest Comrades qualifier in the country (just 22 finishers when I ran in 2018) into your running schedule. The route is fairly flat and the spectacular desert landscape is only broken by the odd diamond and lime mine. |
| Why Run It? | This is a truly unique marathon running experience and one I would recommend all South African runners make the effort to do at least once. |
| How To Get There? | 600km (6-7hr drive) from Joburg or fly to Kimberley and shorten the drive to 1h45. |
| Accommodation Options | Check out Google for B&B options or phone JD on 0832940993 for Hostel room bookings at venue. |
| What Else To Do There? | Bring a book and suntan lotion; You could use the marathon as a stopover on a road trip to the spectacular Augrabies Falls and/or Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park |
| Race Flyer |  |
| Profile |  |
Wonderpark Akasia Marathon
| Race Date | Saturday 25 January 2020 |
| Start Venue | Wonderpark Shopping Mall, Karenpark, Pretoria |
| Route Type | Double-lapper |
| Website | http://www.akasiaathleticsclub.co.za/mainrace.html |
| Contact Details | altje.conradie@absamail.co.za |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | https://www.entryrush.co.za/event/event-name |
| Pre-entries Close | 22 January 2020 |
| Title Sponsor | Wonderpark Shopping Centre |
| Perm Numbers? | No |
| Entry Fee | R 200 |
| Extras? | – |
| Late Entries? | Yes |
| # of 2019 Finishers | 1580 |
| Race Description | A flat double-lapper around the north of Pretoria and proof that a small running club (Akasia with just 65 members) can put on an excellent event. Not much of interest along the route but this a good option for Gauteng runners to get the first marathon of the year done. Although there is plenty of parking at the Wonderpark Shopping Centre, there are about 6,000 runners across all distances so allow time for the congestion. |
| Why Run It? | A good option for an early qualifier especially if you prefer getting your marathon over on a Saturday and/or miss out on Johnson Crane entries before they sell out. |
| How To Get There? | 80km (1h) drive but allow extra time for congestion. |
| Accommodation Options | Plenty of options in Pretoria. |
| What Else To Do There? | Put your body to the test by doing a comprehensive shopping expedition in the mall directly afterwards (personally I find one hour in the mall more tiring and harder on the body than running a marathon). |
| Race Flyer | Wonderpark Akasia Road Race Flyer 2020 |
| Profile |
Volksrust Marathon
Detailed race report: Volksrust Marathon (High Spirits in the Highlands)
| Race Date | Saturday 25 January 2020 |
| Start Venue | Volksrust Highschool |
| Route Type | Out-and-back |
| Website | http://volksrust.com/marathon/index-1.html |
| Contact Details | reiner@stucky.co.za; lindaduvenage@yahoo.com |
| Distance Options | 42\32\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | https://www.quicket.co.za/events/93239-volksrust-marathon-2020#/ |
| Pre-entries Close | 22 January 2020 |
| Title Sponsor | None |
| Perm Numbers? | No |
| Entry Fee | R 200 |
| Extras? | – |
| Late Entries? | No |
| # of 2019 Finishers | 99 |
| Race Description | An up and down, out and back route with some of the best support tables in the country. A bit of dirt road running is thrown into the end of the loop for those that like to get off the tar for a bit. Make sure you leave room in your tog bag for the medal – it is by far the biggest in the country! |
| Why Run It? | Enjoy complimentary coffee and rusks at the start and experience some of the best support tables in the country. Volksrust is an easy 3-hour drive from Joburg so it will probably take you less time to get to the start than it will to the Johnson Crane Marathon in Benoni. |
| How To Get There? | 240km (2h45) drive. |
| Accommodation Options | Plenty of good B&Bs – you should be able to find one within walking distance of the start. |
| What Else To Do There? | Use as a base to explore the Battlefields Route. |
| Race Flyer | Volksrust Marathon 2020 Flyer |
| Profile |
STBB Redhill Marathon
| Race Date | Saturday 25 January 2020 |
| Start Venue | Fish Hoek Athletic Club, Nelson Road, Silverglades, Fish Hoek |
| Route Type | Circular |
| Website | http://www.redhillmarathon.co.za/ |
| Contact Details | race@fishhoekac.com |
| Distance Options | 42\36\5 |
| Online Entries | https://www.racetraq.co.za/product/red-hill-marathon-and-classic-2020/ |
| Pre-entries Close | ? |
| Title Sponsor | STBB Legal https://www.stbb.co.za/ |
| Perm Numbers? | Yes (10th finish) |
| Entry Fee | R 160 |
| Extras? | – |
| Late Entries? | Yes (Late entries are R170) |
| # of 2019 Finishers | 1165 |
| Race Description | Abridged description from race site, “Runners will line up facing away from Peer’s Cave… The route then takes the runners through Kommetjie, Misty Cliffs, Scarborough, and at the Perdekloof Picnic site, the Marathon runners will veer off towards Cape Point for a 6km loop…[after which you] continue over Red Hill. The runners join up with the Simonstown Main Road at the end of Red Hill, and continue towards Fish Hoek.” |
| Why Run It? | Find out what happens if you kept running straight at Two Oceans instead of turning right towards Sun Valley. Looks like a stunner that explores the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula and one I will be working in to my 2020 running plans. Be aware that Fish Hoek is a dry suburb so you may have to smuggle your own beer to the finish line. |
| How To Get There? | Fly to Cape Town; 45km drive from the airport to Fish Hoek |
| Accommodation Options | Plenty of good options close to the start. |
| What Else To Do There? | Enjoy the beach unless it’s windy (then head for the wine farms). |
| Race Flyer | Redhill Final 2020 Flyer Front |
| Profile |
Ottosdal ‘Draf & Trap’ Nite Marathon
Detailed Race Report: Ottosdal Night Marathon (Testing the Limits of Delayed Gratification)
| Race Date | Saturday 25 January 2020 |
| Start Venue | Ottosdal Show Grounds, Koster Street |
| Route Type | Out-and-back |
| Website | https://ottosdaldrafentrap.co.za/ |
| Contact Details | willa@ottosdaldrafentrap.co.za |
| Distance Options | 42/21/10/5 |
| Online Entries | https://ottosdaldrafentrap.co.za/register |
| Pre-entries Close | 12 January 2019 |
| Title Sponsor | None |
| Perm Numbers? | No |
| Entry Fee | R 130 |
| Extras? | Shirt (first 1000 entries) |
| Late Entries? | Yes |
| # of 2019 Finishers | 243 |
| Race Description | With a 5:30pm start, this is the only night marathon in South Africa. An out-and-back, traffic-free route where lanterns line the road and guide you home after the sun sets. Ottosdal is the smallest town in the country to host a marathon and the town’s population more than doubles over race weekend (there are cycling events as well for the bike curious).
