This article provides detailed information on all South Africa’s October marathons and ultras including race descriptions, recommendations and travel information.
It’s a bit late so I’m just doing the basics this month. Will try to get the November / December article out with more time to spare!
A summary of all your choices is below:
There are eight standard marathon options including several brand new races. I have not had time to check details with race organisers this month but will update the blog with new info as I get it.
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!
Clarens Golden Gate Marathon
Detailed Race Report: Golden Gate Marathon (The National Park run)
| Race Date | Saturday 01 October 2022 |
| Start Venue | Glen Reenen Restcamp, Golden Gate National Park |
| Route Type | Out-and-back |
| Website | N/A |
| Contact Details | maluti.run@gmail.com |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | – |
| Pre-entries Close | – |
| Title Sponsor | None |
| Perm Numbers? | No |
| Entry Fee | R 350 |
| Extras? | – |
| Late Entries? | No |
| # of 2019/20 Finishers | 77 |
| Race Description | A hilly but beautiful out-and-back course through the stunning Golden Gate Highlands National Park (the whole route is on tar). This is the inaugural running of the event. |
| Why Run It? | Run a marathon inside the beautiful Golden Gate Highlands National Park. |
| How To Get There? | 300km (3h15 drive) south |
| Accommodation Options | Recommended by the organisers: Mountain Odyssey – 058 256 1480/1173 & www.infoclarens.com |
| What Else To Do There? | Clarens is a small town with plenty of charm and quaint shops. The Maluti Mountains surround the town providing scenic options like horseriding, quad biking, hiking, river rafting, bushman paintings and dinosaur trails. The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is also nearby. |
| Race Flyer | |
| Profile |
|
Diamond Marathon
Detailed Race Report: Search diamon Diamond Marathon (Roughing it amongst the diamonds)
| Race Date | Saturday 01 October 2022 |
| Start Venue | St Patricks’s CBC Sport Field |
| Route Type | Circular |
| Website | https://www.kimberleyharriers.co.za/ |
| Contact Details | info@kimberleyharriers.co.za |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | www.quicket.co.za |
| Pre-entries Close | – |
| Title Sponsor | – |
| Perm Numbers? | No |
| Entry Fee | R 250 |
| Extras? | – |
| Late Entries? | Yes (R20 extra for late entries; no race day entries) |
| # of 2019/20 Finishers | 156 |
| Race Description | Most humans learn walk when they are one years old. Kimberley Harriers celebrated their first birthday with a marathon almost half a decade ago and they’ve now got the oldest marathon in the Northern Cape. This year is the 50th running of the Diamond Marathon – a fast and flat route with the friendly runners from Kimberley. The race also has one of the longest standing men’s records: 2:19:05 set 30 years ago by a very young Gert Thys who was running as a junior! |
| Why Run It? | Run the Golden Jubilee of the Diamond Marathon in 2020. There are not many marathons on the planet that get to turn 50 and this may be the smallest – with just 50 finishers in 2018 (and 156 in 2019). I am already planning ahead for the 60th edition in 2030 as it would be quite something to run the Diamond Jubilee of the Diamond Marathon! |
| How To Get There? | 500km (5h) drive or 1h flight (approx R2,000 return) |
| Accommodation Options | Recommended by the organisers: Mandior Manor https://mondiormanor.co.za/ Bishops Lodge https://bishopslodge.co.za/ Ambassador Lodge https://www.ambassadorlodge.co.za/ |
| What Else To Do There? | Go digging for diamonds at the ‘Big Hole’ complex; Check out the historic battlefields as well as various memorials and museums; Have a beer at the Star of the West – the oldest pub in South Africa. There are also a few game viewing options within close driving distance. |
| Race Flyer | |
| Profile |
|
Vaal River City Marathon
Detailed Race Report: Vaal River City Marathon (Running circles around the Vaal Triangle)
| Race Date | Sunday 02 October 2022 |
| Start Venue | Izak Steyl Staduim Vbp |
| Route Type | Double-lapper |
| Website | https://www.vaalrivercitymarathon.com/ |
| Contact Details | info@vaalrivercitymarathon.co.za |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=4583 |
| Pre-entries Close | ? |
| Title Sponsor | Rand Water http://www.randwater.co.za/ |
| Perm Numbers? | ? |
| Entry Fee | R 290 |
| Extras? | Shirt (first 2,000 entries) |
| Late Entries? | ? |
| # of 2019/20 Finishers | 1799 |
