The Running Mann’s Guide to August / September 2022 Marathons & Ultras

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

An August Comrades’ means that there is no much happening over these two months but the few options available are quality runs.

A summary of all your choices is below:

August is particularly sparse. Apart from Comrades at the end of the month, your only other choice is on Women’s Day with Memel to Newcastle 51.2k run (or walk) which is a great community event.

The Voet of Afrika Marathon and Laingsburg 80k Ultra kick off September. These are both fantastic races that every ‘real’ marathon runner should do at least once.

Other September options are the Wolfpack Marathon – a very enjoyable trot around the Tzaneen Dam, the Elliot Madeira Marathon in Mthatha and a brand new marathon in eMalahleni.

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!

Memel Ultra

Detailed Race Report: Blood Buddy Ultra (The Legacy of a Schoolboy Dare)

Race Date	Tuesday 09 August 2022
Start Venue	Memel NG Kerk
Route Type	Point-to-point
Website	https://www.memelwalk.co.za/
Contact Details	info@champ.co.za
Distance Options	51.2
Online Entries	https://www.memelwalk.co.za/
Pre-entries Close	?
Title Sponsor	ITEC Newcastle
Perm Numbers?	Yes (5 finishes)
Entry Fee	R 150
Extras?	?
Late Entries?	?
# of 2019/20 Finishers	84
Race Description	A lowkey 51.2km race from Memel (the coldest town in the Free State) to Newcastle in Kwazulu Natal. The race is run along the along the historic Battlefields Route and provides breath-taking views once the early morning fog lifts. Expect great support tables and plenty of small-town hospitality along the way. Although the race starts over 1,700m above sea level and finishes around 1,200m, there is by no means an ‘easy ultra’. There are plenty of climbs along the way – and you’ll warm up quickly from your sub-zero start with a 17km climb to Botha’s Pass before dropping into Kwazulu Natal.
Why Run It?	A great way to spend your Women’s Day public holiday (ladies normally form the majority of the field).
How To Get There?	300km (3h15 drive) south
Accommodation Options	Recommended by the organisers: www.tramonto.co.za (Keyword Champ) www.avalonguestmanor.co.za
What Else To Do There?	Do a tour of the historic battlefields area.
Race Flyer	–
Profile

Comrades Ultra Marathon

Detailed Race Report: Comrades Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Run

Race Date	Sunday 28 August 2022
Start Venue	Durban City Hall
Route Type	Point-to-point
Website	https://comrades.com/
Contact Details	info@comrades.com
Distance Options	90
Online Entries	Closed
Pre-entries Close	Closed
Title Sponsor	None
Perm Numbers?	Yes (10 finishes)
Entry Fee	R 1,200
Extras?	Shirt, Goodie Bag
Late Entries?	No
# of 2019/20 Finishers	16712
Race Description	90 very hilly kilometres between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
Why Run It?	The oldest, largest and greatest ultra marathon on the planet.
How To Get There?	600km (6h) drive or 1h flight to Durban and 35km drive from King Shaka Airport.
Accommodation Options	Check out Google for B&B and hotel options
What Else To Do There?	Plenty of tourist options in and around Durban: http://visitdurban.travel/
Race Flyer	–
Profile

Voet van Afrika Marathon

Detailed Race Report: Voet van Afrika Marathon (Scratching the seven-year itch)

Race Date	Saturday 03 September 2022
Start Venue	Bredasdorp High School
Route Type	Point-to-point
Website	https://voetvanafrika.co.za/
Contact Details	admin@voetvanafrika.co.za
Distance Options	42\21\10\4 + 20 trail
Online Entries	https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=5654
Pre-entries Close	21 August 2022
Title Sponsor	None
Perm Numbers?	Yes (10 finishes)
Entry Fee	R 220
Extras?	–
Late Entries?	No
# of 2019/20 Finishers	284
Race Description	This is one that all real marathoners need to do at least once. The best summary I’ve heard of this route is, “The first half screws up your legs and the second half screws up your mind.” A unique route that takes you up and over the Soetmuisberg along farmland, gravel road, jeep tracks and mountain paths. After 25 kilometres surrounded by exquisite indigenous fynbos, there is a rude awakening as you are dumped onto the tar at Napier – and those who’ve counted the undulations to the finish at the Bredasdorp High School claim there are 16 hills over the last 17 kilometres. Whilst some races rebrand their catch phrase annually, the Voet has stuck with “The toughest race with the warmest heart!” for as long as I can remember (and having run 10 Voets I can confirm that this is not just a marketing slogan).
Why Run It?	Your chance to spot South Africa’s national plant (the protea) and national bird (the blue crane) during a marathon. Keep a look out for The Hemp Runner who will be running the four Voets in a row for Fit4.Rhinos.
How To Get There?	Fly to Cape Town; 180km (2h) drive from the airport to Bredasdorp
Accommodation Options	See attached flyer or check out lekkeslaap.co.za to book your accommodation in the area.
What Else To Do There?	Explore the Overberg, sample some local wines, go deep sea fishing and stand at southernmost tip of Africa (where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans officially meet). There is also plenty to do in the charming local villages of Struisbaai, Arniston and Napier. Take a short drive to the De Hoop Game Reserve to spot antelope, zebras and whales.
Race Flyer
Profile