Enjoy the simplistic beauty of being out in nature as the sun starts to set. The profile is undulating although there are no major hills but a few good pulls that will give your legs a good workout while the declines allow your legs to enjoy a few sundowners. This race is also the meat in the marathon running weekend sandwich that allows hardcore runners to run three marathons in just over 24 hours (with Wonderpark Akasia and Johnson Crane providing the bread). |
| Why Run It? | Enjoy the novelty of running a marathon in the evening. Stick around at prize giving and you might be the lucky winner of a diamond. |
| How To Get There? | 240km (3h) drive west past Potch and Klerksdorp. |
| Accommodation Options | https://ottosdaldrafentrap.co.za/accomodation |
| What Else To Do There? | Ottosdal is an historic boer town. There is a full weekend of activities including mountain and road biking options for bi-pedalling bi-cyclists. Stick around afterwards to see if you are the lucky draw winner of a diamond and enjoy a ‘plaaspontbyt’ (farm breakfast) the following morning. |
| Race Flyer | Ottosdal-Draf-Trap |
| Profile |
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Johnson Crane Marathon
| Race Date | Sunday 26 January 2020 |
| Start Venue | Willowmoore Cricket Ground, Harper Road, Benoni |
| Route Type | Double-lapper |
| Website | http://johnsoncranemarathon.co.za/ |
| Contact Details | info@johnsoncranemarathon.co.za |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=4666 |
| Pre-entries Close | ? |
| Title Sponsor | Johnson Crane Hire |
| Perm Numbers? | Yes (10th finish) |
| Entry Fee | R 295 |
| Extras? | Shirt & Goodie Bag |
| Late Entries? | No |
| # of 2019 Finishers | 3905 |
| Race Description | This race lives up to the expectations that Benoni is the flattest, highest and most boring part of the highveld: The two mostly flat laps are run between an altitude of 1618m and 1664m through the city streets, suburbia and out into the countryside passed smallholdings. Watch out for the nasty ‘slow poison’ pull from 18 to 20km which you get to repeat at the end of your marathon. Powerade is available for marathon runners on the second lap and all participants receive an ice-cream in addition to their medal at the finish line. Although this is not the most interesting route (there has not been much interesting to look at since 1994 when Charlize Theron left for Hollywood), this race holds a special place in my heart since it was my debut marathon back in 2002 (when it was still a single-lap race). I enjoyed it enough to run 10 but have not run it since 2015 (after earning my permanent number and parole). |
| Why Run It? | With 14,000 participants across all distances, this is one of the biggest running events in the country and is by far the largest in January. It is normally very well organised with plenty for the family to do at the finish line. If you are short of clothes and cash, after the December holidays the race always has a quality shirt and goodie bag for participants. |
| How To Get There? | 30 minute drive along the N12. However traffic is very congested so you need to allow at least 90 minutes. |
| Accommodation Options | Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, The Flamingo Nest , Kaponong Hotel On Benoni Road, Hotels around OR Tambo |
| What Else To Do There? | Watch the planes coming in to land at OR Tambo; Try and talent search for the next Charlize Theron. |
| Race Flyer |   |
| Profile |
Note to 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.
Other Months
READ MORE: The Running Mann’s Guide to February Marathons
READ MORE: The Running Mann’s Guide to March Marathons
READ MORE: The Running Mann’s Guide to April/May Marathons
READ MORE: The Running Mann’s Guide to August Marathons
READ MORE: The Running Mann’s Guide to September Marathons
READ MORE: The Running Mann’s Guide to October Marathons
READ MORE: The Running Mann’s Guide to November Marathons
READ MORE: The Running Mann’s Guide to December Marathons
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The Running Mann runs his marathons in shoes supplied by the Sweat Shop Broadacres and Asics South Africa.
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