| Race Description | Vanderbijlpark was the missing connection in the Vaal Triangle dot-to-dot marathon puzzle until the Vaal River City Marathon was added to the calendar in 2017 (the other dots being the well-established Sasolburg and Vaal Marathons). Despite the name, Vaal River City, you should not expect to see a river of any kind during the race and, depending on your definition of civilisation, it is also debatable whether you see a city either. Being the first chance to run a marathon in Gauteng since the beginning of May, the event has already become very popular and race organisation remained faultless despite doubling participants to over 2,500 across all events in 2018. Vanderbijlpark makes Benoni look like the French Riviera and the fast and flat double-lapper is unlikely to provide any visual distractions – but the runners are full of post-Comrades chatter so this is a great chance to greet some old friends and make some new ones. |
| Why Run It? | Work on your mental game with two laps around Vanderbijlpark. |
| How To Get There? | 70km (1h) drive south with many access points |
| 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 | |
| Profile |
Shikhumba Filling Marathon
| Race Date | Saturday 08 October 2022 |
| Start Venue | Shikhuma Filling Station |
| Route Type | Out-and-back |
| Website | http://www.shikhumbamarathon.co.za/ |
| Contact Details | shikhumbamarathon@gmail.com |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | http://www.shikhumbamarathon.co.za/registration.html |
| Pre-entries Close | ? |
| Title Sponsor | Shikhumba Filling Station https://www.facebook.com/Shikhumba-Filling-Station-445199285684891/ |
| Perm Numbers? | No |
| Entry Fee | R 300 |
| Extras? | Dri-fit Shirt, Towel (first 100 entries) |
| Late Entries? | Yes |
| # of 2019/20 Finishers | 122 |
| Race Description | A well organised event through the villages of rural Limpopo. |
| Why Run It? | Enjoy a rural running experience and spend some time watching the survival of the fittest in the Kruger National Park afterwards. |
| How To Get There? | 500km (5h30) drive north east |
| Accommodation Options | Recommended by organiser: Xiska Guest House; Mashamba Country Lodge; Kulani Country Lodge |
| What Else To Do There? | The race is on the doorstep of the Kruger National Park so take some time out on safari after the marathon or enjoy a rich cultural experience at Baleni Rest Camp (just 5km away). |
| Race Flyer | |
| Profile |
Cape Town Marathon
Detailed Race Report: Cape Town Marathon (Give trees a chance)
| Race Date | Saturday 15 October 2022 |
| Start Venue | Beach Road, Green Point (next to Haul Road) |
| Route Type | Circular |
| Website | https://www.capetownmarathon.com/ |
| Contact Details | Web Form |
| Distance Options | 42\10 + 22\12 trail |
| Online Entries | https://enter.capetownmarathon.com/ |
| Pre-entries Close | ? |
| Title Sponsor | Sanlam www.sanlam.co.za |
| Perm Numbers? | Yes (10 finishes) |
| Entry Fee | R 440 |
| Extras? | Shirt; Goodie Bag |
| Late Entries? | No |
| # of 2019/20 Finishers | 9584 |
| Race Description | For South Africans, this is your chance to experience a big city marathon without having to foot a big city travel bill. For international runners, this is your chance to plan a holiday in South Africa’s tourist mecca whilst enjoying a fantastic, world-class marathon experience. The Cape Town Marathon is Africa’s only IAAF Gold label status marathon and the super-speedy course boasts the fastest official marathon times run on South African soil. The race starts at one of Cape Town’s most popular tourist attractions, the V&A Waterfront, where 10,000 runners are released onto the Atlantic Seaboard. The early nerves are calmed by the cool sea breeze whilst the exuberant sounds of excited runner chit-chat harmonise to the beat of the crashing waves as one heads up Sea Point Promenade. From there it’s into the city, where a cosmopolitan mix of modern skyscrapers and iconic historical landmarks like the Mount Nelson Hotel, South African National Gallery, South African Holocaust Museum, St Mary’s Cathedral, Houses of Parliament, City Gardens, City Hall, District Six and the Castle of Good Hope provide a visual extravaganza whilst Signal Hill watches over your progress. Then it’s straight down Main Road, past Groote Schuur Hospital (where Dr. Chris Barnard performed the world’s first human to human heart transplant) and into the southern suburbs. Catch a glimpse of the hallowed turf of Newlands Cricket Ground as you circle around and start heading back towards the city centre. This area is home many top academic and sporting schools – and the route passes several of these outstanding institutions including the finest boys’ school in the