Laingsburg Ultra

Detailed Race Report: Karoo 80k Ultra (Flood Levelling-Up in Laingsburg)

Note: Date confirmed – awaiting final details

Race Date	Saturday 17 September 2022
Start Venue	J.J.Ellis Sport Grounds
Route Type	Circular
Website	https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100051322436181
Contact Details	laingsburg@xsinet.co.za
Distance Options	80\21\12
Online Entries	?
Pre-entries Close	?
Title Sponsor	None
Perm Numbers?	Yes (10 finishes)
Entry Fee	?
Extras?	Goodie Bag
Late Entries?	Yes
# of 2019/20 Finishers	51
Race Description	Run an awesome 80km in the heart of the Great Karoo. A one of kind race with 15km of tar and the rest on quiet gravel farm roads while you enjoy the peace, beauty and serenity of the Karoo Desert. The route starts at an altitude of 642m and slowly climbs to 922m at the 44km mark – the good news is that “it’s all downhill from there”. If you’re lucky, the natural phenomenon of the spring wild flowers will be in full bloom during your run.
Why Run It?	Some people run half marathons, this is your chance to run a half hundred miler. At R1.25 this is also the cheapest “rand per kilometre” race in the country.
How To Get There?	1150km (11h) drive south along the N1 or fly to Cape Town and 265km (3h) drive / George and 230km (3h) drive.
Accommodation Options	Check out Google for B&B and hotel options
What Else To Do There?	Take a walking tour commemorating the flash flood of 1981; Visit the town’s three museums or nearby Matjiesfontein.
Race Flyer
Profile	Laingsburg_route_description

Vaal River City Marathon

Detailed Race Report: Vaal River City Marathon (Running circles around the Vaal Triangle)

Race date moved to 2 October.

Galaxy Bingo Wolfpack Marathon

Detailed Race Report: (The runt of the litter at) The Wolfpack Warriors Marathon

Race Date	Saturday 10 September 2022
Start Venue	Merensky School
Route Type	Circular
Website	https://www.facebook.com/Warriors-Wolfpack-Marathon-4-in-1-102960192094644
Contact Details	tracey@warriors.co.za
Distance Options	42\32\21\10
Online Entries	https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=5605
Pre-entries Close	31 August 2022
Title Sponsor	Galaxy Bingo
Perm Numbers?	No
Entry Fee	R 358
Extras?	Shirt (first 500 entries)
Late Entries?	Yes
# of 2021 Finishers	37
Race Description	The route starts with a picturesque ten kilometre out-and-back along the R36 from the Merensky School. Once back at the school, the remaining 32 kilometres are essentially a big loop around the Tzaneen Dam. The route is described by locals as being “Relatively flat.” However, this is term that must be heard with caution in this part of the world where you can rise and fall between the Lowveld and the Highveld during a parkrun. The Wolfpack Marathon is relatively flat compared to the other marathons in the area in the same way that Scarlett Johansson is relatively flat when compared with Dolly Parton.
Why Run It?	Run for a good cause and get in an early qualifier for next year’s Comrades.
How To Get There?	400km (4h30) drive mostly along the N1.
Accommodation Options	Check out Google for B&B and hotel options
What Else To Do There?	Explore the Haenertsburg Grasslands, Debengeni Falls and Agatha State Forest – with your options varying from a short exploratory walk to multi-day hikes. See the dense Magoebaskloof forest from above on a zip line canopy tour that includes three waterfall crossings over the Great Letaba River Gorge. If you want to get a closer inspection of the Letaba River, a visit to the Zwakala Microbrewery is highly recommended – the mountain river is the core ingredient of their handcrafted brews. The Agatha Crocodile Farm provides the opportunity to touch baby crocodiles as well as feed the adults – and if you do want to see these and other apex predators in their natural habitat, the Kruger National Park’s Phalaborwa Gate is just a one hour drive away.
Race Flyer
Profile

eMalahleni City Marathon

Race date confirmed – will update once detailed race information is received.

Elliot Madeira Marathon

Race Date	Sunday 25 September 2022
Start Venue	Bumbane Great Place, Mthatha, EC
Route Type	Point-to-point
Website	https://www.facebook.com/elliotmadeira.charityclub.9
Contact Details	mtshabet@yahoo.com; elliot.madeiracharityclub@gmail.com
Distance Options	42\21\10\5
Online Entries	https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1501397459
Pre-entries Close	17 September 2022
Title Sponsor	None
Perm Numbers?	No
Entry Fee	R 150
Extras?	Shirt
Late Entries?	Yes
# of 2019/20 Finishers	120
Race Description	A point-to-point race from the countryside into the heart of Mthatha over an undulating route. There’s a festival-like atmosphere at the finish with plenty of entertainment for the adults and kids.
Why Run It?	For those that want to run a marathon in every athletics province, this is one of only two standard marathons in the Transkei.
How To Get There?	Expensive flight into Mthatha or Fly to East London & 230km (3h15) drive to Mthatha
Accommodation Options	Free accommodation in local community halls for all athletes. Check out Google for B&B 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	Elliot Madiera 2022
Profile	Have requested.

For the most up to date marathon information check out: https://www.roadrunning.co.za/

 

 

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