country, Rondebosch. In the interests of gender neutrality, it’s appropriate to mention some of the great girls’ and co-ed schools passed along the route like Rustenberg, Westerford, San Souci, Groote Schuur and Bishops Diocesan College. Your journey back into the city centre is delayed via a quick detour around Rondebosch Common – providing a chance to appreciate some critically endangered biodiversity as you loop around one of the last surviving pockets of Cape Flats Sand Fynbos. The incredible panorama of Table Mountain, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, provides the backdrop for your journey home as the noise, support and entertainment steadily increases all the way back to the finish line at Green Point Stadium. |
| Why Run It? | Experience African gold, the only IAAF Gold label status marathon, by running around one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The race won the 2018 Mass Participation Event of the Year (Sports Industry Awards) and 2018 Event of the Year (Runners World South Africa) so come and see what all the fuss is about! For the carbon conscious, this is also a certified Green marathon – the 2018 event achieved zero waste to landfill and is certified climate neutral. |
| How To Get There? | Fly to Cape Town; 20km drive from the airport to the Waterfront. |
| Accommodation Options | Tsogo Sun Waterfront is race hotel, Tsogo Hotels offer special packages to runners https://www.tsogosun.com/offers/cape-town-marathon |
| What Else To Do There? | Cape Town is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Check out travel information on race website (https://www.capetownmarathon.com/travel/travel-tourism/) and the Cape Town Tourism site (https://www.capetown.travel/) for options. |
| Race Flyer | |
| Profile |
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountain Marathon
| Race Date | Saturday 22 October 2022 |
| Start Venue | Barberton Coronation Park (Rugby Fields), President Street, Barberton |
| Route Type | Point-to-point |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/BellasAthleticsClub |
| Contact Details | info@makhonjwamountain.co.za |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | https://www.entryninja.com/events/78267-2022-barberton-4-in-1 |
| Pre-entries Close | ? |
| Title Sponsor | |
| Perm Numbers? | No |
| Entry Fee | R 350 |
| Extras? | Shirt (first 50 entries) |
| Late Entries? | ? |
| # of 2019/20 Finishers | N/A |
| Race Description | ? |
| Why Run It? | ? |
| How To Get There? | 350km (4h) east along the N4. |
| Accommodation Options | Check out Google for B&B and hotel options |
| What Else To Do There? | ? |
| Race Flyer |  |
| Profile |  |
Letsgo Potch!
| Race Date | Saturday 29 October 2022 |
| Start Venue | Shofar Christian Church, 9 Gerrit Decker Street, Potchefstroom |
| Route Type | Out-and-back |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/letsgopotch/ |
| Contact Details | potchefstroom@shofaronline.org |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | https://www.entryninja.com/events/78050-letsgo-potch-2022 |
| Pre-entries Close | 25 October 2022 |
| Title Sponsor | |
| Perm Numbers? | No |
| Entry Fee | R 260 |
| Extras? | ? |
| Late Entries? | Yes |
| # of 2019/20 Finishers | N/A |
| Race Description | ? |
| Why Run It? | ? |
| How To Get There? | 170km (2h) drive along the N12. |
| Accommodation Options | Check out Google for B&B and hotel options |
| What Else To Do There? | ? |
| Race Flyer |  |
| Profile |
Umzila Ka Tambo Marathon
| Race Date | Saturday 29 October 2022 |
| Start Venue | OR Tambo Cultural Village, Bizana |
| Route Type | Point-to-point |
| Website | – |
| Contact Details | lungelo.nogenga@ecsrac.gov.za |
| Distance Options | 42\21\10\5 |
| Online Entries | https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1519259716 |
| Pre-entries Close | ? |
| Title Sponsor | |
| Perm Numbers? | No |
| Entry Fee | R 110 |
| Extras? | ? |
| Late Entries? | ? |
| # of 2019/20 Finishers | N/A |
| Race Description | ? |
| Why Run It? | ? |
| How To Get There? | 800km (8h15) drive to Durban and then down the South Coast or fly to Durban and 220km (2h40) drive. |
| Accommodation Options | Check out Google for B&B and hotel options |
| What Else To Do There? | ? |
| Race Flyer | |
| Profile |
The 56th version of Amathole Marathon from Stutterheim to King Williams Town on the R346 was held on the 9 October 2022 as a qualifier for both 2023 Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons. It’s the 2nd oldest marathon in RSA and it attracted 74 runners.
Thanks Sicelo, I’ll update my records. I still need to make another trip down to the Eastern Cape to run the Amathole!